The pick of the prices in the Saturday handicaps....

Friday, 4th September 2026

The pick of the prices in the Saturday handicaps….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on ITV….

I’m on ASHNAK in the 3.05 at Haydock – up at 11s….

…. and I’m on THE LIFFEY at 10s in the 2.20 at Kempton….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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The horses with least experience head the betting for tomorrow’s Old Borough Cup at Haydock (3.05)….

…. and you can see why….

Aegean Prince and Finalise are both lightly raced….

…. both have been placed at Listed class….

…. they both run out of Premiership yards….

…. and both will be expected to kick on and progress….

But I haven’t wasted too much time thinking about them….

…. whatever they are and whatever they might be – they’re too short in the betting for my purposes….

The one that interests me at the prices is ASHNAK….

He doubtless needs to improve on what he’s shown so far since joining David O’Meara from France….

…. but I reckon tomorrow’s softer ground represents a definite boost factor for him….

…. and he can outrun the 11s….

Admittedly, the gallop was pedestrian when he went down 2-lengths to Square Necker at Ayr in June….

…. but he managed the soft ground that day – no problem….

…. and when you consider bits of back form in France in easier conditions….

…. there’s a fair chance the sodden track at Haydock tomorrow offers a decent opportunity to take a step forward….

It was certainly way too fast for him at York last time….

…. where he ran down the field in a big handicap….

…. having seen support in the betting ahead of the off….

My other bet comes in the London Mile Series Final at Kempton (2.20)….

…. where I’m backing my old friend THE LIFFEY at the general 10s….

I’m not knocking the horses at the top of the market for this….

…. one of them might very well take a big step forward tomorrow….

But – as of right now – none has experience at this kind of level….

…. and I’m happy to oppose them….

The Liffey does have a little solid experience to speak of….

…. running a cracker at Goodwood last time – finding just one too good in a 20-strong handicap run for good money….

I’d put him up at a big price for that race….

…. because I’d liked his attitude the time before at Kempton….

….  where he’d gone through horses on the straight and then kicked on strong to the line….

I know he’s grown in confidence since his move to Hayley Burton’s yard….

…. I like the step up to a mile….

…. and – whilst he’s up 2lb for that Goodwood run – he remains nicely treated on a mark of 91….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

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