Simon Holt: Don't miss Mr Antolini at Ascot

Recommended Bets: Saturday December 22

2pts win Mr Antolini in 3.35 Ascot at 12/1

2pts win Clan Legend in 2.40 Haydock at 9/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

MR ANTOLINI nearly did us a good turn when beaten three-quarters of a length by the promising Black Mischief at Haydock last month and is fancied to go one better on softer ground in the Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

The ex-Irish-trained gelding has done nothing but improve since being sent to Nigel Twiston-Davies last season and, in testing conditions, narrowly took advantage of a large weight concession from the smart Call Me Lord in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last March.

Two efforts this season suggest that Mr Antolini is still on an upward curve: he travelled well until running out of steam at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs on his reappearance (form worked out well) and then battled on gamely at Haydock (2m3f) finishing just ahead of course specialist Chti Balko with the previous Chepstow winner Garo De Juilley back in fourth.

Meanwhile, Black Mischief is probably a decent horse and had earlier been challenging the progressive Jersey Bean at Market Rasen only to fall at the final flight.

In both those races, Mr Antolini was racing on good ground yet he is almost better with plenty of cut underfoot which he should get here.

In a hugely competitive race, 2015 winner (dead-heated with Sternrubin) Jolly's Cracked It should again go close after his easy course and distance comeback win last month and Western Ryder is 5lb well in on his future mark now making a quick reappearance after finishing third to Brain Power at Cheltenham last Saturday.

Lisp and Mont Des Avaloirs, second and third behind Christmas Hurdle-bound Global Citizen at Newbury must also enter calculations while the Irish challenger Tornado Watch made eye-catching late headway in another hot handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier in the month.

At Haydock, previous course winner CLAN LEGEND can make a successful reappearance in the Smarkets Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old, off the track since last February, has won first time out for the past three seasons and put up a decent performance here over two-and-a-half-miles last December when slamming Crievehill by seven lengths. That form has been boosted by the runner-up who is now rated 16lb higher while Clan Legend's subsequent Wetherby conqueror Catamaran Du Seuil has also risen sharply in the handicap since then.

On his final start last season, Lucy Alexander's mount appeared to be moving smoothly into contention only to blunder his rider away at the fourth last.

With the likely favourite Kimberlite Candy's form looking a bit flakey, a chance is taken on Clan Legend returning in good shape again and staying three furlongs further than he has gone before.

Preview posted at 1740 GMT on 21/12/2018

GET THE FULL PICTURE: Don't miss out on FREE video replays and our fantastic My Stable tracker. Log in now and become a Sporting Life Insider.

Related horse racing links

• Sky Bet's horse racing odds
• Free horse racing betting tips
• All today's racecards
• Today's fast results
• Today's full results
• Non-runners
• Today's Goings
• Today's Naps Table
• ABC Guide