There’s £50k up for grabs in Saturday’s ITV7 that takes in races from Newbury and Warwick. With the likes of the Denman Chase, Game Spirit Chase and William Hill Hurdle all featuring in the ITV7 then it’s going to be an entertaining afternoon. Here at GG, we attempt to point you in the right direction and pick out our seven selections for the selected races.
Race 1 – 1.50pm Newbury – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
Robert Walford’s SHUTUPSHIRLEY ended last year with three superb victories that came at Exeter, Wincanton and Fontwell. The eight-year-old was a facile 11-length winner on his last outing and was duly given an 8lbs rise by the handicapper. Facing his toughest test to date, Walford’s charge will step into class 3 company on Saturday for the 1:50pm at Newbury, but he looks like he could still be capable of more off a mark of 112 and is the one to side with.
Race 2 – 2.05pm Warwick – Unibet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase
Three wins from three over fences has catapulted L’EAU DU SUD into the Arkle reckoning at Cheltenham next month and the Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old can maintain his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles with victory in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick. The strong travelling, smart jumper was last seen bounding to Grade 1 glory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, and while he will have a lively rival in the shape of Rubaud here, Skelton’s charge should prove to be a real cut above his three opponents here.
Race 3 – 2.25pm Newbury – William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase
Paul Nicholls has amassed a whopping 10 wins in the Denman Chase and the master of Ditcheat can make it a record-extending 11th win on Saturday. He will unleash a dual-pronged attack in the shape of Hitman and BRAVEMANSGAME and it’s the latter that can prevail with aplomb. The former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up has been struggling at the highest level in recent times, but he will be in receipt of 6lbs from the Venetia Williams-trained Djelo and that should be enough to sway the win his way. If Harry Cobden can get him into a decent rhythm over his fences then he should be able to simply outclass what is a pretty average field.
Race 4 – 2.40pm Warwick – Read Nicky Henderson’s Weekly Unibet Blog Mares’ Hurdle
Sixth in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March, GALA MARCEAU then built on that effort when finishing second to Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Making her reappearance in the 2:40pm at Warwick, the Willie Mullins-trained mare should have too much class for the likes of West Balboa and You Wear It Well and she can land this prize for Ireland before having another crack at the Mares’ Hurdle next month.
Race 5 – 3.00pm Newbury – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Game Spirit Chase
With Sir Gino ruled out through injury, the Game Spirit Chase is now wide open and it gives the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained MATATA the perfect opportunity to grab a Grade 2 prize. Hugely progressive over fences this term he was last seen bounding to an emphatic victory at Windsor and if he can replicate that display then he looks more than capable of downing last year’s winner Edwardstone and the upwardly mobile handicapper Libberty Hunter.
Race 6 – 3.15pm Warwick – Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase
A winner of the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, SHAKEM UP’ARRY can return to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since that March success and Ben Pauling’s charge can land a fascinating veterans event at Warwick at 3:15pm. The likes of Fugitif, Editeur Du Gite and Le Milos all look notable contenders, but Pauling’s charge is a class act and can duly bounce back from a fall at Cheltenham last time out and land this prize off near top weight.
Race 7 – 3.35pm Newbury – William Hill Hurdle
This weekend’s ITV7 ends with a hugely competitive renewal of the William Hill Hurdle at 3:35pm and the likes of Secret Squirrel and Joyeuse are likely to prove extremely popular. However, there could be a shock winner in the shape of Chris Gordon’s OUR CHAMP, who can emulate a victory at Ascot earlier in the season. Last seen finishing fifth at Ascot, he went a bit quick that day and failed to see out, so if he’s ridden with a bit more restraint he could be capable of quickening in the closing stages and landing this valuable prize.
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