ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 20th December 2025 Best Bets for Ascot & Haydock

The final Saturday of ITV Racing coverage before Christmas is set for 20th December. The Grade One Long Walk Hurdle headlines Ascot's card, while two races from Haydock will also be televised.

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 three selections from Ascot, including a runner in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator for Saturday:

1. Bad - 13:50 - Ascot
2. Strong Leader - 14:25 - Ascot
3. Johnnywho - 15:00 - Ascot

ITV’s coverage on the final Saturday before Christmas kicks off with the Howden Handicap Chase over two miles and three.

Ben Pauling’s yard is enjoying an excellent period, striking at 30%, and Bad could be primed to fire again over his preferred distance.

The six-year-old has won three from ten over fences, and should relish being back at a favourable track after finishing fifth at Cheltenham last month.

Was a clear winner over two miles and two on reappearance, jumping with more fluency than he had for a while. Typically goes well at Ascot, finishing second on chase debut here last year. Still looks well handicapped, and could go well from the front with Ben Jones.

ITV also covers two races from Haydock this weekend, including the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

My Silver Lining could be back on an attractive mark for trainer Emma Lavelle, with James Best booked to take the ride. She jumped well over an extended three miles and five at Ascot last month, before fading in the closing stages to take third.

This trip could be ideal, having run well in defeat over three miles and one at Hereford last December. She is on a workable mark, and there would be little surprise if this is the time she fires.

The feature on Saturday comes in the form of the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle. Impose Toi got the better of Strong Leader at Newbury last time, but the Olly Murphy runner was giving plenty of weight away and only finished a half length down.

He is preferred to reverse the form with that runner at Ascot on these terms. Sean Bowen is booked to take the ride on the eight-year-old, who has previously won well at the course in the past when second behind Blueking d’Oroux.

Ascot should suit his chances better than most, and he could be the now horse rather than one to take forward into the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Walks The Talk is a fascinating contender in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle from Haydock on Saturday.

The John McConnell runner is unbeaten in two starts over obstacles, and she couldn’t have been more impressive over an extended two miles and six at Kelso last time when beating Tamarind Bay.

This drop back in trip isn’t a negative, having won over two miles and four on hurdles debut in September at Roscommon. Has a very unexposed profile, and plenty to like about her chances.

A competitive renewal of the Silver Cup Handicap Chase is set for Ascot on Saturday, with plenty having leading claims. I like Deep Cave, but the yard’s form is a major issue.

Therefore, Johnnywho could be an interesting alternative for the Jonjo & AJ O’Neill yard. The eight-year-old was progressive over fences last season, running well in some big handicaps throughout the season, including when a neck second behind Daily Present in the Kim Muir.

Returned to action with a decent enough effort over an unsuited two miles and five at Aintree. Jumped well and ran admirably from top weight on that day. Will be suited by this step back up in trip, and I’m convinced he’ll land a big purse sooner or later.

ITV’s coverage on Saturday concludes with a red-hot handicap hurdle over an extended mile and seven. Alexei will be tough to beat even off top weight, but Fiercely Proud should be capable of running a better race than he did in the Greatwood Hurdle on these terms.

The Ben Pauling runner was fifth in the Greatwood after tiring on his first run back in the closing stages. Has bundles of ability and was a course and distance winner at this meet last season when beating Kabral Du Mathan by a short head in a handicap hurdle.

Weighted to have a say this weekend, and the yard’s form only enhances his claims.