*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Tips:
13:30 Doncaster – Nusret
13:50 Cheltenham – Simply The Betts
14:25 Cheltenham – Epatante
14:40 Doncaster – Heroique De Maulde
15:00 Cheltenham – Weveallbeencaught
15:15 Doncaster – Ewood Park
15:35 Cheltenham – Indefatigable
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:30 Doncaster – Nusret
Weather permitting ITV Saturday gets under way here with a Listed juvenile hurdle over an extended 2m. NUSRET was a pretty decent Flat horse rated in the 90s at one point and stayed well on the level. He ran in a big field at Punchestown first time over hurdles and travelled really strongly throughout. His jumping was fairly good although suggested he will improve in that department. Hard to beat for Joseph O’Brien and Daryl Jacob.
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13:50 Cheltenham – Simply The Betts
The feature betting race of the day in the December Gold Cup Handicap over an extended 2m4f. SIMPLY THE BETTS was beaten at long odds on at Ascot last time but a match just didn’t suit him as he ran away with David Maxwell. The Paul Nicholls-trained runner is a well handicapped horse now off 149 and course and distance are no issue. Maxwell is the first to admit he’s not the best jockey in the world, but he should get some cover in this race and even though turned over last time Simply the Betts showed he still had some life in him. I’ll chance him eachway at double digit odds.
14:25 Cheltenham – Epatante
This is the Grade 2 International Hurdle over 2m1f. This is a good little heat although perhaps not the best betting race of all time. EPATANTE should still be too good for this lot even though she was stuffed by Constitution Hill at Newcastle when last seen. I Like to Move it is improving and on ratings has a pretty good chance but I expect Nicky Henderson’s former Champion Hurdle hero to be too good under the excellent Aidan Coleman.
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14:40 Doncaster – Heroique De Maulde
Now a handicap chase over 2m3f. I really like the look of the French import HEROIQUE DE MAULDE who looks promising for James Ewart. A second on British debut at Newcastle was decent and he went down in a right battle. Seemed to jump very well and that will stand him in a good place for Brian Hughes.
15:00 Cheltenham – Weveallbeencaught
Another Grade 2 here in a novice hurdle over 3m. WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT is a very strong stayer and might keep going better than most here for Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies. The Newbury bumper winner ran a fine third at this track on hurdling debut and and with normal improvement should take care of this lot over a longer trip which is sure to suit.
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15:15 Doncaster – Ewood Park
Here’s a novices’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m3f. This is pretty open. It’s annoying not having eachway betting 1-2-3 and I’ll just hope EWOOD PARK is better than what we saw when he beat one home at Southwell last time. He ran well at this track in a novice hurdle back in the day and should be better than a 105 horse on that effort. Adrian Heskin rides for Olly Murphy.
15:35 Cheltenham – Indefatigable
Finally a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f. A tricky race to sort out. If INDEFATIGABLE is going to bounce back to winning ways it might just be at this track for Paul Webber and Harry Cobden, The former Cheltenham Festival winner is a classy horse on a going day and she might get a nice gallop to run at in the race. The handicapper doesn’t give her much help but she does bring some class to the table.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Tips:
13:30 Doncaster – Nusret
13:50 Cheltenham – Simply The Betts
14:25 Cheltenham – Epatante
14:40 Doncaster – Heroique De Maulde
15:00 Cheltenham – Weveallbeencaught
15:15 Doncaster – Ewood Park
15:35 Cheltenham – Indefatigable
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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