A real Friday treat is on offer for racing fans on Friday afternoon, as Cheltenham returns to terrestrial television with five races taking place on ITV Racing, while there’s a trio of meetings coming from Doncaster, as they host some competitive action. Our GG tipster Steve Chambers picks out his best bets for the live ITV racing here…
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1.15 Cheltenham – EAST INDIA EXPRESSS (1pt win – 7/1 generally)
It all kicks off on ITV with a rip-snorting betting heat for punters to work out, but the Nicky Henderson-trained top-weighted EAST INDIA EXPRESS could just prove to be a real cut above his rivals, and he can win this prize before going on to bigger and better things. Seventh in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival, the Seven Barrows inmate then built on that with a win at Cheltenham’s April meeting, where he bounded to a six-length win. Given an 8lbs rise for that victory means he takes his chance off 137 here, but the manner in which he claimed that win certainly suggested there’s a lot more to come. A winner on his first start last season, he will also have Freddie Gordon in the saddle once again, and the pair can emulate their April win back at Prestbury Park.
2.25 Cheltenham – CAVERN CLUB (1pt e/w – 10/1 bet365)
With two wins (one flat, one jumps) in his last four races, James Owen’s CAVERN CLUB has proven to be a real model of consistency and he looks a solid each-way prospect in the 2.25pm at Cheltenham. Another difficult assignment for punters, this five-year-old was last seen finishing fourth at Market Rasen, but a return to a stiffer test around Cheltenham could bring on improvement. An excellent second at Cheltenham’s November meeting last season highlighted his ability to deliver the goods at the track, and with race fitness on his side he should be able to run a big race here.
3.18 Doncaster – MIDNIGHT GUN (1pt win – 4/1 William Hill)
Sent off a 9/2 favourite for the Lincoln Handicap at the start of the flat season, Hamad Al Jehani’s MIDNIGHT GUN could only finish sixth in that valuable Doncaster handicap. Not seen for six months he returned with a mediocre seventh placed finish at Haydock Park off a 1lb lower mark of 100. Lining up off that same figure on Friday, Midnight Gun is sure to strip significantly fitter for that recent outing and if he can show his best then he looks capable of landing success in the 3.18pm contest. He could enjoy the drop back to 7f from the Lincoln mile in this contest, as he just failed to see it out in the closing stages back in March, so 7f should really suit and he can get back on the winning thread.
3.35 Cheltenham – JASKO DES DAMES (1pt win – 4/1 BetVictor)
A winner of this race last season, Calico is entitled to be towards the forefront of the betting, while the classy Matata’s inclusion means that the rest of the field will be in receipt of significant weight from that star performer. So, it’s worth taking a chance on Irish raider JASKO DES DAMES, who makes the trip across the water for Henry De Bromhead. Fifth in the Grand Annual at the festival back in the spring, he warmed up for this with a second placed finish at Limerick last month and that should put him right for this. He’s off 136 in this event, so will need a career best, but still only six years old he’s open to improvement and can down his British rivals with aplomb.
GG ITV Racing Tips For Friday 24th October