ITV Racing Tips – Saturday’s Betting Tips from Cheltenham, Doncaster and Newbury

Saturday racing returns to Cheltenham this weekend as the ITV Racing cameras cover a whopping 10 races including flat action from Doncaster and jumps action at Cheltenham and Newbury.

The first live race gets underway at 1.45pm, the first of five live races from the home of jumps racing. Doncaster plays host to the Vertem Futurity Trophy where Luxembourg is the short priced favourite.

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1:45 Cheltenham 

It’s great to be back at Cheltenham as the NH season ramps up and the opener at 1:45 is a tricky handicap hurdle to get us underway over the 2m trip.

My selection here is STRAW FAN JACK EW (16/1). He was certainly a useful novice hurdler last season running at a decent level. He ran in the Grade 1 2m4f Novice Hurdle at Aintree back in April and wasn’t disgraced finishing sixth that day. Prior to that his last 4 runs produced two victories and two second place finishes. I think he’s a huge price here.

 

2:00 Newbury

The 2:00 race from Newbury is the Horris Hill Stakes, a Group for 2 year-olds over 7f.

I like NOBLE TRUTH (5/4). Charlie Appleby is having a stellar season especially with his 2 year-olds and this lad is improving with every start. He won two starts back at Doncaster before producing a career best in Group 1 company last time out at Longchamp. On all known form, he should be beating this lot.

 

2:20 Cheltenham

A 3m1f handicap Chase is next up at HQ where Cloth Cap buds to bounce back after a disappointing run in the Grand National. He is currently the 5/1 favourite at the time of writing.

The one for me here is DEFINITE PLAN EW (10/1). Gordon Elliot often starts the season well and his horses have to be respected when coming over for the Showcase Meeting. This horse has finished 2nd on all three chase starts and now makes his handicap debut off a lively low weight with Jordon Gainford taking a further 3lb off. He wears first time cheekpieces and further improvement looks likely now appearing in a handicap for the first time.

 

2:35 Newbury 

The St Simon Stakes is next up over at Newbury, a 1m4f Group 3 race for punters to get stuck into.

I expect SISKANY (10/11) to win this. He was very impressive when making all last time out at Newmarket and he is certainly on an upward curve. He handles cut in the ground and has everything going for him today. Tough to oppose.

 

2:55 Cheltenham

Four runners go to post for the 2:55 at Cheltenham which sees some of the juveniles from last season back in action.

I think TRITONIC (10/11) will be tough to beat. Stepney Causeway is likely to go off fast and I think TRITONIC will be able to run him down in the home straight. He was always a smart horse on the level and he was Britain’s best Juvenile last season on all known form. He’s previously beat the Skelton horse by 34l at Ascot in January and I expect the distance will be a lot narrower but he’ll still win.

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3:15 Doncaster

It’s over to Doncaster next for Group 1 action, the Vertem Futurity Trophy for 2 year-olds ran over the mile.

My selection is IMPERIAL FIGHTER EW (8/1). He didn’t do much wrong when 2nd last time out behind a potential superstar in my book and he’s a nice each way price again today. He continues to be underrated by bookmakers and you have to oppose the odds on jolly Luxembourg given the stable form of Aiden O’Brien at the moment.

 

3:30 Cheltenham

It’s more handicap Chase action next up at Cheltenham, this time over the 2m distance.

The one for me here is SKY PIRATE NAP (11/4). This horse won the Grand Annual off 152 last season against a lot of horses that would have been laid out for that contest. He runs here off 159 but I think his class will see him through here. The strong pace over 2 miles suits him perfectly and he’ll appreciate the quick enough ground here. Hard to beat.

 

3:50 Doncaster

The Doncaster Stakes is next up, a 6f race of listed class.

I like DEODAR NB (5/2) here for the Ralph Beckett team. A winner on debut where the winning margin of a neck doesn’t justify how easily he won always doing enough. The second has since ran a cracker at York in a decent race up there so there is definitely some substance to that debut win and you’d expect further improvement today now he’s had that racecourse experience.

 

4:05 Cheltenham

A wide open 3m handicap hurdle is next up at Cheltenham and it’s a Pertemps qualifier so some of this might be trying more than others.

The one I’ve landed on today is BUTLERS BRIEF (11/1). An impressive winner on his last two starts I get the impression he’ll be one of those trying to land the pot today. He will appreciate the ground and the big field will suit his hold up style well here. Nick Schofield keeps the ride and I think he’s a good match for this horse.

 

4:20 Doncaster 

The final race is a trappy 5f handicap over at Doncaster.

My selection here is BOUNDLESS POWER (11/2). He’s in the form of his life after backing up his Portland second-place effort with a victory last time out at Ascot. He’s proven on soft ground and it’s hard to see being out the frame again here given his consistency at this level.

 

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