Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips from Newbury and Warwick (12/02/22)

 

As the 2022 Cheltenham Festival gets ever closer and the dust settles after the Dublin Racing Festival, we have a bit of a lul in proceedings until the big four days March, but nonetheless there is still some exciting races on ITV this weekend.

Trainers are looking to get one more run into their inmates before the Festival and some horses who feature in the eight ITV races on Saturday will have bigger targets in mind through the spring, with Bravemansgame being one of them.

All eight of the Cheltenham races are previewed below with a betting tip for each, as well as a bet £10 get £15 in free bets sign-up bonus from The Pools, which might appeal to you.

 

1:15 Newbury

The first race from Newbury on ITV is a novice handicap chase over 3m and it’s an intriguing contest on paper.

I expect BRAVEMANSGAME (8/11) will prove good enough to give the weight away here and win this before moving onto bigger Spring targets. He’s a natural jumper and his Grade 1 victory over Ahoy Senor on Boxing Day has since been given a boost as this horse won easily at Wetherby last week. He should just prove too good for this lot. Weight no object.

 

1:35 Warwick

The 1:35 from Warwick is another Saturday Mares Hurdle with a small turnout again. Four are set to go to post for the 2m contest.

I will chance WHITEHOTCHILLIFILLI (11/2) here. She’s likely to get her own way in front as the three rivals like to come from off the pace. She’s more speed than stamina so this tight quick track could be perfect for her. If she can slip away from them, she could prove tough to catch today.

 

1:50 Newbury

The 1:50 race from Newbury is a trappy handicap hurdle over the 3m trip.

The one I like is SUSSEX RANGER EW (14/1). I expect Sussex Ranger to go from the front here and I think he’ll be hard to keep out the frame if he does. He’ll appreciate the return to quicker ground and that’ll help him over this 3m trip. He has a loving racing weight of 10’3 for the Moore team who continue in fine fettle. He’s more than capable of winning off this current mark in my opinion. Hopefully today is that day.

 

2:05 Warwick

The 2:05 race is another four runner contest. The Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices Chase over 2m could tell us the English leading hope for the Arkle in March.

My selection here is EDWARDSTONE (10/11). I expect him to win and go close to favouritism for the Arkle. He’s done nothing wrong in winning his last three starts which including an easy victory over second favourite Third Time Lucki at Sandown last time out. I don’t see how that form is reversed here and anything around the even money mark seems fair to me.

 

2:25 Newbury

The 2:25 contest is next up and it is the Grade 2 Denman Chase with 5 runners set to go to post.

My selection here is CLAN DES OBEAUX (Evs). He is the best horse in the race and has everything in his favour with regards to track, trip and ground. Even though he was slightly disappointing in the King George on Boxing Day, he still finished second and a repeat performance would see him win this I’d suspect. Royal Pagaille needs the heavens to open which appears unlikely.

 

3:00 Newbury

The 3:00 race is another Grade 2 contest, the Game Spirit Chase over 2m. Only four are set to run here and all arguably have a chance.

I think SCEAU ROYAL NB (2/1) will win this again. He is always underrated by the bookmakers and I think he has been again today. He is the best horse on form here and he won this last year following a similar path to what he has done again this year. He’s rising 10 years of age but I still he’s capable of winning at this level, especially on his beloved quicker ground.

 

3:15 Warwick

The final race from Warwick on ITV comes up at 3:15 and it is a competitive handicap chase for punters to enjoy over the 2m4f distance.

The one I’ve landed on here is FALCO BLITZ (11/2). He won well last time out at Kempton and I think he’s capable of following up again today. He’s only up 3lb for that win and he’ll be well suited by this better ground. If he can get into a similar jumping rhythm as he did at Kempton he can continue to show us his potential. I feel he has a lot of ability when putting it all together.

 

3.35 Newbury

The feature race of the day ends proceedings on ITV, the Betfair Hurdle over the 2m trip.

The selection here is SOARING GLORY NAP (13/2). This is his cup of tea. A decent handicap with plenty of runners and plenty of pace. He won this last year in taken fashion which shows this course and distance is ideal for him. He won a competitive handicap hurdle at Ascot earlier in the season and he’s only 4lb higher for that win here today. I’m happy to ignore his runs since as the small field tactical races certainly don’t suit him. This does.

 

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