The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 20th December 2025

The Mandarin’s Saturday selections from Haydock Park & Ascot

Haydock Park

Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase 2.05
Top Of The Bill
There was plenty to like about Top Of The Bill’s win here last month, making all and beating Saladin’s Son by 7 lengths. More on his plate now, carrying a penalty for that win, and it has to be said that Saladin’s Son is markedly better off at the weights, but I’ll take the chance that Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies’s gelding has more to come over fences. It can be hard work on soft ground around Haydock Park, but Top Of The Bill does have some form on deep ground, so is taken to defy the penalty and score once more.

Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 2.40
Supreme Malinas
Not seen since beating the reopposing A Path To Rhonda on her hurdling bow at Exeter, Dan Skelton’s Supreme Malinas can go in again. It’s taken on trust that she’s going to cope with this sticky going at Haydock Park, but it’s a fair trek up from the Alcester handler’s base, and in Tristan Durrell they have an excellent second jockey at the yard, who is picking up winners for fun as we approach the busy winter schedule. Harry Derham’s Jackie Hobbs and Irish raider Walks The Talk from John McConnell’s yard complete my three, but Supreme Malinas gets the nod.

Ascot

Howden Graduation Chase 12.40
Firefox
Just three for the opener at Ascot, but a trappy little race it is. I do think that I’ll give preference to Gordon Elliott’s Firefox who, on balance, makes the most appeal on this soft ground. There’s no doubting the Cullentra yard’s form, and given the effort taken to get Firefox over for this Graduation Chase before a likely tilt at the King George on Kempton’s Boxing Day card, before that big date, there’s a plan in action. Of course, it’s a lot to do with who Firefox faces here, with James Du Berlais needing to improve on a lowly sixth in the John Durkan last time out, and Iroko just getting going on a campaign that is all about the Grand National in April, so it’s safe to assume that this will be a confidence boosting ride for the selection. Firefox to win at a canter, if I’m right!

Howden Handicap Chase 1.50
The Famous Five
I’m going to take my chance on the well handicapped Venetia Williams runner The Famous Five for this Howden handicap Chase, given these conditions. The top weights here, Paul Nicholls’ Matterhorn and Ben Pauling’s Bad would probably prefer better ground, though there is no more rain in the forecast, and I have to say that both these trainers are riding high in a purple patch of form. However, they both have to give lumps of weight to The Famous Five, and that could be telling coming up Ascot’s stiff finish. Scarface would be a solid each way angle, if that’s your betting strategy, and all eight declared set off, but The Famous Five gets my win vote.

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.25
Honesty Policy (nap)
A fascinating race for the feature, but I’m afraid for home backers this one’s going back to Ireland with Honesty Policy. Gordon Elliott’s second season hurdler is into open company here, and totally unexposed at this trip with no concerns over the ground must have a huge shout. Seasoned stayers Strong Leader and Impose Toi will have their supporters, and arrive with race fitness guaranteed after filling the the first two spots in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, but they are both fully out there and might be caught by surprise when looking at each other when push comes to shove, and Honesty Policy looms up. Potters Charm tries this trip for the first time, which I take as a positive move, while Crambo goes for a third successive win in this, so are my each way picks. But for the win, I’ll chance my arm with the young pretender, Honesty Policy.

Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.00
Victtorino (nb)
I’ll be praying to the Sun Gods that the rain stays away at Ascot on Saturday, because if it does, Victtorino is the one to keep on side in this Silver Cup. It’s horses for courses here as Venetia Williams dual race winner lines up at his favourite track, and although his run in the Hennessey at Newbury Park wasn’t the most convincing, Victtorino is a different beast around here, so I’m prepared to take the chance that he’s going to get the hat-trick. However, the ground’s the big factor here, so expect the in form Ben Pauling to have a say with the well weighted Pic Roc, while Jonjo & AJ O’Neill’s Johhywho will have plenty of backers and joins my shortlist. A cracker of a Handicap Chase, but I’ll bet Victtorino won’t be far away on his favoured hunting ground!

Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3.35
Fiercely Proud
Fiercely Proud did look in need of the run when over 13 lengths adrift of Alexei in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month, but can only come on for that run. But, Fiercely Proud, last year’s winner, has just about evened out that winning distance on the weights here with Alexei from the Greatwood, and that could be enough to give Ben Pauling yet another big race success is what is proving to be a stellar year for the Naunton Downs yard. Mondo Man has topped the ante post markets, while Joe Tizzard’s Alexei will have plenty of backing in the hat-trick bid, but Fiercely Proud gets the nudge from me.

The Mandarin