ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 31st January 2026 Best Bets for Sandown, Musselburgh & Leopardstown

A bumper afternoon of ITV Racing action is set for 31st January, with Sandown and Musselburgh covered, as well as action from the Dublin Racing Festival.

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.

Three selections make up our ITV Racing accumulator for Saturday. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator:

1. Kala Conti - 14:40 - Sandown
2. Romeo Coolio - 14:55 - Leopardstown
3. Galopin Des Champs - 15:30 - Leopardstown

A bumper weekend of ITV coverage kicks off at Sandown, with a handicap hurdle over two miles and four.

Zainy Champ could be an interesting selection for the in-form Jeremy Scott yard, having won over two miles and two at Exeter in December.

Was pulled up over an inadequate mile and seven last time, but this step back up in trip is a huge plus for this unexposed runner.

Musselburgh’s opening race is the Listed Scottie Triumph Hurdle. Lord has a promising record over hurdles for the Donald McCain yard, winning four from six starts.

Put his disappointing run at Cheltenham behind him when last seen, outting five lengths between himself and Bibe Mus in the Wirral Juvenile Hurdle.

Carries a penalty this weekend, but has the most proven form in the book.

A competitive handicap chase over two miles and four is next up from Sandown.

Ben Clarke-trained Risk De Pluie could be on a handy mark. The seven-year-old is yet to win in six starts over fences, but has run credibly in defeat twice this season.

Last time out, he wasn’t beaten far by Bonza Boy, and stepping back up in trip could be the secret for him to get his nose in front. Sam Twiston-Davies is a notable booking.

Paul Nicholls could hold the leading chance in the Scottish County Handicap Hurdle, with previous course and distance winner Afadil looking to hold strong claims.

The seven-year-old has looked like a well-handicapped horse throughout the season, including when not beaten far over course and distance on New Year’s Day.

Remains on a good mark, and a more aggressive ride will make him very difficult to beat.

A handicap chase over a mile and seven is next from Sandwon, and Kotmask could be an interesting selection after dropping in the weights.

The eight-year-old for the in-form Gary & Josh Moore yard ran back to his very best when dropped down to the minimal trip over course and distance at the start of January, finishing second behind Vanderpoel.

Expected to go close once again over his favoured course and distance, with in-form Caoilin Quinn booked aboard.

An interesting renewal of the Scottish Champion Chase is due off at 14:20, and The Kalooki Kid could be worth chancing.

The eight-year-old trained by Nicky Richards was incredibly impressive as a novice last season, winning on two from four starts. Has lost his way somewhat this term, but jumped with more verve over course and distance on New Year’s Day.

Carries a light weight compared to some exposed rivals this weekend, and if replicating his form from last season’s win in this race, he will be hard to beat.

The Grade One action will come thick and fast on Saturday, beginning with the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

I’m a huge fan of Kala Conti for the Gordon Elliott yard, and she could down Kempton winner Kitzbuhel. The six-year-old has already taken some notable scalps this season, including a 16-length demolition of Kargese in the Grade Two Mares Novice Chase at Cork.

This step back up in trip will suit, having produced her best performance to date when streaking clear to beat a relatively deep field by nine lengths on chase debut at Cork in November. James Bowen is a solid booking.

A shallow field of three line up in the Grade One Irish Arkle in the first two live races on ITV from the Dublin Racing Festival.

In truth, I was keen on Romeo Coolio before Kopek Des Bordes wasn’t declared, and he has the deepest form of the runners in this race over what each of them has done over fences to this point.

The Gordon Elliott runner is a perfect three-from-three, and used his stamina to get out of trouble when beating Irish Panther over course and distance in the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase.

Future lies over further, but for this weekend, he is plenty talented enough to win this.

Red Dirt Road showed plenty of ability over hurdles when striking on back-to-back starts at Aintree and Sandown in December and February last year.

Ran well below that on his final start last season at Uttoxeter, but should be capable of bouncing back on his return. Has ran well after a break previously, and his win over course and distance was striking when beating Henri The Second by eight lengths on heavy ground.

Similar conditions are likely this week, and he could be the value play.

The highlight of the day comes from the Dublin Racing Festival, as a vintage renewal of the Grade One Irish Gold Cup is set for 15:30.

I Am Maximus holds each-way claims, but Galopin Des Champs looks to be play, as he bids for sporting immortality and a fourth straight win in the Irish Gold Cup.

Ran a huge race on his return in December, finishing just three lengths behind the race-fit Affordale Fury. That is his only defeat at Leopardstown, and his dominance in this division could resume. Preferred choice of Paul Townend.

Harry Cobden will be aboard JP McManus-owned Fortunate Man in the finale at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has excelled over three miles, most recently winning on his seasonal return at Aintree when beating Kelce by three lengths.

Is a two-time winner over fences, and has hit the frame on all but one of his seven efforts over the larger obstacles.