Mick Fitz: My picks from Thursday’s ITV races at Chepstow and Kempton

We have a mix of TV races with the ITV coverage at Chepstow for the Welsh National and at Kempton to see the mighty Altior strut this stuff.

Chepstow 13:05

I like Le Rocher to cause a little surprise here. I love a horse with winning form around this track, which this lad has.

He ran well at the premier French jumps track Auteuil last time. Add in some of his best form and it makes for him to be a very good each-way bet in a tough heat.

Chepstow 13:35

Adjali represents the double green of Simon Munir in a race that he loves to win. He was super impressive at Market Rasen and this lad will surely be among the leading juveniles after this.

Arverne is a fascinating runner for JP McManus. Keep an eye on the market because this horse won nicely at Auteuil. Quel Destin is a tough opponent so he will have to good to win. I take the Henderson horse, Adjali, but it won’t be easy.

Chepstow 14:10

Truckers Lodge was such an easy winner at Chepstow last time that, even with the rise in ratings, he has to be feared here – with the trainer very much one to follow at this track.

Chepstow 14:50

Elegant Escape is your favourite here and I think deserves to be based on his run at Newbury. He stays really well, is a course winner and has already trounced Ramses De Teillee at Exeter.

The Irish have a few chances and Folsom Blue is the one I really like here. He has a nice run at Haydock over hurdles so should be spot on for this. I am torn between him and the favourite so I am going with the younger horse Elegant Escape.

Kempton 13:20

Over at Kempton we kick off with a decent novice chase where Kalashnikov is your favourite.

I have been impressed with him over fences and they have always said he will be better on nicer ground. If that’s the case he will be hard to beat.

Dynamite Dollars has won a Grade 1, so has a penalty to carry. Kalashnikov will win but is no guarantee as the prices suggest. Dynamite Dollars will make him pull out all the stops.

Kempton 13:55

Momella is going to be very hard to beat on this ground. Her Grade 1 form at Aintree is decent but her form on this sort of ground is very smart.

Jubilympics is the interesting each-way play here, as her last run at Sandown was smart.

Kempton 14:30

This race is all about Altior.

Speredek will go along with Special Tiara and help set the race up. He may get outpaced at some stage by Altior but be prepared for the finishing kick.

Diego Du Charmil is the one for the forecast as he will be trying to pick the pocket of Altior.

Kempton 15:05

Kilcrea Vale gets the nod here as he did really well to finish third in the Grand Sefton over the National fences last time as he made quite a few mistakes. Back on this sort of ground I can see him playing a big part here.

Springtown Lake finished a good second giving weight to Me Whipped at Haydock and is a worthy favourite.

Leopardstown 15:00

The Paddy Power Chase is as you would expect a tough one to work out.

I can’t help but be drawn to Borice though. Do you remember Valtor, who won last week for Nicky Henderson and these owners at Ascot? He had a very similar profile to this lad.

Then you look at the jockey booking; none other than Davy Russell. I think he could have ridden any number of horses in here and find it interesting he is on this.

Livelovelaugh must be fancied with Ruby booked but I am going for Borice.