ITV Racing Tips - Sunday's selections at Kempton and Chepstow
We provide our tips for all eight of Sunday's ITV races from Kempton and Chepstow
The Welsh Grand National is the big betting race of the day
Shishkin and Altior will be a popular double at Kempton
Espirit Du Large, Farrants Way and Royale Pagaille feature amongst our tips
A view of last year's Welsh Grand National. (Getty)
Day two of Kempton's Christmas Festival may not feature a Grade One race, but viewers have several excellent handicaps and two Grade Two to enjoy. Chepstow's card does, however, contain a Grade One, as well as the historic Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase.
We've taken a look at each of Sunday's eight ITV races and picked out our best betting tips.
Saturday's ITV Racing Schedule
Time
Track
Title
1:05pm
Chepstow
Watch Racing For Free At Coral Handicap
Chase (Class 2) 2m3½f
1:20pm
Kempton
Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 2m
1:40pm
Chepstow
Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
1:55pm
Kempton
Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 3m
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ESPIRIT DU LARGE really lost his way after winning the Henry VII Novices' Chase at Sandown last December. Evan William's charge fell heavily in the Arkle and on his reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup, where he jumped poorly on both occasions.
There were better signs last time out at Carlisle, where Espirit Du Large finished third behind two rivals he was giving a stone to at the weights. This step-up in trip is going to help Williams' stable star settle better, and I'd be surprised if Adam Wedge's mount didn't challenge for the win.
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With just four runners in the field, I don't think there's anything to be gained by betting against SHISHKIN. Nicky Henderson's star jumped nicely here on his chasing debut, and will only have improved for that outing. His stranglehold on the 2021 Arkle Challenge Trophy betting is only going to get stronger.
Nico de Boinville riding Shishkin on their way to winning TheRacing TV Beginners' Chase at Kempton Park. (Getty)
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With no Nassalam in the final field, and nothing coming over from Ireland, this looks an incredibly poor renewal of this Grade One. Two of the top three in the market have never raced in Britain before, so I'm going to take a chance on ELHAM VALLEY, who finished off his race well when winning at Sandown, and he can hand Fergal O'Brien a rare Grade One victory.
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I really fancied MOLLY OLLYS WISHES to win a Mares' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham's International Meeting. Sadly, Dan Skelton decided late on not to run his six-year-old on very soft ground, but I'd be surprised if conditions at Kempton eased further than soft, so she should take her chance.
Having run into traffic problems at a crucial stage behind The White Mouse, Harry Skelton's mount proved herself well handicapped with a comfortable victory at Hereford. Molly Ollys Wishes has been pushed five pounds up the handicap for that performance, but I think there's still wiggle-room off her new mark, and this step up in distance should suit.
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Having booked his place at the Cheltenham Festival, FARRANTS WAY is going to need to win a couple of races just to get into the Pertemps Final in March. Last time out, Venetia Williams' six-year-old finished third behind Storm Arising on his handicap debut, where he was simply outjumped at the final couple of flights by more experienced rivals.
The gap between the two at the weights is two-pounds wider on Sunday, and you'd think bottomless ground around Chepstow would suit Williams' charge best. Farrants Way is a worthy favourite.
Altior is no stranger to success here at Kempton. (Getty)
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Duc Des Genievres was handed an easy lead at Cheltenham, and was flattered by his position behind Put The Kettle On. Rouge Vif really needs good ground to be at his best, and Sceau Royal isn't up to this sort of level over fences.
In short, I think ALTIOR is going to win fairly comfortably. When I say comfortably, I don't think this will be a romp. Nicky Henderson's returning star may appear to make hard work of it, but he'll get the job done in the end, and 8/13 isn't the worst price in the world for a horse who's still head-and-shoulders above the competition.
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You don't often see Rich Ricci's colours running in Britain, but I'm sure the charismatic American owner will have both eyes on Kempton, as ROYALE PAGAILLE has an excellent chance of building on that victory at Haydock.
Venetia Williams' six-year-old was the outsider of four that day, but looked much the best horse in the end, beating Espoir De Romay by seven lengths. Despite beating a progressive rival with ease, the handicapper has only upped Royal Pagaille five pounds to 140, and the softening ground at Kempton certainly bolsters his already strong claims.
Espirit Du Large1:05pm Chepstow Watch Racing For Free At Coral Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m3½fGET 11/2 HERE
Shishkin1:20pm Kempton Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 2mGET 1/3 HERE
Elham Valley1:40pm Chepstow Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2mGET 4/1 HERE
