ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 17th January 2026 Best Bets for Ascot & Haydock

The Grade One Clarence House Chase headlines the ITV action from Ascot on Saturday, 17th January 2026. The second day of The Winter Million Festival also features action from Haydock.

We have gone through the races televised on Saturday and have picked out our ITV horse racing tips. You can find our selections, an ITV Racing Accumulator, and the best bookmaker offers here.

Our acca for Saturday's ITV coverage includes a selection in the Grade One Clarence House Chase. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator for Saturday:

1. Hurricane Pat - 13:25 - Haydock
2. La Conquiere - 13:40 - Ascot
3. Il Etait Temps - 15:30 - Ascot

ITV’s first race on Saturday comes from Haydock, with a potential informative renewal of the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle.

Old Park Star’s win at Cheltenham was impressive, but that form doesn’t look up to much. Therefore, Hurricane Pat could be the wise selection. The six-year-old for the Gary & Josh Moore yard is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, and has seamlessly gone about his business.

He jumped smoothly in Listed company over two miles at Sandown last time out, beating Soldier Reeves by five lengths. That form looks strong, with Sober Glory recently coming out and winning impressively.

ITV’s coverage from Ascot kicks off with the Grade Two Warfield Mares’ Hurdle.

La Conquiere is an interesting runner for the Jamie Snowden yard, and the novice will defend her unbeaten record in open company. She has looked very progressive on her two starts over hurdles, including most recently when easily beating Charisma Cat by three lengths in a Listed race at Newbury.

Nurse Susan is an obvious threat, but the selection could be better suited to the trip at Ascot.

The Peter Marsh Handicap Chase looks like an interesting race this weekend, and plenty have fighting chances.

However, Richmond Lake could be a standout chance for the in-form combination of Donald McCain and Brian Hughes. The ten-year-old will relish this step up in trip after running with great credit last time when second over two miles and four at Aintree.

Wind surgery appears to have had a positive impact after two place finishes this season, and his mark looks exploitable.

The Bet365 Handicap Chase is the next race at Ascot, with nine runners set to tackle the two-mile and five-furlong test.

Bad is a specialist at right-handed tracks, and looks on a good mark after finishing fourth over two miles and three at Ascot before Christmas. He has won three from eleven starts over fences, and was a fine fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November.

Ben Pauling’s yard is among the winners, and there will be no surprise to see a big run from the seven-year-old.

A competitive handicap over an extended three miles rounds off the ITV coverage from Haydock. At a price, Icare Allen could be preferred to bounce back to form for the Jonjo & AJ O’Neill yard.

The eight-year-old remains unexposed over this trip, and plenty of positives could have been taken from his third over two miles and five at Wetherby on Boxing Day when just two lengths behind the winner.

This step back up in trip is a plus, and this mark helps his chances.

The Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle will involve a field of ten runners, with an extended two miles and three furlongs covered. Moveit Like Minnie could be back on a handy mark.

The nine-year-old acts at the track, finishing within three lengths of the talented Alexei over a mile and seven furlongs earlier this season. Looked to improve following a step up in trip, but could only finish fifth at Hereford last time.

Ascot suits better than that course, and no surprise if he plays a role.

The big race of the day comes in the form of the Grade One Clarence House Chase. Thistle Ask is interesting on this step up in class, and he makes plenty of appeal in a Forecast with the selection.

However, Il Etait Temps has been the standout two-mile chaser this season, and the Willie Mullins yard is beginning to click into gear. The eight-year-old is clear on ratings, and easily dispatched Jonbon in the Grade One Tingle Creek when finishing nine lengths clear.

The eight-year-old has now won seven from nine over fences, and Paul Townend makes the journey to Ascot to take the ride.