Tanya Stevenson's Weekend Tips For Ascot And Haydock

Tanya Stevenson's Selections For Saturday

• Selection 1: 14:40 Ascot (Sat) - Crambo - (Each-Way - Betting Without Wodhooh)
• Selection 2: 12:08 Haydock (Sat) - Masked Man
• Selection 3: Haydock Each-Way Accumulator - 12:40 Sunnyvilla, 1:15 Florida Dreams, 2:25 Nab Wood, 3:35 Famous Bridge

Nine runners for the Ascot Hurdle, it's unbelievable! Over the last 10 years, the average field size has been five! 

I'm astounded and pleased; there are actually options for an each-way bet. Many will simply be satisfied siding with the wonder mare Wodhooh, and who would blame them?

She has been faultless, with seven wins from eight runs over hurdles, and her only defeat was to Lossiemouth in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. It’s not the strongest of races, and there may be a big danger hidden in plain sight.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 1: Ascot 14:40 (Sat) - Crambo - Each-Way (Betting Without Wodhooh)

Wodhooh, for all her brilliance, was only unleashed in her first Grade 1 last time out; she has progressed into the Graded level and now sits snugly for challengers to come and take her on.

Crambo has competed in eight Grade 1 races, winning two. Betting apps have probably written him off due to his last three runs, but Fergal O’Brien is not in peak form, and to see him at his best, he needs three miles.

But is that really the case? He is unbeaten over two miles to two miles one furlong, so it's just a case of when Jonathan Burke produces him into the race.

Crambo is best when fresh, with four wins from four after an absence of over 180 days. He hates Cheltenham, so hopefully he won't go there again!

Putting his form under the microscope, he needs to go right-handed, confirmed by his winning six of his seven races going that way round.

Finally, he is unbeaten at Ascot, including two Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdles. There are those betting without Wodhooh and even without Wodhooh and Celtic Dino, he’s a fair price in either market.

I'll have a small interest each-way and cheer him on from Haydock.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 2: Haydock 12:08 (Sat) - Masked Man

This is another big Saturday, and there are big names everywhere, so there is a chance that good horses are missed.

Apologies now, as Masked Man is very short, but should he be shorter?  

He impressed at Chepstow on his first appearance, galloping away from Blue Carpet, even after a mistake at the final hurdle.

To enhance his reputation, Blue Carpet has since won at Wetherby (Blue Carpet is in the 12.25 at Ascot on Saturday).

Masked Man can only keep improving, but Haydock will be a totally different test.  

The ground will be tacky, and the course is much smaller than Chepstow, but the turn for home and the run from the last should suit.  

If he does kick on from that Chepstow run, expect some Festival quotes.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 3: Haydock Each-Way Accumulator - 12:40 Sunnyvilla, 1:15 Florida Dreams, 2:25 Nab Wood, 3:35 Famous Bridge 

Nicky Richards didn’t have a winner from May to the end of October, where he was nil from 43, but that doesn't tell the whole story.

Twenty of those 43 runners finished either second or third. November has been completely different, with seven winners from 19 runners.

Fingers tightly crossed that eight stand their ground in Haydock’s 12.40 as my thought process has me believing his four runners at the venue could all reach the frame.

Sunnyvilla starts the day off for Nicky, and he is very experienced over fences, having had 18 races with four victories.  

He won over course and distance in December 2024, and he needs a similar fluent front-running performance.

Florida Dreams last won in October 2024 at Hexham. A year later, he went chasing at that very same meeting, finishing as runner-up.

He was quickly put back over hurdles at Carlisle, where he just failed to concede six pounds to Hartington (a major player in the 2.25 on Saturday).

He is better off at the weights with The Four Sixes on their meeting at Ayr in April.

Nab Wood takes a big step up in grade and could still have more in the tank after his Ayr win on seasonal debut.

He will be played late, as I feel he was only doing enough last time out. On occasions, his hurdling leaves you looking through your fingers. but his speed in between the obstacles is there. 

Is he good enough? I will be at Haydock giving him a cheer.

Behind Nab Wood at Ayr was Famous Bridge; he had missed his intended Kelso return due to the ground. 

Hurdles are not his discipline, although watching from the stands at Ayr, he did well to keep tabs on his rivals, and he was only beaten just under 14 lengths.

He was allowed to finish in his own time over the last, and I jotted down Haydock next for him. He won the 2023 running of the 3:35.

One For The Notebook

Gringo d’Aubrelle caught the eye at Navan on Sunday, and it's worth a watch.

He was ridden very quietly and still managed to creep into view in fifth in a 19-runner handicap hurdle. 

Back in 2021, he was third in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in Stage Star’s year.

Not long after, he was off the course for 1,020 days.  

He had an unsuccessful foray over fences, trying various distances.

The run picked out was his seasonal debut. 

He was a big price, 28/1, though he had all the traits; he should have been shorter and ought to be going in the tracker.