The ITV Racing cameras do not switch off on Saturday, but instead travel to Kempton and Uttoxeter for seven races. GG tipster Joe Napier has four best bets across the ITV cards.
1.50 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle
The unexposed Hidden History catches the eye on his first start for Dan Skelton, but WELLINGTON ARCH has some pretty sturdy novice hurdling form and looks capable of making good on his handicap debut.
He has form figures of 2121 so far over hurdles, with two novice wins at odds-on either side of runner-up efforts to some useful rivals at Exeter and market Rasen. The winner of that latter contest has since won at Listed level and Wellington Arch ran him to a length.
A mark of 120 looks perfectly lenient for his opening shot at a handicap, and he even has some decent bumper form previously too. There is no reason the step up to 2m4f should not suit, and it would be a surprise if he weren’t involved.
2.45 Kempton – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle
If she fails to get into the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival as first reserve, ASTON MARTINI can gain compensation at Kempton for Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville. The six-year-old mare looks set to progress over intermediate trips.
She has twice finished second this season, although she should have won on her seasonal return at Bangor, making a mess of the last and being caught up the run-in. She was disappointing at Newbury thereafter, but upped to nearly 2m4f, she was second to Altobelli at Ascot, and that winner has won since.
As a result, a 3lb rise does not look overly harsh. Quicker ground suits and she looks very capable of contending again for her powerful connections.
3.00 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Midlands Grand National
The Midlands National is worth more than the majority of Cheltenham handicaps, which is why we have a very competitive running here. Slightly forgotten in the market is Welsh National winner VAL DANCER, who is only 6lb higher than for that Chepstow success.
Mel Rowley’s charge has won five of his nine chase starts, and finished third in the other four, so he is immensely consistent. That includes when he finished third in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time out from 6lb out of the weights. He gets those 6lb back now to race off 132, which could still be lenient.
Given he stayed 3m6f on soft, there should be no issue going half a mile further on this sort of surface. Double-figure prices are perfectly fair.
3.35 Uttoxeter – JennigsBet Novices’ Handicap Chase
Deafening Silence may well prove better than his mark in time, but the ground may be on the sharp side for him here. He is taken on with EYED, a fellow eight-year-old, who has won three of his five races for Hughie Morrison, with all of those victories coming on good-to-soft ground or quicker.
He has risen 18lb in the handicap for Morrison, finishing second on his yard debut, before three wins and a fall. The last two successes have come over 3m, and he stayed the trip very effectively. Any further progression gives him every chance off a rating of 118.
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