The ITV Racing team have rejigged their schedule in order to show a whopping 11 races across four courses on Saturday, the weather being well. GG’s Joe Napier gives four tips across those races for you to follow.
1.15 Ffos Las – Dragonbet Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
Usually run over 3m at Wetherby, this renewal of the Towton Novices’ Chase will take place over half-a-mile shorter. Many of these were entered with the longer distance in mind, with Cherie d’Am looking the most obvious to benefit from this only being 2m 3½f, though her form does not convince enough with her carrying a penalty.
Handstands could well follow up his success in a Grade 2 at Sandown, but SAINT DAVY now receives 5lb in penalties from Ben Pauling’s charge and might overturn the form. He was making his chase debut in the Esher Novices’ Chase and acquitted himself well, generally jumping soundly and finishing only four lengths behind in third.
The drop back in trip favours neither, but natural improvement from his first to second start over fences may enable the eight-year-old to reverse Sandown running in receipt of that weight.
2.00 Newcastle – Gamble Responsibly at BetUK Handicap
The form of Midnight Lion, Alpine Sierra and Urban Road all ties together, with it being uncertain which of the trio will come out on top in this rematch. All have chances, and it is possible that form thread is the strongest, but top-weight SOL CAYO, has impressed since returning to the all-weather for Fionn McSharry.
The five-year-old has lifetime form on artificial surfaces of 72121 compared to 332060 on turf. He has improved for racing on Tapeta and Polytrack having lost his way on grass, exemplified on two tailed-off runs for his new yard at Pontefract and York before re-finding his feet.
He won by nearly four lengths over course and distance last time out, and won a handicap at Wolverhampton off this mark of 82 for his old yard. He could easily have at least one more win in him back up in class before his rating gets too high.
2.40 Chelmsford – bet365 Handicap
Now 5lb below his last winning mark, MR BALOO is reunited with the last rider to partner him to victory in Joe Leavy, whose 3lb claim is useful. The four-year-old can put some recent disappointments behind him here.
His form had begun to improve steadily returned to the all-weather at Kempton since November, but his last of 11 at Lingfield last time has seen him fall another 2lb in the handicap. However, he was drawn widest and missed the break that day, effectively losing any chance from the start, but he is not habitually a slow starter.
He has a much kinder berth in stall 5 in this 15-runner field and the first time blinkers could also see him away on terms and settled. Prior to that Lingfield no-show, his form on all-weather surfaces read well on the whole and he should not be considered regressive at what is still a relatively early stage of his career.
3.31 Ffos Las – Download The DragonBet App Handicap Chase
As soft ground is expected, a dart is thrown on rank outsider HUBRISKO for Harry Derham. He changed hands from Willie Mullins’ yard in November and was entitled to need his reappearance when down the field at Newbury in November.
Derham did not send out many horses in December after his gallops were rendered unusable due to the effect of storms. However, since resuming a more full-time resume of runners since the end of the month, he has been in the winners, with three of his last eight runners winning, and only one finishing outside the frame.
Hubrisko will be his longest-priced declaration in that period, but despite being unusually campaigned as more of a summer horse when based in Closutton, he has won on two of his four starts when the going description was soft or worse, including a 13-length romp on his final start for Mullins. That may have been over 2m7f, but he had form figures of 213 at about 2m too and may strip significantly fitter for his stable debut, which came only one week after Derham’s gallop was left unfit for purpose.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.