Racing Tips & Best Bets – Saturday, January 31, 2026

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Ascot Betting Tips for January 31, 2026 - Stormy to Strike Fresh

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Thu 29 Jan 2026 15:14

Alex Marsh 29 Jan 2026

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Too Darn Stormy, trained by Daniel Morton, primed for Race 9 victory
Bassett Hound, improving contender in Race 2, aims for a win
Superfluous targets success in Race 5; Jazalot offers value in Race 6

Expired

Nine races feature on Saturday's Ascot program. (Getty)

Saturday’s Ascot meeting shapes as a well-balanced nine-race card, with progressive types, proven performers and several key betting races spread through the program.

Ascot Tips January 31
Croser Sparkling Plate Tips (Race 2)
PKF Perth Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Tabtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 6)
Mrs Mac’s Handicap Tips (Race 9)

Punters can also follow the action throughout the meeting via Live Streaming.

Ascot Tips January 31

Croser Sparkling Plate Tips (Race 2)

Ascot Next Best Bet - Race 2 No. 5 Bassett Hound

Connections have been patient with Bassett Hound, who was in work as an early two-year-old and, despite winning an Ascot trial last May, was given more time.

The Mitchell Pateman-trained gelding completed a January 5 heat before his January 17 debut, where he was well supported in betting.

Unfortunately, the son of Wootton Bassett never saw daylight in that first race-day attempt and was badly held up in the straight.

He should take plenty of natural improvement from that initial experience and drawing wider may suit here.

This looks very winnable, with his main danger Twisted Steel a touch plain on return.

PKF Perth Handicap Tips (Race 5)

Ascot Value Bet - Race 5 No. 8 Superfluous

With the fastest closing sectionals of two 1300m races to begin the campaign, getting to 1500m looks ideal for Superfluous third-up.

He carries 3.5kg less than last start, where he was the only runner making any impression from back and wide.

The quinella in that race both settled closer to speed and travelled through the inside lanes.

A galloper who looked stakes-class early, Superfluous has been his own worst enemy at the barriers of late.

Clint Johnston-Porter is a strong booking and should have a better feel for the four-year-old following the June 15 Pinjarra run, with the talent clearly there if things go right.

Tabtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Ascot Roughie - Race 6 No. 10 Jazalot

Although he has not won since an eye-catching debut success in March last year, Jazalot remains lightly raced.

Aside from a plain run on December 17, he has been finishing his races off well.

He recorded the fastest last 400m in each of his past two starts, and there has been market support through his January runs at Bunbury.

Two starts back he wanted to lay in throughout the home straight, while last time he was working home in restricted room towards the inside.

This is technically a rise in grade, but he has as much upside and brilliance as any rival and now gets down to the 54kg minimum.

Mrs Mac’s Handicap Tips (Race 9)

Ascot Best Bet - Race 9 No. 9 Too Darn Stormy

The first summer trial on January 5 was inconclusive, but the second workout was more encouraging.

Too Darn Stormy stretched out nicely on January 19, working through his gears late in that hit-out.

The resuming three-year-old is prepared by an in-form Daniel Morton stable, which has trained seven winners at a 29 percent strike rate in January.

It is worth noting that five of those winners have been first-up.

A debut winner last May before finishing runner-up to Playin’it Sweet, who went on to win four of her next five including a Listed race, this does not look a strong event to kick off in and he is likely to start a popular favourite.

Verdict

Ascot - January 31

Our Ascot selections for Saturday, January 31 are:

Too Darn Stormy

To Win

$2.40 - 4 Units

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Bassett Hound

To Win

$3.30 - 3 Units

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Superfluous

To Win

$5.50 - 2 Units

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Jazalot

Each Way

$26.00 - 1 Unit

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