ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 24th October 2026 Best Bets for Cheltenham & Doncaster

The second day of the Showcase Meeting from Cheltenham is set for Saturday, 24th October, with five races covered on ITV. High-quality flat action will also be on offer this weekend, as the Futurity Trophy Stakes could provide clues for next year's Classics.

We have gone through all televised races on ITV this Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.

A busy Saturday of ITV Racing coverage kicks off with the Richard James Hone Memorial Handicap. Ancient State looks like an interesting angle after running with credit when only narrowly denied in first-time headgear last time. He was beaten a length by Gold Star Hero at Ascot, and has been dropped 1lb for that effort.

A return to Doncaster should suit, having won over the course and distance in mid-September. Any cut in the ground should also be no issue, having run with credit on heavy ground at Haydock two starts ago.

The Cheltenham card on Saturday gets underway with the William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, run over a distance of two miles and four furlongs. Rockonliam is a fascinating Irish raider, and Henry De Bromhead’s runners at the Showcase always deserve respect.

However, De Temps En Temps could be an interesting alternative for the Martin Keighley yard. The seven-year-old was only beaten three lengths in a handicap hurdle at Ascot in February, and will make his chase debut on Saturday. He was second in a point-to-point behind Minella Joke before joining Gavin Cromwell, winning once during his time in Ireland.

Court Cave has produced plenty of talented chasers, including JPR One and Champion Court, with the latter being a Grade Two winner at Cheltenham for the same connections over fences over two miles and five. De Temps En Temps gets plenty of weight from the market principles this weekend, and he should shape into a promising handicapper over the larger obstacles.

The Grade One action on the flat this weekend is the Futurity Trophy Stakes, won by the likes of Auguste Rodin, Luxembourg, and Camelot on their way to Classic glory in the following season. Al Hudaiba is an interesting chance, as connections have opted for the race at Doncaster over a run at the Breeders’ Cup next week.

The two-year-old by Dark Angel was an impressive winner at Woodbine last time, landing the Grade One Summer Stakes. On UK turf, his form has been reliable, winning the Group Two Superlative Stakes before finishing a very close third by Dr Rascal in the Group Two Vintage Stakes. This distance should suit, and the red-hot Charlie Appleby stable is hard to oppose at present.

Next up from Cheltenham is a competitive-looking Novices’ Hurdle, run over a distance of three miles. Road To Wembley will be a likely favourite, despite blotting his form with a disappointing effort at Worcester last time. Kashchei could be the interesting contender for Cian Collins.

The six-year-old is a two-time winner over smaller obstacles, and appeared to be crying out for this step up in trip when last seen finishing second behind Hopeful Hero at Clonmel. Has been suited by good ground this year, winning by a yawning seven-length margin over Happy Eagle at Downpatrick in September.

Has been consistent in terms of RPRs this year, and could be the interesting contender with Carl Millar booked back aboard.

Doncaster’s next race is the Listed Doncaster Stakes, run over a distance of six furlongs. Hi Corbett Court looks like a leading chance now dropped back to six furlongs.

He was last seen finishing within a length of Trean the Curragh in the Goffs Million, but had previously shown plenty of ability over the six furlongs when finishing three lengths clear of the field at Sligo. Has improved with every outing based on the RPRs, and this drop back in trip should suit his chances with Billy Lee back aboard.

A competitive betting heat is expected for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, a qualifier for the final in March. Dan Skelton saddles the favourite Ace Of Spades, but there are a few interesting alternatives against the head of the market.

Gowel Road is no stranger to Cheltenham and should be respected for the in-form Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies. Idaho Fire should boast strong claims for the James Owen yard. The five-year-old has won on back-to-back starts since leading Paul Nicholls, beating the re-opposing Divilabother by just under two lengths at Uttoxeter at the end of July.

Meets the same rival on even better terms this time around. Still looks to have untapped potential over hurdles, and looks more than capable of exploiting a mark of 120.

Next up from Cheltenham is the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase, run over three miles and one furlong. Here Comes Georgie returns to the track for the Skeltons following a long layoff, sporting first-time headgear.

Mt Fugi Park could also have more to give after racking up back-to-back wins to reach a mark of 136. However, Moon d’Orange is the eye-catching runner, now with Christian Williams after leaving John McConnell. He had a recent spin at Worcester to get back up to speed, and is now below the mark he was when finishing third in the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Handles the track extremely well, having won off 129 at the January meeting in 2025 by a short head. Up in distance, and the yard are among the winners.

The final race on the ITV coverage this Saturday is the Masterson Holdings Hurdle, run over an extended two miles. One Horse Town caused an upset at Cheltenham last November by landing the Grade Two Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle.

Ran well after that effort, notably when second behind Maestro Conti in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial in January. Season slightly tailed off after that run.

He returned in October with a strong showing on the flat, and that should put him right for this weekend. A return to the Old Course should suit his front-running style, and bold sighting is expected.