The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon

GOOD THING

(12.40 Haydock)

There is likely to be a decent pace on in this staying chase and that should set it up for Back To The Thatch, who hasn't been the easiest to train, had problems with his jumping but is full of talent. Henry Daly's seven-year-old notched an impressive 11-length win on heavy ground at Chepstow last January before looking likely to go close in the Eider Chase until falling at the 16th fence. It took him a couple of runs to return to form after that but he finished a fine second at this course in December and returned from a long break to take an eyecatching seventh at Cheltenham last month. With that run under his belt and 2lb drop in the handicap, Back To The Thatch should go very close.

GOOD THING

(2.25 Haydock)

This is a really good edition of the Grade 3 handicap hurdle and although I have a serious soft spot for Tedham and still believe him to be well handicapped, his price has gone now (5-1 from 20-1 earlier in the week) and preference is for Lisnagar Oscar. A talented novice hurdler last season who landed a Grade 2 over this course and distance by ten lengths, Lisnagar Oscar hasn't taken to fences at all this season and it is worth putting a line through both those starts (albeit not disgraced on the first). His hurdling mark has dropped 2lb since he was last seen in this sphere and a return to that kind of form would see him lead these a merry dance over the last.

EYECATCHER

(12.55 Ascot)

Paul Nicholls' runners have been improving bundles for their first runs of the season this year and hopefully that will be the case for Darling Maltaix, who returns to a track he loves off a workable mark. He steps up in trip, which is a slight concern given he has failed to settle in the past, but providing they go a decent gallop, Darling Maltaix should be able to get plenty of cover out the back and hopefully pounce in the straight. His reappearance fourth (lost a shoe) was encouraging and Lorcan Williams gets on brilliantly with him.

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