ITV Racing Tip for Saturday’s Cards at Sandown and Wincanton

1:15 Sandown

The first race live on ITV from Sandown is a handicap chase over 2m4f.

The one I’ve landed on is PEEJAYBEE (10/3) here for the Richard Spencer stable. He was well fancied last time out when backed into 3/1 fav but unfortunately he came down when still travelling well. The stable must be confident he has races in him off a mark 127. He’ll handle the soft ground which has to be a question mark for the favourite and Sean Bowen is riding as well as anyone at the moment.

 

1:30 Wincanton

The first of three races from Wincanton is another 2m4f handicap chase to get stuck into.

A difficult one to predict truth be told but I’ll take a chance on MAGIC SAINT (15/2) at the prices. There is a worry he may need this run but it won’t cost much to find out. He’s a consistent sort who has run some great races in decent handicaps over 2m and over this trip. He jumps well and is the likely pace angle. Freddie Gingell is a useful claimer and his 7lb might prove to be the different in a tight handicap where nothing sticks out.

 

1:50 Sandown

The 1:50 race is another handicap chase, this time over the 2m trip.

I like FRERO BANBOU (7/2) NAP here. He made a really encouraging seasonal return when finishing second at Ascot and although he was disappointing when 4th back there next time out, that was a competitive handicap and he was only around 12l behind improving Boothill. He’s finished third in a Grand Annual off a higher mark than he’s off today and given the fact he relishes a soft surface and is proven off further, he’ll do for me here.

 

2:05 Wincanton

The 2:05 race is a 2m handicap chase.

I’ll take a chance on INTERNE DE SIVOLA (10/3) here for the Jane Williams operation. I’m happy he goes from the front here as there is no obvious pace in the line-up and he used to bowl along out in front over hurdles. He hasn’t done that in two jumps starts as he’s been held up jumping poorly. He’s definitely got the ability to win races off a mark of 123 and similar to the first at Wincanton, there is nothing that stands out as well-handicapped. He’s the least exposed horse and hopefully he’ll improve.

 

2:25 Sandown

The Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle is next up over 2m and won last year by Constitution Hill.

There’s going to be plenty of rain so this is going to be a real test. You could argue the best horse won’t be winning. I do like Arctic Bresil but I have my doubts on Sandown soft ground so early on in his career.

I think AUTHORISED SPEED (7/4) is tough to beat here. He was the best bumper horse in the UK last year and he’s won well on both hurdles starts. He won here at Sandown last time out despite a poor jump at the last and his ability to handle deep ground and stay further will hold him in good stead here. The Moore’s love it here and the horse follows the same route Constitution Hill took when winning this last year.

 

3:00 Sandown

The finale on ITV is the popular Veterans Chase over 3m for the 10 year-olds+.

I think PRIME VENTURE (5/1) NB has been laid out for this. The Evan Williams stable know the time of day and they’ve got Prime Venture in here running off a mark of 130. He won this race last year off the same mark by 8L. He’ll relish the soft ground and this has obviously been a long term aim. The early market vibes are positive.

 

3:15 Wincanton

A short and select field for this handicap hurdle with only 4 runners going to post.

I can’t look past CHIANTI CLASSICO (8/15) here. The real classy improver against a poor field. He’ll get his own way out in front and he easily has the best form in the book anyway. Tough to beat.

 

3:35 Sandown

The finale at Sandown is a handicap hurdle over 2m and the ground will be very heavy by now.

The one for me here is PALLADIUM (20/1) EW. He’s a huge price and hasn’t ran for a while but he did show promise for Nicky Henderson as a novice hurdler. He hasn’t ran for nearly 2 years and has since been sent to Polly Gundry. However, she did get improvement out of Santini when a lot thought he was completely gone. Palladium is 2/2 from Sandown and both occasion were on deep ground. He’s never won anywhere else in fact. At a huge price, with Nico on board, throw a few bits of loose change on.

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