ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 31st October 2026 Best Bets for Wetherby, Ascot & Down Royal

A busy afternoon of ITV Racing action is set for Saturday, 31st October, with ten jumps races covered from Wetherby, Ascot, and Down Royal.

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 kicks off at Wetherby, with a Handicap Chase covering an extended two miles and three. Tanking Along is of interest for the in-form Patrick Neville team.

The seven-year-old has won three times from 12 starts over fences, and was a clear-cut winner over two miles and four at Perth in the middle of October. Was raised 8lb for that win, but looks a different prospect since the headgear has been applied.

The opening race from Ascot is the Underwriting Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. Jet To Vegas has previous winning form over this weekend’s distance, bouncing back to his best when last seen winning at Market Rasen.

Was previously pulled up in a Novice Handicap Chase at Punchestown at the end of last season. Typically thrives in the early weeks of the season, echoed by his second-place finish in a Beginners’ Chase at Ascot last November.

Next up is the Listed Mares’ Hurdle, run over a distance of two miles. La Conquiere could be an interesting alternative against the favourite for the in-form Jamie Snowden yard.

The seven-year-old is lightly raced over hurdles, winning twice from five starts. Excelled at the start of last season, winning a pair of races at Uttoxeter and Newbury, before finishing a close second behind Ooh Betty in the Grade Two Warfield Mares’ Hurdle.

Ascot’s next race is the Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase. Haas Boy has the fitness advantage after running second behind Gower Prince at Chepstow on his return in October.

Typically thrives at Ascot, as evidenced at the end of last season when beating Authoceltic over course and distance. Has won a respectable three of his eight starts over fences, and still looks as though there is more to come. Current mark looks workable.

A competitive renewal of the Grade Two bet365 Hurdle is due off at 14:18. Strong Leader is the one to beat, but he could be vulnerable, giving plenty of weight away to the race-fit Take No Chances.

The eight-year-old for Dan Skelton likely needed her return run at Chepstow last time. Looks progressive throughout last season, finishing a neck behind Strong Leader in this race 12 months ago.

Followed that with a decent third in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle and a runner-up finish behind Home By The Lee in the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle.

Ascot’s next race is the Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase, run over a distance of three miles. Added headgear appeared to have the desired impact last time, when Queensbury Boy won for the second time over fences at Market Rasen.

He stayed on strongly on that day, indicating that enough crack over three miles could be worth exploring. Brendan Powell is back aboard the seven-year-old, who could be the improver in this field over fences.

The Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase headlines the card at Wetherby on Saturday. Pic d’Orhy should be respected, although the layoff is a concern.

Therefore, The Real Whacker could be the interesting contender after bouncing back to winning ways for the first time since landing the Grade One Brown Advisory Chase in 2023 last time out.

The ten-year-old jumped excellently in first-time headgear on that day, carrying top weight efficiently, winning by over two lengths. Race fitness gives him a big advantage.

The first notable Grade One of the jumps season is set for Down Royal, as a distance of three miles will be covered in the Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase.

Banbridge was an excellent winner on the flat last month, beating Ballybawn Belter by two lengths. The Joseph O’Brien will come on for that run, and has an excellent record over fences, which includes winning the Grade One King George VII Chase in December 2024 and finishing second in the same race last year.

Flat track should suit, and recent fitness is a big plus.

The final race from Wetherby on Saturday is a handicap hurdle over two miles. Race To Base should be primed for a big run on his second start after wind surgery.

The six-year-old was last seen finishing second in the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle. Was a winner over hurdles last season and should be open to improvement on his seasonal return.

The finale on ITV comes from Ascot, as an extended mile and seven will be covered in the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle.

Gower Prince is an interesting handicap back over hurdles after landing a recent win over Haas Boy at Chepstow.

The eight-year-old represents the in-form Jonjo & A J O’Neill stable, and is rated 3lb lower over hurdles than he is over fences. Benjamin Macey takes off 5lb, which could be key to his chances.