The ITV7 is open again on Saturday even after the Cheltenham Festival ends. The jackpot is worth £100,000 and GG’s Joe Napier gives his selections to try and guide you towards the prize.
Race 1 – 1.50 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle
Hidden History is a potential improver now moved to Dan Skelton, but he would not be the favourite on form. That would be WELLINGTON ARCH, a winner of two of his four hurdles starts, who has finished second in the other two. He has met some talented rivals in those runner-up efforts, so a mark of 120 looks lenient enough, with the handicapper giving him a chance on his debut in this sphere.
Race 2 – 2.10 Kempton – Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
He was put in his place at Musselburgh last time out, but ASTA LA PASTA still pulled 37 lengths clear of the third when runner-up that day. Dan Skelton’s charge still looks well up to winning off his current mark of 132, especially given his second-placed effort at Kempton over 2m4f earlier in the season. This slightly shorter trip is not expected to be any issue.
Race 3 – 2.25 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle
There is no guarantee that Joyeux Machin is a stayer, for all he would be a form pick, while Red Dirt Road might struggle on quicker ground. Evan Williams’ PATRIOTIK had looked to be on a threatening mark for some time before eventually scoring at Doncaster over this sort of trip at the start of the month. As long as that did not take too much out of him, he looks capable of following up from a 3lb higher mark, as he is clearly a horse who stays.
Race 4 – 2.45 Kempton – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle
The mare ASTON MARTINI has been unlucky not to win this season and looks likely to get her day in the sun on Saturday. For Nicky Henderson, she made a mistake after the last when narrowly beaten at Bangor in November, and bumped into a very well-handicapped winner at Ascot in January. She was beaten under two lengths, and the winner has gone in again since, so the form is strong and she is progressing enough to suggest the winners’ enclosure is calling.
Race 5 – 3.00 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Midlands Grand National
This staying handicap can go to Welsh National scorer VAL DANCER, who has more in the locker. The eight-year-old is yet to finish outside of the top three over fences, winning five and finishing third on four occasions. He just keeps improving for his racing, rising substantially in the handicap, but he managed to finish third from well out the handicap in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time and gets to race here off 6lb lower now.
Race 6 – 3.20 Kempton – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase
He had found it difficult to win up until recently, but BAD finally did so over course and distance last time out, and did so in some style. The six-year-old had long looked like he would develop into a better horse than his mark of 125, so a 9lb rise is not considered too much of an issue, as the winning monkey being off his back may do the world of good.
Race 7 – 3.35 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Novices’ Handicap Chase
A couple of runners are coming in here in terrific form, with EYED narrowly preferred to Walk On Quest. The selection has flourished since joining Hughie Morrison, winning three of his five races for the yard, including the last two. Those recent victories have both been over 3m, so we know he stays, and further progression looks likely off a mark which is still low enough to contend.
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