A Grade One Saturday of action on ITV will be headlined by the Ascot Chase. However, Grand National clues could also be on offer in the feature from Haydock.
We have gone through the races televised on Saturday and have picked out our ITV horse racing tips. You can find our selections, an ITV Racing Accumulator, and the best bookmaker offers here.
The action on ITV on Saturday gets underway with the Betfair Novices’ Hurdle. Mondoui’boy made a pleasing impression on hurdles debut at Ludlow last month, quickly putting four lengths between himself and Island Bridge.
Still looks incredibly unexposed from that effort, and looks to be the one to beat for the Ben Pauling and Ben Jones combination.
The Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle is the first of the races televised from Wincanton on Saturday. Golden Ace’s absence leaves the door open for Alexei, who could yet hold interesting Champion Hurdle claims.
The progressive six-year-old for Joe Tizzard has won four from eight over hurdles, and was only narrowly denied off top weight at Ascot at the end of December. Returns from a break, and looks likely to progress into a graded performer.
There was plenty to like about The Jukebox Kid’s win at Ascot last month, winning with plenty in hand and jumping foot perfectly over the three-mile trip. Still looks well treated following that win, and another statement win could be delivered.
The Ben Pauling runner has won twice from three starts, with his only defeat coming when looking unsuited by Cheltenham in December.
Haydock joins the ITV party at 14:05 when the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle is staged. Kabral Du Mathan has looked incredibly exciting since joining the Dan Skelton yard, winning on back-to-back starts at Haydock and Cheltenham.
Quickly put the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle to bed in striking fashion last time, looking every inch as though three miles would suit. Plenty to like.
Lightningupourdays is a very interesting runner for the in-form Alastair Ralph yard in the 14:25 at Ascot.
The seven-year-old has won once from five starts over hurdles, but there was plenty to like about his comeback effort when finishing third at Hereford over an extended two miles and three.
Should come on for that run, and was a winner on his second start after a break last season.
Grade Two action over an extended three miles will see a big field involved in the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle.
Ubatuba looks to be progressing quickly with the Olly Murphy stable, having won on back-to-back starts at Leicester. Stayed on very strongly on heavy ground last time, beating Skuna Bay by over nine lengths. Should stay this trip well, and has winning form over three miles in a point-to-point.
Invincible Nao has been running well without threatening to win since claiming victory on his return to action in November. Stayed on well in the London National in December, before showing staying quality when taking third in the Surrey National.
This drop back to three miles should suit after winning over two miles and four on return, and over three miles and one at Plumpton last January. Respected with the in-form Caolin Quinn in the saddle.
The feature from Haydock on Saturday is the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. Myretown is respected, but Deafening Silence looks to have been pointed toward this target by the respected Dan Skelton yard.
The nine-year-old ran excellently in the Welsh National in December, beaten just four lengths by Gold Cup-bound Haiti Couleurs. Stays well, and should be thereabouts if his jumping holds up.
A fairly weak renewal of the Grade One Ascot Chase should give Jonbon a perfect opportunity to warm up for a tilt at the Ryanair Chase with a victory.
The Nicky Henderson superstar was excellent over two miles and one at Ascot last time, staying on stronger than Thistle Ask to land the Grade One Clarence House Chase. This kind of test should suit the star, and he comes out clearly above his rivals based on ratings.
