Ruby Walsh's top picks on Saturday ITV Racing

There’s a double header on ITV Racing on Saturday where the Scottish Grand National is the feature race of the day at Ayr for jumps fans while the Flat code takes centre stage at Newbury. Former top jockey and now star pundit Ruby Walsh has studied the form for his best bets on Saturday’s action.

Ruby Walsh’s Saturday ITV Racing tips

13:10 Ayr – Western Diego (NAP)
13:25 Newbury – Ancient Wisdom
13:43 Ayr – Ideal Des Bordes
14:00 Newbury – Simmering
14:15 Ayr – Ethical Diamond
14:35 Newbury – Jonquil
14:55 Ayr – Armed And Fabulous (each-way)
15:12 Newbury – Ebts Guard (each-way)
15:35 Ayr – Captain Cody

*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.

Western Diego has a great chance of a mark of 134. It’s fair for him after a good run behind Springt De La Mare at Punchestown in February. His mark is workable and he’s fresh. He could take a bit of beating.

Ultimately Sunway could be the best horse but he took a run to get going last year. For that reason, I’ll side with Ancient Wisdom for William Buick and Charlie Appleby. He can catch Sunway off guard.

I’m not sure Loughglynn’s mark of 143 is workable. I’m with Nicky Henderson’s Ideal Des Bordes instead. He pulled up at Kempton in February but he had a few decent runs before that.

I love Simmering who was unlucky to run into Fairy Godmother at Ascot last year. He followed that up with a couple of wins before finishing second to Lake Victoria. His Longchamp run in October was on soft ground so I’m happy to put a line through that.

Ethical Diamond has a big chance as he will love the ground and the track. I can see why Harry Cobden loves Kabral Du Mathan’s chances too. I would have given Bunting another chance if the ground wasn’t so fast and while Ethical Diamond has to carry a lot of weight, I’ll stick with him. Nicky Henderson’s Under Control could run well at a much bigger price.

14:35 Newbury – Jonquil

I really like Jonquil. He did really well on his debut at Sandown and that form has held up. I can’t explain his poor run at Doncaster in September. He was well beaten but he’s with a new yard and I can see him winning for Andrew Balding.

Armed And Fabulous has a squeak. She got the job done at Newcastle in February in her first run since November 2023 and she’s an each-way shout.

This is tricky to call but being gelded could bring out enough improvement for Ebts Guard to win. He ran well in the Cambridgeshire last year before winning at Ascot. He should be a bit more forward on his seasonal debut so he’s my each-way shout.

Macdermott won the Scottish Grand National last year but he hasn’t done much since! Danny Mullins rides him again but I like Captain Cody of Willie Mullins’ runners. Harry Cobden rides and he could help Willie have a big day!

Ruby Walsh’s Saturday ITV Racing tips

*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.

The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ruby Walsh’s top picks on Saturday ITV Racing

Tags: