Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:25 Sandown – Sole Solution
13:42 Musselburgh – Maitre En Science
14:00 Sandown- Classic Maestro
14:17 Musselburgh – Afadil
14:35 Sandown – Jango Baie
14:50 Musselburgh – Marble Sands (each-way)
15:07 Sandown – Deep Cave (each-way)
15:30 Leopardstown – Galopin Des Champs
15:42 Sandown – Dreaming Blue (each-way)
*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.
13:25 Sandown – Sole Solution
Weather permitting, ITV Racing is back on Saturday with action from Sandown, Leopardstown, and Musselburgh. The event will start with a handicap hurdle over 2m4f.
If you go back to his bumper form, SOLE SOLUTION should be much better than a horse with a rating of 114 and I suspect he can build on his easy win at Hereford last time.
He’s likely to go from the front for Venetia Williams and has no issue with deep ground. Charlie Deutsch is on top.
13:42 Musselburgh – Maitre En Science
The Scottish Triumph Hurdle is a Listed event for youngsters over nearly 2m.
It’s hard to get away from MAITRE EN SCIENCE, who is on a hat-trick but makes his debut for Harry Derham as a French import.
The Dieppe and Clairefontaine winner’s rating of 133 for his British debut should allow him to tuck this field away under Paul O’Brien.
14:00 Sandown- Classic Maestro
Here’s a handicap chase over nearly 2m.
CLASSIC MAESTRO was on a winning run of three before he finished third at Haydock last time over half a mile further.
The effort suggested he might still be able to score off 130 back down in his trip and his jumping held up well against more experienced rivals.
He goes well in soft ground and while he’s been in a small field, so his form figures are a little flattering, he definitely has a chance for Jennie Candlish and Luke Scott, who takes off a useful 5lb.
14:17 Musselburgh – Afadil
The Scottish County Handicap Hurdle over nearly 2m.
AFADIL is a pain but is chucked in here for Paul Nicholls off 120, having landed this prize last year off 124.
He’s been up to 130 since then and did nothing at Southwell last time, but surely, if he’s ever going to get back to winning ways, this is the race to do it in.
Freddie Gingell also takes off 3lb and the ground is perfect for him.
14:35 Sandown – Jango Baie
The Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over 2m4f.
A small but select field. JANGO BAIE is without doubt the most likely winner, but Handstands won’t be easy to pass and Kalif du Berlais is exciting on the hat-trick stepping up in trip.
My hope did well to deny Springwell Bay and Caldwell Potter at Cheltenham last time and he stays this trip strongly, having put up a fine effort over hurdles at Aintree last April.
He’s a solid, talented performer for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
14:50 Musselburgh – Marble Sands (each-way)
The Scottish Champion Chase is a handicap over an extended 2m4f!
MARBLE SANDS should have an each-way chance here for Nick Slatter, who takes off 3lb for the Killahena/McPherson combination.
My selection was a fine third in Newcastle off 3lb higher than this and wasn’t disgraced at Cheltenham last time when second to Springwell Bay.
One we can back each-way.
15:07 Sandown – Deep Cave (each-way)
A handicap hurdle over nearly 3m.
French import DEEP CAVE loves juice in the ground and stays well, so the door might open for the Christian Williams runner.
I love this stable, but my selection probably has to pull out a bit more off a mark of 130, having been beaten off that rating at Cheltenham two runs ago and then off 129 last time.
That all said, his stamina will be a big asset here, and Jack Tudor on top is a bonus – an each-way chance.
15:30 Leopardstown – Galopin Des Champs
The Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup over an extended 3m.
It is impossible to oppose dual Gold Cup hero GALOPOIN DES CHAMPS, who thrashed Fact To File in the Savills Chase when last seen in December.
Fact To File may be ridden differently here, but on paper, he’s just not as good as Paul Townend’s mount, who is just always hard to pass. Willie Mullins trains.
15:42 Sandown – Dreaming Blue (each-way)
Here’s a 3m handicap chase.
I don’t think DREAMING BLUE is a well-handicapped horse for one minute, but he’s in form, stays and goes on soft ground, so I suspect he has at least an each-way chance for Anthony Honeyball and Rex Dingle.
He ran an OK race when fourth at Kempton last time and is down 2lb here – a few quid each-way.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
13:25 Sandown – Sole Solution
13:42 Musselburgh – Maitre En Science
14:00 Sandown- Classic Maestro
14:17 Musselburgh – Afadil
14:35 Sandown – Jango Baie
14:50 Musselburgh – Marble Sands (each-way)
15:07 Sandown – Deep Cave (each-way)
15:30 Leopardstown – Galopin Des Champs
15:42 Sandown – Dreaming Blue (each-way)
*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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