Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:15 Cheltenham – East India Dock
13:50 Cheltenham – Il Ridoto (each-way)
14:05 Doncaster – Western Knight
14:25 Cheltenham – Chantry House
14:40 Doncaster – Wyenot
15:00 Cheltenham – Constitution Hill
15:15 Doncaster – Frero Banbou (each-way)
15:35 Cheltenham – Crambo
*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.
13:15 Cheltenham – East India Dock
A Grade 2 juvenile hurdle for Triumph Hurdle possibles over 2m1f. No doubt Sauvignon cost a fortune from France, but hard to oppose useful Flat performer EAST INDIA DOCK who has looked a natural over hurdles both at Wincanton and here in two wins this term. Stays strongly and hard to beat fore Sam Twiston-Davies and trainer James Owen of Burdett Road fame.
13:50 Cheltenham – Il Ridoto (each-way)
A handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. IL RIDOTO was a brilliant winner here two runs ago when landing the fabulous Paddy Power Gold Cup off 141. He went up to 149 for that and flopped last time under an inexperienced rider, but is down to 147 now with the Paddy Power Gold Cup winning rider, Freddie Gingell, back on board and taking off 3lb, as he did for the big win. I’d hope on ground that should suit that he’s back with an each-way chance for Paul Nicholls.
14:05 Doncaster – Western Knight
A Grade 2 novices’ hurdle over an extended 3m. A really competitive renewal. WESTERN KNIGHT had Yellow Car well seen off at Cheltenham last time and should do so again. My selection is more of a chaser than hurdler, but stepped up to this trip at Cheltenham last time kept on well suggesting he’s a real stayer in the making. His head carriage is higher than ideal, but that might be just inexperience at this stage. Joe Tizzard and trains for Brendan Powell.
14:25 Cheltenham – Chantry House
Up in class now for the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over an extended 3m1f. After a third in the King George L’Homme Press is clearly the one to beat. However, he’s a short price here and I’ll chance CHANTRY HOUSE who is only one year older at the age of 11. Both are getting on, but Chantry House was back with a bang in a handicap here last time and there are all sort of reasons why many of these might not run to form. Chantry House was once a Gold Cup contender – pulled up in the 2022 renewal landed by A Plus Tard – and has back class with a third to Shishkin in the Supreme! He’s been good and his last time, which was unexpected by connections, suggested he’s in fair shape right now. Nico de Boinville rides again for Nicky Henderson.
14:40 Doncaster – Wyenot
Another Grade 2 here in a mares’ hurdle over an extended 3m. Small doubts here over both Jetara and Kateira at this trip and while both are much the best at this trip I’ll chance WYENOT who was really good at this track over this distance last time. She jumped brilliantly from the front that day and if she does the same here she might be hard to catch under David Bass. Can Bass do what Alice Stevens did last time?!!!
15:00 Cheltenham – Constitution Hill
A Grade 2 hurdle over 2m1f. Not often that I have nothing to write about an event. But CONSTITUTION HILL is miles better than any of these and should bolt up for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. The Champion Hurdle favourite was back with a bang in the Christmas Hurdle and anything but an easy success would be a disaster. Brentford Hope should follow him home – his second in a big field handicap at Punchestown in April was a fine effort. He surely will be ridden for a place.
15:15 Doncaster – Frero Banbou (each-way)
A handicap chase over 3m. FRERO BANBOU is not the strongest stayer of all time, but his slick jumping and early pace means he should hold a good position for much of this race. Ned Fox takes off 3lb for Venetia Williams – stable could be in slightly better form – and the old boy comes into this on the back of a victory in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and a fair second at Kempton. His handicap mark is as high as you would want it right now but an each-way chance.
15:35 Cheltenham – Crambo
The Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over 3m. A decent renewal this. I’m a fan of Kerryhill and he travelled well for a long way last time but obviously this is tough. Strong Leader has had a wind operation. The big question really is can CRAMBO reproduce Ascot form here at Cheltenham. He’s meant to have run here twice, but was a non-runner once and hopeless on the other occasion. That all said he’s had a different preparation this term, and his victory in the Long Walk was a super tough one. I’ll stick with him for Fergal O’Brien and Jonny Burke.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
13:15 Cheltenham – East India Dock
13:50 Cheltenham – Il Ridoto (each-way)
14:05 Doncaster – Western Knight
14:25 Cheltenham – Chantry House
14:40 Doncaster – Wyenot
15:00 Cheltenham – Constitution Hill
15:15 Doncaster – Frero Banbou (each-way)
15:35 Cheltenham – Crambo
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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