** UPDATE: TODAY’S RACING AT AYR HAS BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO A FROZEN TRACK **
ITV will be carrying 3 races from Cork (14.13, 14.28 and 15.23) to replace those lost at Ayr. Click here for our best bets for today’s meeting at Cork.
13:50 Sandown – San Benedeto
ITV coverage gets under way with this handicap chase at Sandown over nearly 2m. There are some obvious in form horses here, but I am going to take a chance each-way with SAN BENEDETO. He is down in trip and is dangerously well handicapped off a mark of 143. At the age of 10 his best days might simply be behind him, but I’ll take a chance at big odds for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
14:05 Ayr – Flowery – *RACING ABANDONED*
ITV show this handicap chase over an extended 2m 4f. FLOWERY loves heavy ground and that might be the key for Iain Jardine and Conor O’Farrell. She had a spin at this track in October and ran perfectly well off this handicap mark, so should go close.
14:25 Sandown – Metier
Now the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle over 2m. METIER was a decent Flat horse and has taken really well to hurdles winning both starts for Harry Fry at Ascot and Newton Abbot. He jumps a bit right, so should love this track and goes with juice and stays. He could be hard to beat under Sean Bowen.
14:40 Ayr – Donna’s Diamond- *RACING ABANDONED*
Now a handicap hurdle over an extended 3m, where stamina will be key and I’m chancing the old boy DONNA’S DIAMOND. The grey is 12 now, so a mark of 142 is no gimme. However, he’s been classy and might just take some catching in this field with conditions ideal for a big show if he’s anywhere near right.
DON’T MISS
- CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
- … THEN GET ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS PAGES
Read: Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s slick picks for Saturday’s ITV races
15:00 Sandown – Potters Legend
This is a handicap chase for veterans over 3m. POTTERS LEGEND is an inform, strong stayer so must have place claims at the very least for Lucy Wadham and Jack Quinlan. He’s run well at Cheltenham and when winning at Warwick. He should give his supporters a good each-way shout.
15:15 Ayr – Strong Economy- *RACING ABANDONED*
We are set for a handicap chase here over 3m, where STRONG ECONOMY stays well and gets plenty of weight from the likes of Takingrisks. With just 10st on his back he might well come with a late rattle to pick up the others under Derek Fox for Ian Duncan. He was a good winner at the track in December.
15:35 Sandown – Highway One O Two
And finally from Sandown, it’s a handicap hurdle over 2m. The class act here is HIGHWAY ONE O TWO, who has been a disaster over fences recently but is back hurdling for Chris Gordon and Tom Cannon. He banged in three on the trot last term and might well be able to give the weight away if back to his best over the smaller obstacles. An each-way chance.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman tips summary:
13:50 Sandown – San Benedeto
14:25 Sandown – Metier
15:00 Sandown – Potters Legend
15:35 Sandown – Highway One O Two
READ MORE:
- Paddy Power Millionaire Chase: Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day meet abandoned – what happens now
- Cheltenham 2021: Clues & Questions for the Festival from the Christmas period
- Paddy’s literally all over racing on the telly thanks to our new ITV sponsorship