Racing Tips: Paisley Park and Testify to steal the show? - (2026)

Updated: 26/02/2026

Saturday racing odds, tips and preview

It’s the final Saturday before Christmas, but it’s business as usual for the ITV Racing crew.

ITV 4 is the place to be, with races coming to you live from Ascot and Haydock. The headline contests being the Long Walk Hurdle at 2.25, and the Exchange Trophy at 3.35.

Paisley Park – 2:25 Ascot

Plenty of runners have strong claims for the Long Walk Hurdle, including Agrapart, Call Me Lord, Sam Spinner and Unowhatimeanharry, but it’s Paisley Park who piques our interest.

Emma Lavelle’s six-year-old comes into this having won at both Aintree and Haydock this season, defying top weight with an excellent run in the latter.

His reward is a step up into Grade One class, and there should be plenty more to come from the bay gelding this winter.

Sam Spinner has particularly strong claims here, but a disappointing run at Newbury has raised a few concerns and that could open the door for the impressive and still-improving Paisley Park.

Testify – 2:40 Haydock

Some horses just love certain courses, don’t they? That rule certainly applies to Testify and Haydock.

From the Trevor Hemmings stables just up the road in Chorley, Testify is 2/2 at the Merseyside track.

The David McCain-trained seven-year-old has undergone wind pipe surgery this year, and featured strongly before tailing off on his seasonal bow at Newcastle three weeks ago.

Others can claim stronger form, but Testify should be worth consideration on his favourite course.

Lord Napier – 3:35 Ascot

It could be a case of saving the best ‘till last if it’s a wide-open race you’re after. 

Jolly’s Cracked It and Fidux have been hovering around the sharp end of the betting, but with so much rain around up and down the UK this week, we’re keen on Lord Napier.

His three wins from seven races over hurdles have all come on soft ground.

Peter Bowen’s runner won’t be rusty either, having made his seasonal reappearance with a steady fourth at Wincanton earlier this month and is certainly worth each-way speculation.

ITV Racing tips:

1:50 Ascot – Janika

2:05 Haydock – Ballymoy

2:25 Ascot – Paisley Park

2:40 Haydock – Testify

3:00 Ascot – Gold Present

3:35 Ascot – Lord Napier (each-way)

For more horse racing odds click here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/horse-racing/racing-tips-paisley-park-and-testify-to-steal-the-show_198049.html

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