Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing picks on Saturday afternoon

Mick's Saturday's picks at Wetherby, Kempton & Warwick.

Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing Tips

13.10 Wetherby – Colonel Harry
13.30 Kempton  – Flegmatik
13.49 Warwick – Mel Monroe
14.07 Kempton – Edwardstone
14.24 Warwick – Apple Away
14.42 Kempton – Impose Toi
15.00 Warwick  – Malina Girl

*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.

1.10 Wetherby – Colonel Harry

Jamie Snowden is having a good season and Colonel Harry got outpaced at Sandown in the Grade 1 over 2m but finished the race off really well up the hill. He is a sound jumper too.

1.30 Kempton  – Flegmatik

I am a big fan of Flegmatik. It was a very good run at Ascot over Christmas to finish third and this is a track he has good previous form at. The ground is not an issue and I think he is handicapped to win here.

13.49 Warwick – Mel Monroe

Gordon Elliot has used this qualifier as a stepping stone to winning the Pertemps Final previously with Sire Du Berlais. Mel Monroe is a daughter of Walk In The Park and is still a novice and it’s interesting he has sent her over here for this contest. The form of her second at Navan got a boost when the third horse, Search For Glory, won a Grade 3 at Cork before Christmas.

At the weights, Martha Brae must have a chance too as she stays really well but Mel Monroe is the pick.

14.07 Kempton – Edwardstone

I have gone round and round on this race. Edwardstone is a very good jumper and I feel the faster Pic D’orhy goes the better it will be for my selection. Pic D’orhy was not impressive at Ascot, but this is a track he has a good record at, including a runaway success in this contest last year. This is a tougher race with Banbridge coming over from Ireland, but I am taking a punt on the highest-rated horse.

14.24 Warwick – Apple Away

Apple Away is a very strong stayer and receives a lot of weight from Broadway Boy so that just swings it for me. Grey Dawning won a Grade 2 over hurdles at this track last year, but I just worry that he can get one wrong over fences and I’m not sure this jumping test will play to his strengths.

If there is to be a big priced surprise it could be The Changing Man – he is better than we have seen of him so far.

14.42 Kempton – Impose Toi

Impose Toi was maybe a little unlucky at Ascot when making mistakes at the last two hurdles then getting narrowly beaten in the Betfair Exchange Hurdle. This trip will suit him better too.

I do like Nemean Lion though. Things didn’t go right for him at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Hurdle, but he is smart on his day as he showed when winning last year at Kelso. He has the beating of Sonigino on ratings so am torn between him and the Nicky Henderson trained runner. The top-weight Paul Nicholls’ top weight will find it tough enough to beat Impose Toi.

15.00 Warwick  – Malina Girl

Malina Girl won very nicely at Cheltenham in November. Ground is not an issue for her. The only concern is she is small and carrying big weights is not ideal. Crack claimer Conor Stone Walsh comes over to ride and this much flatter track will help her. She over-jumped at Cheltenham last time when coming down.

Fontaine Collonges must have a chance in here also as she won very nicely at Wetherby in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. Percussion is an each-way option as she is another good-jumping stayer.

Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing Tips

13.10 Wetherby – Colonel Harry
13.30 Kempton  – Flegmatik
13.49 Warwick – Mel Monroe
14.07 Kempton – Edwardstone
14.24 Warwick – Apple Away
14.42 Kempton – Impose Toi
15.00 Warwick  – Malina Girl

*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.

SATURDAY’S RACING TIPS

READ MORE

THE LATEST RACING ODDS ARE ON PADDYPOWER.COM NOW

    THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW