Weekend Winners - 14.02.2026

Saturday's National Hunt preview with Ascot and Haydock tips, including the Ascot Chase, Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase and Rendlesham Hurdle.

Saturday looks an absolute belter with Ascot and Haydock putting on a proper afternoon of quality National Hunt racing. We’ve got Grade 1 and Grade 2 action, some small but fascinating fields, and a few horses who could easily have Cheltenham on their agenda. It’s the type of card where reputations can be strengthened and Festival plans can become a lot clearer. From proven stars to progressive horses still on the up, there’s a really nice blend of class and intrigue. Here are my thoughts on how it could unfold:

1.50 Ascot - IJF Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

It’s undoubtedly going to be tough work for the four runners that go to post on Saturday but in my opinion, this is a great chance for THOMAS MOR to get back to winning ways after a brave effort behind Kitzbuhel in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over Christmas. A 50 day break won’t do his chances in this any harm and a repeat of his run here will see him win his second chase over fences and Ascot too. Next in the market is Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Kid who won over course and distance in taking style 28 days ago. He gets three pounds from the favourite but will need all of that plus more if he wants to come out on top. Both Western Knight and Crest Of Fortune are solid horses who round off the field but have plenty to find on official ratings with the favourite and it would be a minor shock if they were to feature at the finish.

3.00 Ascot - Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

Eleven take their chance here and Dan Skelton’s Joyeux Machin tops the market after an unlucky defeat in The Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster late last month. Although he fell, he was going incredibly well at the time of falling and the fact that he is back out fairly sharpish suggests he is back in rude health at home. However, I am against him in this and think JIPCOT will keep the O’Neill’s in the winners enclosure after a great few weeks. There is no doubt that the yard was under pressure following a luckless start to the National Hunt season but patience is usually rewarded and it seems to be doing just that at the moment. He gets the nod whilst Threeunderthrufive could be a live player for the places at a huge price. The handicapper seems to be relenting so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run well.

3.35 Ascot - Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1)

This looks to be a match race on paper and one of the stalwarts of the National Hunt sphere JONBON makes his reappearance following another Grade 1 success when beating Thistle Ask here in January. That was a gruelling test but his incredible record speaks for itself and should he win once again on Saturday, he will take his winning prize money to over £1.6 million which is a remarkable effort. He has to beat course specialist Pic D’Orhy though who is seemingly in great order according to recent comments by his trainer. He must put a poor effort behind Jango Baie behind him but I would expect a bold bid from the front under Harry Cobden.

3.05 Haydock - Zyn Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2)

This is all about KABRAL DU MATHAN, who I am pleasantly surprised to see rock up here. After comments made by his trainer Dan Skelton suggested that he would be sidestepping Cheltenham to run at Fontwell and then Aintree, the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival could be appealing if he wins easily on Saturday. He looked devastatingly good at Cheltenham on New Years Day and it’s hard to not fancy him in a Stayers Hurdle division which is begging to be taken over given the mix of results in recent years. I expect Kabral Du Mathan to win on Saturday and if given the green light to run at the Cheltenham Festival, I think he will win that too!