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Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips and Previews
THE IMPERIAL CUP TAKES CENTRE STAGE FROM SANDOWN! ITV Racing live on Saturday from Wolverhampton and Sandown.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Saturday Schedule
1.30 Wolverhampton (AW) Huge Daily Boosts Only BetUK Handicap (Class 2) 6f
1.50 Sandown European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Handicap) 2m4f
2.05 Wolverhampton (AW) Spreadex Sports Lincoln Trial Handicap (Class 2) 1m1/2f
2.25 Sandown Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m
2.40 Wolverhampton (AW) Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed Race) 7f
3.00 Sandown British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) 2m
3.35 Sandown Betfair Daily Multiples Offer At Cheltenham Novices’ Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m4f
Wolverhampton (AW) 1.30
Silky Wilkie will likely prove popular for this ITV opener after winning at Kempton but I think the value may lie with BALDOMERO for Mick Appleby. Billy Loughnane is back from America and is superb value for his 5lb claim. This horse might have only finished fourth at Lingfield last time but he only went down three quarters of a length and remains unexposed at this trip. If he builds on that under likely aggressive tactics he might not come back to them this time.
Ingra Tor is a horse I thought would do better than he did last season but it remains fairly early days for him so he could run well on reappearance. Exalted Angel caught the eye when only beaten narrowly by Annaf at Lingfield but failed to build on that last time. If bouncing back he might turn out to be a bit of value to rattle the frame.
Sandown 1.50
This is a really good handicap with bookies pricing it up at 5/1 the field at the time of writing which just shows how open it is. Paul Nicholls has a good record in the race and HENRI THE SECOND looks his best runner in the race despite carrying top weight. He is a Grade 2 winner over course and distance already. He went close last time giving weight away and looks set to run another big race here. He has won it with McFabulous and Complete Unknown in recent years and this horse still has a lot of potential.
At a bigger price CERENDIPITY looks a good each way bet as Sandown on testing ground will likely see more to come. I think he will be be better over further in the future and can run a big race here at massive price. Cuthbert Dibble and Crambo look the main dangers with the former being the favourite at the time of writing after a really easy win last time at this trip.
Wolverhampton (AW) 2.05
I am keen to take a chance on one here in the shape of EILEAN DUBH for Karl Burke. He has made no secret that he has always held this horse in high regard and he started to show why towards the end of last season winning 3 of his last 4 starts. He cut through the pack at York like a smart horse and ran on strongly to win well. He ran a cracker fresh last year so that shouldn’t be an issue and 5lb higher I can see him going close here under Clifford Lee and at juicy odds too.
Plenty of dangers in such a good race with Unforgotten heading the betting. He is lightly raced for his age and comes here seeking a four-timer after impressing again at Lingfield last time. He is up another 4lb though and this is obviously tougher. Notre Belle Bete won this last year and could be a player again if building on that reappearance second at Lingfield.
Sandown 2.25
The Imperial Cup is always amongst the most competitive races this close to Cheltenham with a £100,000 pot to go for here. It is worth having a couple of each way plays in here with ZOFFANY BAY my main selection after he ran a big race after nearly 2 years off lat time out at Ascot. He has good form in France already on testing ground and the drop in trip in a truly run race will see him go very well. He should be fitter for his last run and looks a good bet. I can see him being backed in the run up to the race.
ICEO is the other one I like each way. He looks to have been aimed at this race with just one run this season over C&D in January where he ran a good second. He was only raised 1lb for that so the yard would have been pleased and he will be much better for the run. Playful Saint is the fav at the time of writing and certainly has the form to figure along with Givega who remains unexposed.
Wolverhampton (AW) 2.40
Given ANGEL BLEU was a dual Group 1 winner as a 2yo I’m expecting him to have too many gears for this field. He has been highly tried in recent times and dropping down to Listed level should get his head back in front now. He obviously has a seven-month lay-off to overcome but he has won fresh before and looks the class angle in the race. He was last seen chasing home Baaeed and co so this is the easiest contest he would have faced for a long time.
The danger could be Dhabab who showed a good attitude to win at Lingfield on reappearance before disappointing at Kempton. Given plenty of time since he should bounce back to form. Berkshire Shadow has been mixing it with some good horses and is another one on return that could run well with Oisin Murphy up. Tinker Toy won this last year but will need to better that Kempton run back in January.
Sandown 3.00
The Cheltenham Festival bound Luccia won this last year and whilst I am not sure any of these mares are at her level CASA NO MENTO impressed last time out winning by 12 lengths. She seems to love softer conditions and romped home in a Hereford Flat race. She may not have beaten much that day but the manner of the victory suggests she has plenty of potential and she is the one to beat here as the market is very much reflecting. I can see the 10/3 coming under pressure come post time.
There wasn’t a lot between Goodtimecrew and Larchmont Lass last time out and they look the main threats if handling the testing ground. At a bigger price Mercian Omen went well on debut going clear with the eventual winner who franked the form since so could be a player if improving for that run but this is competitive.
Sandown 3.35
With a strike rate of 5 wins from just 8 starts in all disciplines EASY AS THAT remains a horse to keep firmly on side. He let backers down when beaten in a match at Ffos Las back in November but has done nothing but improve since winning easily at Haydock and then bolting up at Newcastle, jumping notably well. The handicapper has had his say raising him 9lb but he remains unexposed and if he improves again the hat-trick should be on the cards.
No Risk Des Flos has won 2 of his last 3 over fences and impressed at Wetherby so up 5lb looks the biggest danger. Lac De Constance hacked up on chase debut at Kempton but then unseated behind Boothill and was stuffed at cramped odds at Exeter so enough to prove. Hudson De Grugy needs to avoid mistakes to have a chance.
ITV Racing Lucky 15
With 7 races live on ITV Racing on Saturday I’ve taken my four strongest bets to make a Lucky 15. If we can land 3/4 winners we would make some decent profit. Pays 250/1!
ITV Racing Lucky 15
Wolverhampton 1.30 Baldomero
Wolverhampton 2.40 Angel Bleu NEXT BEST
Sandown 3.00 Casa No Mento ONE TO WATCH
Sandown 3.35 Easy As That NAP
Pays 250/1!
ITV Racing Each Way Double
I really like the look of these two at decent odds so I’ve combined them to make a juicy looking Each Way Double for Saturday. Even if both place we would make some nice profit. Pays 80/1!