Top judge @MCYeeehaaa gives Hung Jury (15:35) the verdict at Sandown.
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips
13.20 Sandown – Absolutely Doyen
13.50 Sandown – Lulamba
14.05 Aintree – Edelak
14.25 Sandown – Dance And Glance
14.40 Aintree – Gaboriot
15.00 Sandown – Jonbon
15.15 Aintree – Act Of Authority
15.35 Sandown – Hung Jury
*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
ITV Racing is back on Saturday with action from Sandown and Aintree, starting here with a handicap hurdle over nearly 3m. ABSOLUTELY DOYEN has taken a big hike up the handicap for his last win of three on the bounce but he might still have more to offer for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The selection used to be trained by Fergal O’Brien but has improved for a step up in trip for his new handler and hacked up at Ascot last time over this distance. That was off a mark of 115 and he’s up to 123 but he won so well that day it’s easy to expect more. He travels like a decent horse.
13.50 Sandown – Lulamba
Up in class now for the Grade 1 Henry VII Novices’ Chase over nearly 2m. Be Aware and Alnilam could both go forward and I expect LULAMBA to sit and pounce for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson. The Triumph Hurdle runner-up and Grade 1 winner at Punchestown won well on his chasing debut at Exeter and while not everyone was impressed, I was! I thought it was a decent heat. He looks a star in the making.
14.05 Aintree – Edelak
A Juvenile Hurdle with Listed status over 2m1f. This is a big ask for EDELAK on hurdling debut but he was a pretty decent Flat horse for Johnny Murtagh and provided he jumps well, he might well be able to score under Newbury hero Tristan Durrell. His win on the level at Galway was a fine performance and he chased home a 90+ horse in a maiden at Fairyhouse. He stayed really well on the Flat and looks a useful recruit.
A handicap hurdle over 2m. A mixed bag here. DANCE AND GLANCE is edging up the handicap for defeats, and went up 2lb for finishing fourth last time which seems harsh. However, he’s running well – that fourth was behind Alexei at Ascot – and he was also a fine fifth in a big field at Haydock. Basically he’s one in the line-up that is fit and well and will give us a run for our money.
14.40 Aintree – Gaboriot
The Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences. They go 3m2f. Another big chance for GABORIOT over the big jumps with Robbie Dunne riding for the Greenall/Guerriero combination. My hope was a fine second to Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton but has no problem with this longer trip and despite a rise of 2lb for the comeback win, he should be bang in the mix.
15.00 Sandown – Jonbon
The big one of the day in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase over nearly 2m. First time cheekpieces are put on JONBON and I’m keeping the faith in the defending champion who is going for a hat-trick in the event. Jonbon wasn’t at his best at Cheltenham last time behind L’Eau du Sud but will surely improve for that run and he still has never been out of the first two in his life. He’s about to become a 10-year-old so of course it’s possible age is catching up, but I hope he can do it again for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson.
A handicap hurdle over 2m4f. ACT OF AUTHORITY is one of a trio off Olly Murphy horses in here and he’s interesting with Lewis Saunders taking off 5lb. That brings the horse to a mark 1lb lower than when second in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. That race was over a little bit further and he went an extended 3m on his comeback at Newbury which wasn’t a bad effort at all. That stamina is useful here and he can get bang in the mix.
A staying handicap chase over nearly 3m5f. I love this race each year. A real slog. HUNG JURY is up 6lb for a win at Cheltenham last time but the hunter chaser is in great form and stays forever. He won over an extended 4m at Cheltenham in May and seems to love a slog. His win at Cheltenham in November was on heavy, so rain should not be an issue even though most of his other form is on a better surface.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips
13.20 Sandown – Absolutely Doyen
13.50 Sandown – Lulamba
14.05 Aintree – Edelak
14.25 Sandown – Dance And Glance
14.40 Aintree – Gaboriot
15.00 Sandown – Jonbon
15.15 Aintree – Act Of Authority
15.35 Sandown – Hung Jury
*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
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