My best picks in the Saturday betting heats....

Friday, 21st November 2025

My best picks in the Saturday betting heats….

Why I don’t do what I don’t do….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s betting heats….

I’m on NAVAJO INDY in the 2.25 at Haydock – up at 10s….

…. I’m on REGARDE at 6s in the 2.05 at Ascot….

…. and I’m on SALADINS SON at 15/2 & 7s in the 3.35 at Haydock….

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 Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock (2.25) is – as you’d expect – a really competitive affair….

…. and a case could easily be made for a whole stack of them….

The one that appeals to me is NAVAJO INDY at the general 10s….

He ran a cracker on his return at Cheltenham last month….

…. finding just French Ship – who had a fitness edge – too good in a competitive big-field affair….

That was his first go at the 2m4f trip….

…. but he very much gave the impression – with the way he stuck on in the closing stages – that he will appreciate further still….

I’m mindful that he was declared to run over 3m in a valuable race at Aintree in April – but got pulled out because he had a bruised foot….

…. and it looks like a tilt at a decent pot over this kind of trip has been the plan for a while….

Tom Symonds is in good form, and Gavin Sheehan is too – he rides the track well – and the ground won’t be an issue….

I’m backing Jamie Snowden’s REGARDE at 6s in the Berkshire National Handicap Chase at Ascot (2.05)….

I think plenty was expected of the 8yo at Cheltenham on seasonal debut….

…. Barry O’Neill – a top Irish amateur – was booked for the ride….

…. and the horse ran a cracker – finishing 3/18 and beaten just 1.25 lengths….

The trip was probably on the short side for him that day and this greater test will suit….

He’s only had two goes at proper marathon trips….

…. he won the first at Haydock – albeit in a small field – and then backed up at Cheltenham where he found just Ask Brewster (now 17lb higher in the rankings) too good….

He’s just 2lb higher tomorrow – with a 3lb claimer negating that – and he’s a likely improver as he grows into these greater tests….

He gets chunks of weights from all his fancied rivals and – if the ground is good enough – I see him running a big one….

The Sam Thomas trained Shomen Uchi has captured the market’s affection in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Haydock (3.35)….

…. following a successful chase debut at Carlisle – his first go on the track for two years. No problem….

He steps up tomorrow to a trip you’d expect him to improve for – if his hurdling form is anything to go by….

…. and he also steps up in terms of opposition….

There’s more of it for a start – and it is opposition with more experience of fencing in the heat of battle than those horses he took out in Cumbria….

They think a lot of him at home, and he may well prove up to the task in a first-time tongue tie….

…. but it won’t be a cakewalk….

…. and I prefer to back another runner with plenty of upside – at a better price. I’m on SALADINS SON at 15/2 & 7s….

Anthony Honeyball’s charge has done absolutely nothing wrong in his own short chasing career to date….

…. and he strikes as an up-and-coming chaser who can rate a whole lot higher on the official scale than a current mark of 122 – whilst getting plenty of weight off the favourite tomorrow….

There should be a bit of rain through the early hours and into tomorrow morning which will keep the ground on the softer side – and that will suit….

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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….

Against the Crowd