Matt Chapman: The picks you need for Saturday at Sandown and Wincanton

It’s another busy day on ITV Saturday with seven races crammed into the show from Sandown and Wincanton. Plenty of betting opportunities.

Let’s get straight to it. Champion Hurdle hope Laurina returns in the Listed mares’ hurdle at 13:50 over an extended 2m3f. Basically nothing to say about this event. She’s miles the best on ratings and will win bar an accident. Nice to have a raider from the Willie Mullins stable.

After Laurina’s walk in the park is the 14:25 at Sandown, the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle over 2m. With both Elixir de Nutz and Southfield Stone liking to lead, I’m going to take Rathhill to pick up the pieces for Nicky Henderson. Hendo has strength in depth in this department and my selection looked really good at Newbury last time. Hard to know what the form is worth yet, but the runner-up had plenty of experience off the Flat.

Next up is the veterans handicap chase over 3m at 15:00. This is wide open, but I expect a good run from Henllan Harri who likes this track and stays well. He was the 40-1 winner of the once Whitbread back in 2017, and has returned to form in his last two starts. Worth a few quid each-way for Peter Bowen.

Finally at Sandown a handicap hurdle over 2m at 15:35. Monsieur Lecoq was a decent winner last time after racing in France and might well be able to follow up. He should get an easy lead if he wants one, with the only pace pressure probably coming from Eragon de Chanay. Good chance for Jane Williams and Lizzie Kelly.

Over at Wincanton, ITV show the 14:05, a novices’ limited handicap chase over 2m4f. This is not that easy but I guess Kupatana is the obvious winner if he stands up. The Henderson runner unseated last time at this track, but with Nico de Boinville back up has every chance of getting back to winning ways.

Next is the 14:40 handicap hurdle over an extended 2m5f. I like the look of Tedham here, who has yet to win in four races but who has suggested a win is close. A third at Chepstow and a second at Exeter were fine efforts for the Jonjo O’Neill runner.

And the form tells a story doesn’t it: 4-3-2-?

And finally the 15:15, a handicap chase over 2m4f. I’m taking a big chance here with Opening Batsman at a big price for Harry Fry. He loves this track, and while his recent form for Fry is not good enough this place might just bring him alive again. At the end of the day if you never chance a big price you will never get a big priced winner!

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?