IT’S a crazy day on ITV4 Racing on Saturday, with eight races crammed into just over two hours – so being at home will be just like being in the betting shop!
Meetings from Wincanton, Doncaster and Aintree are covered, so let’s see what damage we can do to Paddy by finding a few winners. You hear me Paddy?
Gallop over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds
We start at Wincanton, and the 1.50pm is a mares’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m 5f. There’s a stamina doubt over If You Say Run, so I will go with recent Newton Abbot winner LITTERALE CI, who was an eye-catcher when beaten two efforts ago. She put that right last time for Harry Fry and can progress despite a big weight.
Next up is a Grade 2 novices’ chase over an extended 2m4f at 2.25pm. SECRET INVESTOR should run huge here for trainer Paul Nicholls. A confirmed stayer and in great form, he was a decent winner at Chepstow last time. Has every chance of a four-timer.
It’s the Elite Hurdle, a Grade 2, over nearly 2m at 3.00pm. Verdana Blue is in cracking form, but WE HAVE A DREAM has done nothing wrong and I’ll take a chance he’s good enough to carry on the fine work for Nicky Henderson and Daryl Jacob. He was superb at Aintree last season, having missed Cheltenham.
And finally at Wincanton the 3.35pm is a handicap chase over an extended 3m 1f. No doubt the unexposed horse is EL BANDIT, who only ran once last season for Nicholls in a small field. However, he’s got loads of class and might just be good enough to take this off a mark of 139.
The one race ITV show from Aintree is the 2.40pm, a handicap chase over nearly 2m 4f. KING’S ODYSSEY has run really well on his last two starts to Cheltenham and has decent each-way claims for Evan Williams. He’s got nothing in hand on ratings but can progress.
Over at Doncaster, the 1.30pm, a Listed fillies’ stakes over an extended 1m 2f. I really like MAID TO REMEMBER here, who gets the trip strong and has a decent rating. She hasn’t won for a while, but this could be for the taking after a second last time in similar class.
The 2.05pm is a Listed 6f sprint. I’ll have a few quid each-way on LIBRISA BREEZE, who has not been at his best this season. Conditions are ideal here for Dean Ivory’s star and if he is going to bounce back – the last day is the time to do it.
And finally at Doncaster, the feature Flat race of the day is the November Handicap at 3.15pm over nearly 1m 4f.
Jumps trainer Paul Nicholls may hold the key here with BIRDS OF PREY, who was unlucky on the all-weather before finishing second at Haydock.
He could be well handicapped and appeared like he’d stay the 1m 4f trip after that last run. Has had a wind operation as well. He’s an each-way price in a race where Paddy’s paying 6 places!
So best of luck and hope for a Yeeehaaa or two. You hear me Paddy?
Gallop over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds