Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:50 Uttoxeter – Monviel (each-way)
14:10 Kempton – First Street
14:25 Uttoxeter- Samuel Spade
14:45 Kempton – West Balboa
15:00 Uttoxeter – Val Dancer (each-way)
15:20 Kempton – Flegmatik
15:35 Uttoxeter – Eyed
*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 Uttoxeter – Monviel (each-way)
The Cheltenham Festival might be over, but ITV Racing is back Saturday with action from Uttoxeter and Kempton, starting here with a handicap hurdle over 2m4f. You have to wonder what has happened to MONVIEL, as he has been absolutely hopeless of late for Harry Derham.
That said, the trainer knows the time of date, and the handicap mark has slipped to 119. In May of last year, he ran a good second here off 129, so if he is to bounce back, this could be it. An each-way chance for Alice Stevens who takes off 3lb.
14:10 Kempton – First Street
Jumping also at Kempton and here’s a limited novices’ handicap chase over 2m2f. FIRST STREET has the chance to outclass this field for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson.
This is a horse who finished second in the 2023 County Hurdle at Cheltenham, won by State Man, and was also third behind Constitution Hill in a Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He’s chucked in on his best hurdling form off 128 but has yet to win over the bigger obstacles in four starts. This is a big chance.
14:25 Uttoxeter – Samuel Spade
Here’s another handicap hurdle, this time over nearly 3m. SAMUEL SPADE bounced back to the form Ben Pauling has always believed he can show when scoring in style at Ascot last time.
That was off a handicap mark of 125 and he’s been thumped up to 133 now. However, 5lb of the 8lb rise is negated by the claim of jockey Callum Pritchard, so it’s not impossible he can go well again. Has every chance.
14:45 Kempton – West Balboa
A handicap hurdle over 2m5f. There are loads of winners here.
I’m sticking with Dan Skelton’s mare, WEST BALBOA, who has yet to score this term after her chasing career went to pot but who has shown enough to suggest she has a chance off 136, having been rated 143 in her time. She stays and jumps, and is a big mare who can carry weight. Heidi Palin takes off 7lb, which helps.
15:00 Uttoxeter – Val Dancer (each-way)
The big betting race of the day is the Midlands Grand National over 4m2f. The ground won’t quite make this the slog it usually is. Stamina, though, is still crucial.
VAL DANCER was 12lb higher (6lb out the handicap) when running third at Haydock last time and so on paper runs from a mark 6lb lower here. The Welsh National hero obviously stays well and goes on any ground, so with 11st 3lb on his back, I give him a serious each-way chance under Charlie Hammond. Can keep plugging away.
15:20 Kempton – Flegmatik
A handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. FLEGMATIK is well handicapped and loves this track, so he has a strong chance for Dan Skelton and Tristan Durrell, who takes off 3lb. My hope hasn’t won this season, but his talent is still there, and he was a good third here two runs ago off 131. He’s 130 here with every chance.
15:35 Uttoxeter – Eyed
A handicap chase over 3m. Lots of in-form horses here. EYED is taking his form to a new level in staying events over fences and might still have another win in him for Hughie Morrison and Jonny Burke.
The recent winner at Market Rasen and Kempton jumps for fun and has been keeping on well. He’s up to 118 from 113 for his last victory but is clearly bang in form.
So best of luck, and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:50 Uttoxeter – Monviel (each-way)
14:10 Kempton – First Street
14:25 Uttoxeter- Samuel Spade
14:45 Kempton – West Balboa
15:00 Uttoxeter – Val Dancer (each-way)
15:20 Kempton – Flegmatik
15:35 Uttoxeter – Eyed
*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
- Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tips at Paddy Power News
- When is the 1000 Guineas 2025? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
- When is the 2000 Guineas 2025? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
