There’s a bumper TEN races live on ITV on Saturday, who are showing the key races at Aintree, Newcastle and Wincanton. GG writer Dan Corbally guides us through his tips for all ten races on ITV on Saturday, including his pick for the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Back his selections with BetMGM’s HUGE new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you deposit and bet £10!
1.15pm Wincanton – Boodles Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Class 3)
Flagrant Delitiep was the early market-mover in here and is afforded plenty of respect but MIDNIGHT MIDGE can take this. His mark of 119 looks attractive, especially given that he was runner-up in this race two-years ago off 118. Ben Godfrey couldn’t claim off him that day whereas Elizabeth Gale can claim a generous eight pounds today. He was a touch disappointing on seasonal debut but he may have needed that after 234 days off and if he’s right today he shouldn’t be far away.
1.30pm Newcastle – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Irish EBF Gillies’ Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)
A very well contested event with all-important back-type on offer for the fillies and mares. Mukaddamah is clearly above average but struggles to put together a decent string of runs, Persist maybe doesn’t carry as much class but her master-trainer William Haggas does so well with his fillies when targeting them at pattern races. Veil Of Shadows is an unexposed daughter of Frankel who put in a career-best at Group 3 level last time out and can’t be discounted but VERA VERTO takes the selection. She’s been kept on the go since December 2022 but is clearly thriving on her racing, taking three handicaps over the summer before another career-best when runner-up behind One Evening in a Listed race (1m6f) at Bath. She travelled into that race like a dream before just wilting late on in heavy conditions, she drops back to 1m2f today but this track will suit and she can outrun double-digit odds.
1.50pm Wincanton – Boodles “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
KNAPPERS HILL is going to be all the rage in here, he was the subject of a slight upset on his seasonal/chase bow, but he likely needed that run whereas Unexpected Party was fit and ready according to connections. There’s every possibility this was the aim with Knappers Hill and he’s a long way clear on ratings. It’d be remiss of us not to mention Doyen Star, who although nearly two stone inferior to the favourite on official ratings, is totally unexposed and looks high-class in a limited season over timber. He showed he can go well after a break so if short-price favourites aren’t your thing he could offer some value. Connections may choose to do some damage in handicaps for that runner should things not pan out here in a tough contest.
2.05pm Newcastle – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Wentworth Stakes (Listed)
SENSE OF DUTY (NAP) is a standout selection here, she landed the Chipchase over course and distance last year She was presumably considered able to achieve more on the track and was kept in training, facing a tall task in the Champions Sprint at Ascot and will fit this much easier. Cieren Fallon and William Haggas have enjoyed a fruitful time of it of late on the all-weather and can collect this prize. Others to watch for include the two Nick Bradley Racing fillies Sophia’s Starlight and Secret Angel who have proved more than capable of mixing it at this level.
10 To Follow – Tom Aldridge’s Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. Next up it’s the turn of GG’s chief editor Tom Aldridge to give his selections, which include one he thinks could take on Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, plus one he…
Wed 25 Oct 20232.25pm Wincanton – 62nd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Not many racing fans would begrudge Frodon a win to defend his crown, but he’s got the welter burden of top weight at 12 stone today. He proved capable of the task in this contest last season but didn’t add to that success thereafter and father time may be catching up on him. Ashtown Lad is respected but most of the Skelton runners looked to need their return. CERTAINLY RED acts particularly well after a break, and has a 3/3 record over 3m+ at this track. He’s missed a couple of engagements in recent weeks but if connections roll the dice today he could run very well in here.
2.45pm Aintree – BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (Class 2)
A race we can count ourselves somewhat lucky to enjoy, having survived a track inspection and getting the go ahead. Plenty of this has experience over these fences, with GESSKILLE, Percussion & Fantastic Lady having run with plenty of credit in this race, The Topham & Becher respectively. Conditions are likely make this an attritional slog, so the stamina of Gesskille and Percussion can see them come to the fore. The selection, Gesskile, has already been in winning form this season, taking out a Listed race at Auteil and could still have more to come. Half Shot and Cooper’s Cross both bring Scottish National form to the equation and will be staying on well.
3.00pm Wincanton – JenningsBet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2)
We preview this race earlier in the week, in it we mentioned the race really had the potential to cut up and RUBAUD could be value at 4/5. It’s a touch surprising to see that price hold up but it doesn’t dent the confidence that he can lead this field the whole way round. Harry Cobden mentioned despite the impressive success on seasonal debut that he still needed the run and will come on for that. That provides a mouthwatering prospect for the season ahead, another we can look forward to this season in the context of this race is Hansard, who makes his seasonal debut, he looked like a well-above average novice hurdler last season and could still deliver on that promise.
3.20pm Aintree – BoyleSports Acca Boost On Horse Racing Hurdle (Class 2)
A very small field which is a bit disappointing, West Balboa is double entered with this her first choice. She remains unexposed and landed a Premier Handicap over 3miles at this track at the festival last season and previously landed the Lanzarote Hurdle. However, as previously mentioned, the majority of Dan Skelton’s team are just needing a run. BREWIN’UPASTORM rates the selection on that basis, he took this race two years ago and was unlucky to come down early when favourite last season. He may have to concede 9lbs to West Balboa but he’s shown he can go well fresh and this will likely have been the target. Millers Bank is no back number and could provide system-backers of “the outsider of three” with a winner.
3.32pm Wincanton – JenningsBet Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
Three have these have met previously, with Lime Avenue coming out on top from Ilovethenightlife and Great Snow in February of this year. She hasn’t been seen since but has plenty of potential, but ILOVETHENIGHTLIFE bounced back from unseating that day by landing a double before a respectable fifth at Listed level at Cheltenham in April. Her yard had a big winner at Exeter on Friday and had plenty run with credit on return from a break.
3.45pm Newcastle – Virgin Bet November Handicap (Class 2)
The unexposed and now gelded Local Dynasty could be all the rage in here for the Appleby team have enjoyed a strong finish to the season. This represents a two-furlong step up in trip and although that can suit, he doesn’t look entirely straight-forward. That can leave the door open for TEUMESSIAS FOX, he blew an all-weather handicap apart on on the back of a break and gelding operation back in March before taking another handicap on turf. He’s 4lbs higher than for the latter win but Callum Hutchinson claims 3lbs and he’s been freshened up for this.
ITV Racing Tips
Check out this weeks Weekend Watch, where Andrew Mount, Dave Young and Kate Tracey guide us through their picks for all 10 ITV races on Saturday:
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.