Nine races will be shown live from across Kelso, Doncaster and Newbury
feature in our selections
Sir Psycho, Jango Baie and Monbeg Genius feature in our selections
Expired
Paul O'Brien riding Sir Psycho clear the last to win The Ascot Underwriting Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Ascot. (Getty)
Saturday's ITV Tips
1:20pm Newbury - Veterans' Handicap Chase Tips
1:42pm Kelso - bet365 Handicap Hurdle Tips
1:55pm Newbury - Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase Tips
2:17pm Kelso - Premier Novices' Hurdle Tips
2:35pm Doncaster - Handicap Chase Tips
2:50pm Kelso - Morebattle Hurdle Tips
3:10pm Doncaster - Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips
3:25pm Kelso - Premier Chase Tips
3:40pm Doncaster - Grimthorpe Chase Tips
Three racecourses feature on Saturday's ITV schedule. Kelso hosts a top-quality card, featuring the Morebattle Hurdle and the Premier Chase. Viewers will also enjoy three strong races from Doncaster and two chases on Greatwood Gold Cup day at Newbury.
I'd give FORTESCUE (6/1) a decent chance, on what will be his first start against his fellow veterans. Henry Daly's ten-year-old ran very well in both the Welsh Grand National Trial and the Last Fling Handicap during December, with both races coming on heavy ground.
The ground was far too quick for Fortescue at Sandown last time out, but that effort has helped Daly's ten-year-old drop down to an extremely winnable mark. Fortescue has done most of his winning during the second half of the season and Harry Cobden comes in for the ride.
1:42pm Kelso - bet365 Handicap Hurdle Tips
While I'm fearful of top-weight Brewin'Upastorm, who drops into handicap company for the first time in three years, I'd rather chance my arm with handicap debutante THE KALOOKI KID (7/2).
Nicky Richards' star kicked off this season with two impressive novice hurdle triumphs, before placing fourth behind Jeriko De Reponet in the Rossington Main last time out. The second and third from that contest, Lump Sum and Fiercely Proud fought out the finish of the Dovecote last weekend, and Jeriko Du Reponet is one of the fancied horses for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, so that form has a nice ring to it. The Kalooki Kid could be very well treated off this opening mark of 124.
1:55pm Newbury - Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase Tips
An overlooked runner in this ultra-competitive contest is SIR PSYCHO (10/1), who ran out a hugely impressive winner on debut for Harry Derham at Ascot in November. Paul O'Brien's mount was then touched off by Stormy Flight at Exeter the following month and hasn't been seen since the Long Water Novices' Handicap at Sandown at the end of January, where he overjumped the first and unseated his rider.
Derham has only run Sir Psycho right-handed thus far, but he did win well at Haydock on heavy ground for Paul Nicholls and remains fairly unexposed over fences. If he jumps like he did at Ascot, then Sir Psycho shouldn't be too far away.
2:17pm Kelso - Premier Novices' Hurdle Tips
With his yard seemingly in poor form on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival and the drama surrounding Constitution Hill, Nicky Henderson is in desperate need of a tonic and I'm hopeful that JANGO BAIE (15/8) can provide his trainer with a confidence boost.
I put Henderson's Formby Novices' Hurdle winner up for the Baring Bingham before the Sidney Banks, but sadly, Jango Baie was beaten by the talented Handstands, who was getting five pounds from the market leader. Jango Baie will again be shackled by a Grade One winner's penalty, but I can't see anything of Handstand's ability in this field.
2:35pm Doncaster - Handicap Chase Tips
I'm going to leave this race alone. I like Homme Public as a horse, and I've always had a soft spot for Nube Negra, who drops back down to handicap company. The classy Tommy's Oscar boasts plenty of strong course form too, and with a muddling pace almost guaranteed, I just can't figure out how this race might unfold.
Nico de Boinville riding Jango Baie (R) clear the last to win The GL Events Novices' Hurdle from Kielan Woods riding Tellherthename at Ascot. (Getty)
If you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet, then check out our Morebattle Hurdle Live Stream page.
3:10pm Doncaster - Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips
With at least three paid places on offer, I'm going to have a risky punt on PINOT ROUGE (25/1), who was a big eye-catcher on her hurdles debut. A winner on her sole point-to-point start, Susan Corbett's six-year-old finished like a train to place a close third at Newcastle, as the market principals fought out the finish.
Pinot Rouge is a half-sister to Advantage Point and Bushmans Pass, who've both run up to a good level in Ireland and have both won on decent ground. Stepping up in distance is sure to suit this unexposed mare. A place certainly wouldn't be beyond her.
3:25pm Kelso - Premier Chase Tips
I was planning on putting MONBEG GENIUS (7/4) up for the Ultima Handicap, on the back of his fine effort in the race last year and his run in the Coral Gold Cup. Instead, Jonjo O'Neill has chosen the Premier Chase for his star's Grand National prep and the favourite is the most appealing contender in this Listed contest.
Jonjo O'Neill Jnr's mount wasn't anywhere near fluent at Newbury, but made eye-catching late gains to place third behind Datsalrightgino and another National contender, Mahler Mission. Aye Right seems to be coming toward the end of his tether, Thunder Rock's record going left-handed is poor, Minella Drama can't be trusted and La Renommee has only ever run against the mares. Course specialist Elvis Mail is respected, but Monbeg Genius should have too much class for him.
3:40pm Doncaster - Grimthorpe Chase Tips
Some Scope is progressing at a rapid rate and Richard Hobson's star is a worthy favourite under just 10-4. However, Hobson has withdrawn his six-year-old from several assignments when the ground has turned soft and there's tons of rain in the forecast at Doncaster in the build-up to Saturday's contest.
I'm going to have a risky punt on HALF SHOT (16/1), who boasts some solid form over the past 18 months. Iain Jardine's ten-year-old placed behind Notlongtillmay, Elvis Mail and Bill Baxter last season, before finishing a 14-length seventh in the Scottish National. Half Shot was upped to a career-high mark of 129 after thrashing Inis Oirr at Musselburgh in November, and has since run fairly well behind the likes of Fidelio Vallis, Corrigeen Rock, Anglers Crag and Captain Quint.
Four of the five horses I've just mentioned have come out and won since, and Half Shot has been dropped a few pounds in the handicap for those efforts. With just 10-5 on his back, Henry Brooke's mount could have a big part to play.
Verdict
Saturday's Top ITV Racing Tips:
Best Bet1: Monbeg Genius 3:25pm Kelso @7/4 at BoyleSports - 15 Units
Best Bet2: Jango Baie 2:17pm Kelso @15/8 at bet365 - 10 Units
Best Bet3: The Kalooki Kid 1:42pm Kelso @7/2 at bet365 - 10 Units
Best Bet4: Fortescue 1:20pm Newbury @6/1 at QuinnBet - 5 Units
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