Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:50 Kempton – Boombawn
14:10 Newcastle – Anglers Crag (each-way)
14:25 Kempton – Mondo Man
14:40 Southwell – Diligent Harry
15:00 Kempton – Celtic Dino
15:15 Southwell – Royal Champion
15:35 Kempton – Hyland
*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 Kempton – Boombawn
ITV Racing Saturday comes from Kempton, Newcastle and Southwell, starting with the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase over an extended 2m4f. Rubaud ran well at Warwick last time but I’m not sure about this step up in trip. Class wise he is probably the most talented in the field. I suspect there will be a strong gallop on with both Imperial Saint and Ashdale Bob possible front-runners and I’ll take BOOMBAWN to cause an upset at a price. He was well stuffed by the top class The Jukebox Man at Newbury last time but prior to that had scored well from off the pace at Wincanton and I have a feeling he’s a bit more skilled than his current rating suggests. Goes for jockey Harry and his brother trainer Dan Skelton.
14:10 Newcastle – Anglers Crag (each-way)
ITV show one from Newcastle which is the famous marathon Eider Handicap chase over an extended 4m1f. Last year’s hero ANGLERS CRAG showed a bit more last time and might be ready to repeat his success. Trained by Brian Ellison and ridden by Craig Nichol, Anglers Crag started this season off a mark of 134, 8lb higher than his Eider success in 2024 but after some flops is now back down to 130. He ran all right at Musselburgh the other day and it’s not hard to believe this has been the target. A few quid each-way.
14:25 Kempton – Mondo Man
Here’s another Grade 2 in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle over 2m. A big chance for MONDO MAN to show us what he can do. The former class Flat performer – once fifth behind Look de Vega in a French Derby – made his jumps debut at Ascot when a fair second to the exciting Lulamba. He pulled hard that day but mainly jumped well. Connections have put all sorts of different gear on him to try and allow him to settle and the son of Mondialiste is held in the highest regard. Gary & Josh Moore train and Caoilin Quinn rides.
14:40 Southwell – Diligent Harry
Flat racing at Southwell and here is the Listed Hever Sprint over 5f. Tough to call this. DILIGENT HARRY usually runs well here and might be the one for Clive Cox and William Buick. It’s staggering he’s not going for big money abroad. The seven-year-old had a spin 20 days ago when fourth behind Marshman at Lingfield and while he has to improve on that, I’d imagine it will have blown the cobwebs away.
15:00 Kempton – Celtic Dino
On a day of Grade 2 events now we have the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle over 2m. CELTIC DINO might bounce back to form here for Sam Thomas and Dylan Johnston. After wins at Wincanton (twice) and Ascot, he went tweto Aintree but was a tame fourth to Potters Charm in the Grade 1 Formby. I would hazard a guess Celtic Dino is much better than that effort suggests and this is very winnable. Coming back a furlong will be in his favour too.
15:15 Southwell – Royal Champion
A Group 3 in the Winter Derby over 1m3f. I’d expect Military Academy to need this so the selection has to be ROYAL CHAMPION for Clifford Lee and Karl Burke. Officially the best horse in the race on a mark of 113, my pick has to give 1lb to the John & Thady Gosden runner but he was in good form when last seen in December landing the Quebec Stakes at Lingfield from Tyrrhenian Sea. This is the furthest Royal Champion has ever run but I can’t see stamina being an issue. It’s his first visit here but he could be hard to stop.
15:35 Kempton – Hyland
The big betting race of the day in a handicap chase over 3m. A really competitive handicap mixing novices and established handicappers. Very boring, but I think HYLAND will take all the beating for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. It’s not going to be an easy task under 11st 13lb, but the eight-year-old has been much improved over fences and ran a cracker over course and distance in Grade 1 company when last seen.
That was behind The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star, where he overcame a slight mistake at the first fence to then jump soundly and keep the winner up to his work all the way to the line. He’s fresh and raring to go, stays well and jumps mostly for fun. This is a huge chance. Henderson also knows where he stands with big rival Lowry’s Bar having beaten that horse last time.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:50 Kempton – Boombawn
14:10 Newcastle – Anglers Crag
14:25 Kempton – Mondo Man
14:40 Southwell – Diligent Harry
15:00 Kempton – Celtic Dino
15:15 Southwell – Royal Champion
15:35 Kempton – Hyland
*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.
READ MORE
- Antepost Betting: What is antepost betting on horse racing
- Cheltenham Arkle Chase tips: Rory Delargy’s 16/1 each-way shout non runner money back
- Cheltenham Gold Cup tips: Ruby Walsh – It’s hard to see how Fact To File can beat Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup
- Cheltenham Festival: Ruby Walsh – Kopek Des Bordes and Salvator Mundi won’t work together as we don’t want to leave a race on the gallops
- Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle tips: Rory Delargy’s 20/1 non runner money back each-way play
- When is the Cheltenham Festival 2025? Dates for this year’s mega meeting
- Get yer tickets now for Paddy’s Cheltenham Festival Fanzone in Dublin
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
