Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:50 Newbury – Tiny Tetley (Each-Way)
14:05 Warwick – L’eau du Sud
14:25 Newbury – Bravemansgame
14:40 Warwick – West Balboa
15:00 Newbury – Matata
15:15 Warwick – Fugitif
15:35 Newbury – Minella Missile (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.
13:50 Newbury – Tiny Tetley
ITV Racing is back Saturday with action from Newbury and Warwick starting with a handicap hurdle over 3m which should be competitive and open. TINY TETLEY is up in class, and it won’t be easy, but off a mark of just 115 I think he should have at least an eachway chance. The Philip Hobbs and Johnson White runner is very consistent at a low level, and having gone hard early, kept on well to score at Taunton two runs ago. Although beaten at Haydock last time he again ran on having hit a flat spot and the one thing he does is stay strong. Michael Nolan is on top.
14:05 Warwick – L’eau du Sud
The Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase over 2m. It’s hard to oppose L’EAU DU SUD who looks too good for Harry Skelton and Dan Skelton. On ratings, he only has a few pounds in hand of Rubaud, but has much more scope and is more progressive. Rubaud was well beaten when falling behind Sir Gino at Kempton last time and L’Eau du Sud was decent in the Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown.
14:25 Newbury – Bravemansgame
Up in class now for the Grade 2 Denman Chase over nearly 3m. This is a gilt-edged opportunity for BRAVEMANSGAME, but of course one can’t be confident with a horse who has been tame this season. The former top class gelding was a distant third at Haydock two runs ago and a poor eighth in the King George at Kempton. Having once been rated 172, he’s down to 157, which highlights his decline. That said, he could still be too good for this field, and has a first time tongue strap. Harry Cobden rides for Paul Nicholls.
14:40 Warwick – West Balboa
Here’s a Listed Mares’ Hurdle over 2m5f. I keep thinking WEST BALBOA will bounce back to her best – and there was a glimmer last time that she wasn’t hopeless – after a go over fences seemed to take a chunk out of her confidence. It’s another for Harry Skelton and Dan Skelton and the fitting of first time cheek pieces is interesting. The effort at Kempton last time came with a fourth behind Della Casa Lunga and she has to reverse that form with Royale Margaux, but I think it’s possible and the Skeltons do well here.
15:00 Newbury – Matata
Another Grade 2 in the Game Spirit over an extended 2m. With Sir Gino out, this is all change, so mind the gap! MATATA was so good at Windsor I’m happy to give him another go for JJ Slevin and Nigel Twiston-Davies. He didn’t bomb out in front that day, which seemed to suit, and while it depends what the others do here – Edwardstone can make the running and did so when scoring in this last year – if that happens again, he could be hard to stop.
15:15 Warwick – Fugitif
A veterans’ handicap chase over 2m4f. FUGITIF is not an easy horse to win on, but this is a big chance for the Richard Hobson-trained runner. Sean Bowen takes the ride on a horse who has only just turned 10 and who was a fine third behind Gemirande in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. This trip is ideal he just needs someone to go hard up front and set a test.
15:35 Newbury – Minella Missile (each way)
The big betting race of the day in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m. Secret Squirrel did this column a favour at Windsor last time and up 5lb he could easily go again. However, I want to take a chance here on MINELLA MISSILE, who is a huge price for Adam Wedge and Evan Williams.
My selection beat Captain Teague as a youngster at Cheltenham and a mark of 138 is very workable on that form. He returned at the same fixture as the Squirrel last time, but over 3m, and this is a dramatic drop back in trip. I don’t think he’s without speed and this might not be the strongest renewal of all time. It’s a big risk, but I’ll have a few quid eachway.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
13:50 Newbury – Tiny Tetley (Each-Way)
14:05 Warwick – L’eau du Sud
14:25 Newbury – Bravemansgame
14:40 Warwick – West Balboa
15:00 Newbury – Matata
15:15 Warwick – Fugitif
15:35 Newbury – Minella Missile (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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