Another big weekend of horse racing action with Sandown and Aintree (abandoned) the featured cards on Saturday. With that, SportsCasting’s Andy Newton is on hand with his ITV Racing tips, pointers and 1-2-3 picks for each of the LIVE races – which are being shown this week on ITV4.
ITV Racing Tips For Sandown Park: Jonbon To Remain Unbeaten at Esher Track
Five LIVE ITV Racing contest from Sandown on Saturday, with the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase the feature.
Can last year’s winner Jonbon become the first back-to-back winner since Kauto Star in 2005 and 2006?
The best horse racing betting sites in the UK seem to think so – he’s odds-on in the market to win for the fifth time at Sandown and remain unbeaten at the Esher venue.
1:15 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m7½f ITV4
A tricky opener, with many chances. However, I’m putting a line through the 11 year-old West To The Bridge and Dubrovnik – both haven’t won in nine and eight races, so have a bit to prove for me.
It’s been a good race for claiming jockeys – winning 60% of the last 10, and so Ike Sport, Authorised Art and last year’s winner Operation Manna tick this stat.
Of that trio the last-named – OPERATION MANNA looks the most interesting with Cameron Iles riding again (on last year) to take off 7lbs and is only rated 5lbs higher. Oh, and the Tom Lacy camp have a top 50% strike-rate with their hurdlers at the track.
The other one I like is the Paul Nicholls runner HENRI THE SECOND.
He showed promise back in 2021 and was a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle winner here at Sandown two years ago. He’s clearly had some issues since but returned last month to catch the eye when running on to take fourth over 2m4f. The longer trip will help and that was also his first run for a year.
- HENRI THE SECOND
- OPERATION MANNA
- IKE SPORT
1:50 – Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m7½f ITV4
Full marks to the Gordon Elliott yard for bring over the promising Down Memory Lane and Touch Me Not. The former was a nice winner at Navan last month and certainly looks a nice chaser in the making.
Decent hurdler Ruband is also interesting over fences for the first time and has reportedly schooled well. The worry for me would be the softer ground and this is a step into the deep end on his chasing debut.
So that leaves us with L’EAU DU SUD, who can back up his recent impressive win at Cheltenham.
He jumped and travelled well that day – saying on really well up the hill. He was a fair hurdler, but is shaping up to be a much better chaser, with quotes of around 10/1 for the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
- L’EAU DU SUD
- DOWN MEMORY LANE
- TOUCH ME NOT
2:25 – Betfair Plays Different Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (3yo+ 0-150) 2m ITV4
Another tough race to unravel and all eyes will be on the Nicky Henderson runner Willmount, who is bidding to bounce back after flopping in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last December.
He reportedly lost a shoe that day, but also took a keen hold and didn’t last out the 2m4f trip. He’d shown a lot of promise before that run and the Hendo yard have made it no secret they think he could be useful.
I did like the Nicholls runner Kabral Du Mathan, but he’s a non-runner now – one to note next time. While we’ve also got last year’s winner Spirit d’ Aunou in the race, but is up 4lbs this time and fell last time at Ascot.
So a chance is taken on the KNICKERBOCKERGLORY, who is a horse that seems to go well fresh – winning first time out for the last two seasons. He’s also run well here at Sandown in the past and certainly won’t mind the softer ground.
- KNICKERBOCKERGLORY
- WILLMOUNT
- SPIRIT D’ AUNOU
3:00 – Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m7½f ITV4
Onto the big one and really barring accidents this should be going to JONBON for the second year.
He’s a horse that probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves – winning a massive 10 of his 12 chase starts – mainly because his wins are not flashy or very eye-catching and more workmanlike.
He takes on old rivals Boothill (non-runner) and the 2022 winner of this race Edwardstone again but has raced never lost to this due in the seven times he’s taken each of them on. Edwarstone, at 10, will be looking to become the oldest winner since Moscow Flyer in 2004.
Jonbon is also 4-from-4 here at Sandown, so we know the track suits and his recent win in the Shloer Chase will have brought him on.
He’s also favourite with the best betting sites in the UK for the Champion Chase in March – but even though I think he’ll take this, he might be vulnerable there – we’ll see.
Of the rest, I think JPR One can run better than his odds suggest. Mainly due to being only 7 still and open to more improvement than most of the others.
While full marks to the Henry De Bromhead yard for bringing over the former Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios, who is certainly no back number after lowering the colours of Marine Nationale at Naas last time out.
The yard won this race in 2011 with Sizing Europe.
