ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 25th January from Cheltenham & Doncaster
1:15 Cheltenham
The opener is the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle trial over 2m1f.
I think EAST INDIA DOCK is a worthy favourite here. I was impressed with how he powered up the hill here at Cheltenham when we last seen him and I’d expect more of the same today. Sauvignon appears to need dig in the ground and Stencil looks to be more of a Fred Winter horse. East India Dock can continue his progression with a victory before bigger targets await in the Spring.
1:30 Doncaster
The first of four live races from Doncaster is a handicap chase over the extended 2 mile trip.
I’d chance HERBIERS here for the thriving Guerriero/Greenall yard. Down 6lb for two poor showings this season, if he can return to the form of some of last season’s effort, he’s handicapped to go very close. With the stable in rude form, returning to a track he’s previously won at, today might just be that day. He’s only 8 so his best days should be ahead of him, hopefully he can get back on track here at a decent price.
1:50 Cheltenham
The 1:50 from Cheltenham is a competitive handicap chase over an extended 2m4f.
It’s GINNY’S DESTINY NAP for me here. Entitled to improve for his first outing of the season as he always does, there was signs of promise when third on heavy ground behind Djelo at Huntingdon. This track and trip suits his style well as we seen last season and I think he should be able get to the front here and try and dictate things. He’s dropped 3lbs and on the form of his Grade 1 Novice form from last season, he looks to have a right chance under ideal conditions.
2:05 Doncaster
The 2:05 from Doncaster is the River Don Novices Hurdle, a Grade 2 over an extended 3 miles.
It is MOON ROCKET I like in this. Despite not beating much, he’s bolted up in two novice hurdles this season and looks to have stamina in abundance as he shown when pulling clear over 3m at Southwell last time out. He is the unknown quality in the line-up really and he could be anything. He’s entitled to improve again and I’d be happy to chance him in this given his unexposed nature and the promise he’s shown us already.
2:25 Cheltenham
It’s back to Cheltenham for the 2:25, the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over the extended 3m1f.
The one for me is GENTLEMANSGAME. He ran a cracker last time out in the Saville Chase finishing third behind star chasers Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File. I think that is stronger form than L’Homme Presse’s King George run and therefore at the prices I’d have to favour the selection. There’s not much to split them but Venetia’s horses have gone slightly off the boil. L’Homme Presse’s is often best fresh so therefore I’m happy to take him on.
2:40 Doncaster
The 2:40 from Doncaster is the Yorkshire Rose Mares Hurdle, a Grade 2 over an extended 3 miles.
I’d be happy to go with JETERA to make the trip over from Ireland worthwhile here. We know Irish challengers have to always be respected coming over to the UK shores and this mare looks to hold a strong chance. She ran well enough when we last seen her at Grade 3 level finishing third behind Mares Hurdle contender July Flower and Kali Conti. Connections reach for the cheekpieces and I’d be hoping they just shorten her up a bit. The main danger looks to be Kateira who may have other targets further down the line this season.
3:00 Cheltenham
The 3:00 is the Unibet Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest over 2m1f.
This does look a penalty kick for Constitution Hill. It is not a betting race by any stretch of the imagination. I’d enjoy the spectacle and hopefully everything goes smoothly ahead of the main target in March.
3:15 Doncaster
The 3:15 from Doncaster is the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase over 3m.
It is FORWARD PLAN for me who’s a really good handicap chaser and looks to be coming to the boil nicely this season. He improved for his seasonal return to finish a really good third here last time out staying on strongly to be never nearer. He should be at peak fitness and with jockey Chad Bament taken 10lb off, he looks to hold a very lively chance in this.
3:35 Cheltenham
The final race is the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over 3 miles.
It is GOWEL ROAD NB for me. He just seems the solid one in here. Crambo is better fresh and comes here after a hard race at Ascot and Strong Leader was very poor there and has to bounce back. Gowel Road is sure to run his race and deserves to get his head in front. Four seconds on the trot suggest he doesn’t like to win but he doesn’t appear to lack that willing attitude, he’s just finding one too good. His effort behind Lucky Place in the Relkeel Hurdle was a great effort and the step back up to 3m isn’t a problem. He’ll likely be able to dictate from the front too and set his own fractions. Solid chance.
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