The ITV7 is worth £50,000 this weekend, meaning you still have a chance to win big before the 2025 Cheltenham Festival begins. Here are GG’s ITV7 selections for the competition this weekend, which features racing from Hereford, Sandown and Wolverhampton.
Race 1 – 1.50pm Sandown – European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final
Always a competitive contest, but while it would be no surprise if one of the outsiders were capable of far better, the most taking form belongs to GEORGE’S LAD, who was extremely impressive at Doncaster last time out. While Harry Cobden naturally deserts him for Paul Nicholls’ Belliano, Emma Lavelle’s charge won with his head in his chest from a subsequent winner of Nicky Henderson’s. That was over 2m3½f, so this trip will suit, as should the ground, while he had been mixing it with some pretty useful types over 2m prior to that. He could easily be the runner most firmly on the upgrade.
Race 2 – 2.05pm Hereford – DragonBet Backing Our Opinion At Cheltenham Handicap Chase
The ground may ask uncomfortable questions of Western general, who was nevertheless impressive last time out, while Williethebuilder is making his chase debut which leaves him best watched. He is yet to win over fences but HYPOTENUS led over the last at Sandown last time out before fading up the hill, but is down a further 2lb here and goes on a better surface. This sharp, flat track should play to his strengths and he may make all.
Race 3 – 2.25pm Sandown – Betfair Imperial Cup
In a wide open Imperial Cup, preference is for AFADIL, whose season took a turn for the better at Musselburgh last time out. He had plummeted 10lb down the handicap since the start of this campaign, but was second in the Scottish County Hurdle last time when well-backed. He may have won that race the year before, but it was evidently a huge improvement on other recent efforts and this race could well have been one the yard have targeted since the very start of the season. He remains 2lb below his last winning mark.
Race 4 – 2.45 Wolerhampton – BetMGM Lincoln Trial
He may have a slightly wider draw to contend with than deal but SYMBOL OF LIGHT stepped readily forward from his previous form to win at Southwell four weeks ago. He benefited from being much swifter out of the stalls than he had been recently and that form has worked out fairly well already, so as long as he does not dwell from the off and can get across from his draw, he could take some pegging back again.
Race 5 – 3.00pm Sandown – British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed)
She wouldn’t want to get as outpaced as she did briefly at Market Rasen, but the way in which CHARISMA CAT subsequently rallied and only narrowly failed to get her head in front suggests she possesses an engine. Alan King’s five-year-old had won her first two bumpers comfortably enough before suffering interference in that Market Rasen. That she nearly overcame that and the flat spot she then hit, makes her the clear favourite to get the job done here.
Race 6 – 3.20pm Wolverhampton – BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed)
Jabaara was below her best on her only all-weather start, while Al Shabab Storm was likewise well short of his on his reappearance last term. The outsider, ROYAL ZABEEL is of note though, with form figures of 2112 since joining Mick Appleby’s yard. All four starts have been on the all-weather, with his best effort coming over course and distance two races back. He won comfortably that day and was only narrowly beaten next time out at Southwell when travelling like the winner. He has a little to find on ratings, but is bang in form with conditions to suit.
Imperial Cup Preview – Who Can Land Final Cherished Prize Before Cheltenham?
The Imperial Cup at Sandown remains a significant race in the National Hunt season despite its position just before Cheltenham. Matty Sutcliffe has previewed the race, and given his 1-2-3 selections. BO ZENITH (Nico De Boinville/Nicky Henderson) Nicky Henderson has won this historical contest just once since its inception in 1907, coming with Dave’s Dream…
Fri 07 Mar 2025Race 7 – 3.35pm Sandown – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase
He never travelled at Newbury, but the first two starts of this season were highly promising from HOE JOLY SMOKE and he may now have more to offer again freshened up from a break. Dan Skelton’s charge was runner-up to a useful rival on his chase debut at Uttoxeter in October before winning well over course and distance in December. If forgiving his Newbury disappointment in a highly competitive open handicap thereafter, he is worth considering again as a potential improver.
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.