Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips
13:15 Cheltenham – Aucunrisque
13:50 Cheltenham – Fugitif (each-way)
14:05 Doncaster – Cerendipity
14:25 Cheltenham – Elvis Mail (each-way)
14:40 Doncaster – Soaring Glory (each-way)
15:00 Cheltenham – Destroytheevidence
15:15 Doncaster – Nestor Park
15:35 Cheltenham – Windtothelightning
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
ITV Saturday starts with this handicap chase over an extended 2m. This is a chance for AUCUNRISQUE to bounce back to form for Chris Gordon and Rex Dingle. Oddly Aucunrisque is miles better off with Funambule Sivola despite finishing in front of that rival at Ascot last time. My hope is now down to 142, 4lb below his highest mark and while well beaten by Boothill he kept on well enough. I’ll take the chance.
Carly Hinchy, the owner of Fugitive, will be cursing what I’m about to write! Here’s the big betting race of the day in the December Gold Cup over an extended 2m4f. FUGITIF travelled like the winner for much of the way in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but made mistakes late on and weakened into fourth. He’s down 2lb here but more importantly I suspect Gavin Sheehan will challenge later than he did on that occasion. Added to that, he’ll probably come on for the effort fitnesswise. The course and distance are no issue to a pretty decent each-way chance.
ITV also go to Doncaster Saturday for this limited handicap chase over 2m3f. CERENDIPITY is a bit of a character but on the front end is hard to pass. Nick Scholfield rides for Sue Smith and I suspect there is more to come from him as a chaser. Won well at Wetherby last time.
A handicap chase over 3m2f. Protektorat may outclass this field but I’m still far from sure he’s a strong stayer at this distance. He might just travel too well for most of these. It’s a fascinating race with the novice Broadway Boy in the line-up, but I’m going to have a few quid eachway on the improving ELVIS MAIL for Nick Alexander and Bruce Lynn, who takes off 3lb. The Kelso winning stays and jumps and it’s just a case of whether he’s good enough. An each-way chance.
A handicap hurdle over an extended 2m. Some class handicappers in here. SOARING GLORY is gradually getting back to form for Jonjo O’Neill and ran a fair second at this track last time. He’s down in the handicap to a rating he can operate from and Kevin Brogan has every chance of getting him into the frame at the very least.
Up in class here for a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle over 3m. Kim Bailey has been in great form, and DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE, something I’m sure Kim has had to do from time to time, has decent claims here under David Bass. The Kempton dual winner stays very well and has shown plenty of talent. Sure to get an aggressive ride.
Good handicap chase this over 3m. NESTOR PARK stays well and has been dropped 1lb even though he’s been consistent of late. His third at Aintree to Celebrate d’Allen was all right and I reckon he has an eachway chance for Kielan Woods and Ben Pauling.
A mares’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f. This might be a step too far for WINDTOTHELIGHTNING has he went up plenty in the handicap for a success at Wetherby last time. That said she’s improving all the time and has good Cheltenham form so let’s hope their is another win in her yet. Henry Brooke rides for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips
13:15 Cheltenham – Aucunrisque
13:50 Cheltenham – Fugitif (each way)
14:05 Doncaster – Cerendipity
14:25 Cheltenham – Elvis Mail (each-way)
14:40 Doncaster – Soaring Glory (each-way)
15:00 Cheltenham – Destroytheevidence
15:15 Doncaster – Nestor Park
15:35 Cheltenham – Windtothelightning
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.