- JONBON
- JPR ONE
- EDWARDSTONE
3:35 – Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+ 0-150) 3m4½f ITV4
Run over 3 4 1/2f, in what is likely to be very testing ground, so it’s gunna be stamina all the way here.
You can make cases for a lot, but with only one winning favourite in the last 18 runnings, those at the head of the market – Mr Vango and Montgomery might have this stat to overcome.
Tommie Beau could be interesting after running out in the Cross Country Chase last time out when still in with a chance. James Best takes over in the saddle and he’s 2-from-2 on this improving stayer.
Claiming jockeys have won five of the last seven and the only horse with one here is Unanswered Prayers, who won the Southern National well at Fontwell last time. Up just 4lbs and this Chris Gordon runner can go well for son Freddie.
But last year in the race BROKEN HALO was still going okay when falling late on and is back on the same mark. Paul Nicholls has a fine record in the race (3 from 7) and the horse, who is also a proven course winner, has also had a wind op over the summer.
- BROKEN HALO
- UNANSWERED PRAYERS
- TOMMIE BEAU
WATCH: Sportcasting’s Andy Newton on this week’s Final Furlong Podcast with Emmet Kennedy & Peter Michael
Listen 🎧 or watch 📺 the Final Furlong podcast team running the rule over the best of the weekend horse racing action from Sandown and Aintree.
ITV Racing Tips For Aintree: Gaboriot Can Carry Featherweight To Becher Chase Glory **(abandoned)**
The bad news today is that the Aintree card that was due to feature the Becher Chase has been abandoned due to Storm Darragh – there is no news yet if the meeting will be rescheduled.
1:32 – BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 2m4f ITV4
Richmond Lake won this race last year, but it was desperate stuff, and he only just clambered over the last fence. He’s on the same mark and didn’t win a race since taking this (5 runs) but fared better when 4th in the Grand Sefton Chase last month here.
Dr T J Eckleburg won well at Haydock last time and isn’t totally ruled out – but is up 7lbs and the form of the Evan Williams yard at the moment is a slight worry.
The one I like is SPRINGWELL BAY, who ran well at Cheltenham over 3m last time, but you feel this ease back to 2m4f (on soft ground) will be more up his street. Yes, he’s got a big weight 12st, but 8 of the last 10 winners carried 11-1 in this race and with only 9 chase runs (4 wins) could have more to come.
I also think No Risk Des Flos can go well – after catching the eye when second to the classy L’Eau du Sud at Stratford last time and with that a first run after a wind operation can be expected to have improved for it.
- SPRINGWELL BAY
- NO RISK DES FLO
- RICHMOND LAKE
2:07 – BoyleSports Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (6yo+) 3m2f ITV4
Over the National fences here and with the Becher Chase trends telling us that 14 of the last 22 winners had experienced the fences in the past – this is often a good place to start.
Another big stat is that 20 of the last 22 winners were aged 8+, which actually rules out three fancied ones in King Turgeon, Chianti Classico and Cruz Control.
GABORIOT could be the answer then as this 8 year-old, despite running from 3lbs out of the handicap has only 10-2 to carry, which will be a massive bonus in conditions. He was staying on to take third in the Sefton last time over these fences and so the extra five furlongs should be right up his street.
It’s also hard to rule out last year’s winner Chambard, who comes from the in-form Venetia William yard. He’s up 5lbs this time but this former Kim Muir winner would have had this as his comeback target. At 12 he’s also no spring chicken, but we’ve had 11, 13 and even 14 year-old winners of this in recent years.
Percussion is out of the handicap (6lbs), but if the race falls apart (which looks likely in the ground), he could run on for a place at a track he goes well at.
- GABORIOT
- CHAMBARD
- PERCUSSION
3:17 – BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV4
Tough race to end the live Aintree action with – you can make a claim for most of the field.
Tamar Bridge won this three years ago and despite having issues since returned with a solid second at Uttoxeter in October – he’s back 3lbs lower this time and looks one for the shortlist.
As does his stablemate Pyramid Place, who caught the eye winning at Kempton last time – but jockey Sean Bowen, who was on that day, has picked Tamar Bridge.
Bingoo can go well too after still in with a shout when unseating at Carlisle the last day.
But the main call is SANTOS BLUE, who improved last season – winning two of his last three starts.
He’s back from a break but gone well fresh in the past and also ran last season’s Long Walk Hurdle winner Crambo close here at Aintree last October – oh, and the jockey also dropped his whip that day.
- SANTOS BLUE
- TAMAR BRIDGE
- BINGOO
