The ITV Racing roadshow rolls on this Saturday, as attention switches to the Midlands Grand National and action from Uttoxeter and Kempton.
Racing expert Alex has gone through the races televised on Saturday and picked out his ITV horse racing tips, including an accumulator for ITV racing.
The ITV roadshow rolls on to Uttoxeter this weekend following the Cheltenham Festival, with the opening race covering a distance of two miles and four furlongs.
Previous course and distance winner Warriors Destiny could be an interesting angle for the Fergal O’Brien yard.
The six-year-old easily won over two miles and four at Uttoxeter in January, beating In The Age by nearly three lengths. Further progress could be on the cards on these terms.
Harry Derham-trained Pure Carbon will carry a light weight in the opening ITV race from Kempton on Saturday.
The seven-year-old has won twice from four starts over fences, and made a pleasing return to action on softer ground last time when getting up to beat Aeros Luck by half a length.
Competitive based on RPRs, and is unlikely to be far away.
Joe Tizzard’s horses ran competitively at Cheltenham this week, and there could be value in Hartington at a higher price in the 14:25 on Saturday.
The seven-year-old has finished outside of the first three on just two starts over hurdles, and appeared unsuited by heavy ground last time when nine lengths third behind Henri The Second at Sandown.
Had previously run well over three miles at Haydock when narrowly beaten by Electric Mason. Each-way claims.
Marsiac looks like a leading chance in the 14:40 from Kempton on Saturday.
The five-year-old has won twice from four starts over hurdles, winning at Aintree and Hereford before the turn of the year.
Underperformed last time when a well-backed favourite over an extended two miles and three, suggesting that this step up in trip is worth trying. Looks competitively handicapped, and should still be improving.
The feature on Saturday is the Midlands Grand National. Isaac Des Obeaux bypassed a Cheltenham target in favour of this stamina-sapping test.
Looks like a dour stayer, having previously won over three miles, and ran in eye-catching fashion when second at Wincanton last time.
Yard previously won this in 2020, and this unexposed chaser could improve that record.
Nicky Henderson-trained Califet En Vol still looks like a very well-handicapped contender this weekend.
The seven-year-old broke his maiden over fences over course and distance last time, jumping efficiently to put nearly three lengths between himself and Viroflay.
Looks versatile in terms of ground, and certainly goes well at this track.
ITV’s busy week of racing coverage concludes with a three-mile handicap chase.
Milcree has been eye-catching over fences to this point, winning on back-to-back starts for Nicky Richards. Excelled on his first attempt over two miles and five at Kelso last time, beating Young Jack by a length.
Further improvement looks very likely now up to three miles for the first time.
