ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 31st January from Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown

1:25 Sandown

The first race from Sandown is a novice handicap hurdle over 2m4f.

The horse I like is DE KINGPIN (3/1). The Ben Pauling trained 6 year-old is on an upward curve and given the fact he’s only had 5 starts including a point-to-point run, he’s entitled to continue improving. He ran a cracker when we last saw him finishing a close second behind Captain Bellamy at Newbury. The front two pulled 7 lengths clear that day and he was staying on right to the line. The stiffer test over this trip that Sandown offers looks sure to suit and he’s the one for me.

 

1:42 Musselburgh 

Next up is Musselburgh and we have the Scottish Triumph Hurdle over 2m first up 

The one for me is MAITRE EN SCIENCE (11/4). He looks the part of paper having run three times over hurdles in France finishing runner-up on the first two occasions before winning on his final start. That experience over hurdles will certainly be beneficial and he’s joined a shrewd yard in the Harry Derham stable. There is nothing in here that has shown a high level of form so I’m happy to chance him taken a further step forward now on English soil and given the Derham yard a nice ITV winner after a tricky time.

 

2:00 Sandown

The 2:00 from Sandown is a trappy 2m handicap chase

My selection is ETALON (9/4). He is certainly handicapped to win and he will be well suited by this stiff 2 mile trip on soft ground. It’s a weak field and main rival Martator looks high enough in the weights now. Etalon is a worthy favourite.

 

2:17 Musselburgh

The 2:17 from Musselburgh is the Scottish Handicap County Hurdle again over 2 miles.

The one for me is FLORIDA DREAMS (5/1) NB who just looks well handicapped if putting his best foot forward. A mark of 126 is definitely generous especially when you look back on his bumper form.  He was a good winner at Hexham over 2 miles in October 2024 before finishing a good 5th in the competitive Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on his next start. He stepped up to 2m4f on soft ground when we last saw him at Aintree and I just don’t think that is his bag. A fast run 2 miles on quicker ground looks to be what he wants and this is a race in which he will certainly get that. A previous winner here at Musselburgh, I like his chances.

 

2:35 Sandown

The feature from Sandown comes up at 2:35, the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase over 2m4f.

I was really taken by JANGO BAIE (10/11) NAP first time out over fences when winning at Cheltenham. He jumped like a seasoned veteran and beating Springwell Bay by 6 lengths was duly boosted when that horse bolted up on his next start back at Cheltenham. Jango Baie was a Grade 1 winning novice hurdler so he certainly has the class and he already looks like he can go to the top over fences. Nicky Henderson often improves his horses further when they see a fence and this lad looks to be no exception. The stiff jumping test Sandown has to offer should hold no fears based on his chase debut and he’s the one they have to beat in my opinion.

 

2:50 Musselburgh 

It’s back to Musselburgh for the 2:50, the Scottish Champion Chase over an extended 2m4f trip. 

The one for me is MARBLE SANDS (6/1) who has shown a strong level of form this season. A decent winner on seasonal return when fending off Colonel Harry at Carlisle, he then went to Newcastle and ran respectfully finishing third in the competitive Rehearsal Chase.  He was the only one that made up ground as the front two were prominent throughout. He then went to Cheltenham and chased home Springwell Bay finishing second in a similar handicap chase. Despite those two good efforts, the handicap has dropped him 3lbs which seems very generous on paper. He looks sure to run his race.

 

3:07 Sandown

The 3:07 from Sandown is a handicap hurdle for the stayers over 3 miles.

It is DARTMOOR PIRATE (9/1) EW I like in this. He was well fancied when finishing a good second at Wincanton last time out behind Thomas Mor. The 6-year-old is open to more improvement and I think stamina is his forte.  10’7 is a lovely racing weight and he is the one for me in here.

 

3:30 Leopardstown 

We head to Leopardstown for a fantastic renewal of the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup.

I do think GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (4/7) can confirm placings with Fact to File here.  An emphatic winner of the Grade 1 Savills Chase over Christmas where he powered clear up the run in to win by over 7 lengths. I find it hard not to see another victory here around his favourite track Leopardstown. He’s still only a 9 year-old and I see no reason why he can’t continue to prove that he’s still the number one in the staying chase division. The rest of the field bar Fact To File would have to take a huge step forward to even trouble the favourite if he runs his race.

 

3:42 Sandown

The final race comes from Sandown is a 3m handicap chase.

The one for me is O’CONNELL (6/1) EW. A good winner at Carlisle back in December 2024 in a race that will work out well, he followed that up with a dominant display at Market Rasen last time out winning by 9 lengths. His main danger came down 2 from home that day but he would have won pretty easily anyway in my opinion. He’s a chaser going places and with the Sue Smith yard in decent nick at the moment, I think he has every chance of landing the hat-trick. Gavin Sheehan takes the rides which I like.

 

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