Saturday ITV Preview

Hi all,

Inside Saturday’s Preview I’m looking at the live races on ITV4.

As the festive season envelops us in its warmth and joy, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you. Your support and shared passion for the sport have made this year another great journey.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with warmth, happiness, and the magic of the season.

Given the upcoming week offers an abundance of racing, Saturday's fields appear notably compact, as one might anticipate. Nevertheless, the competition promises to be fierce in several key races despite the smaller number of participants.

ITV4 are covering six races live on Saturday afternoon for from Ascot and a further two from Haydock.

Ascot: Saturday ITV Preview

1:50 – Howden Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 3f

Cap Du Mathan is a solid contender after his seasonal reappearance return here last month.Triple Trade has shown good form this season and is a major contender back up trip. Keep an eye on Harper’s Brook if he can overcome his tendency to pull himself when hitting the front.

2:25 – Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) – 3m ½ f

Paisley Park and Champ, winners in previous seasons, are set for an exciting clash. Given Champ’s record fresh you can expect this to have been the 11-year-old’s seasonal target. Crambo and West Balboa are improving staying hurdlers, and they will need career best efforts to beat more experienced rivals. Red Risk & Blueking D'Oroux, trained by Paul Nicholls, are interesting outsiders, in particular the latter who is 2-2 at Ascot.

3:00 – Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) – 3m

Blackjack Magic, Victtorino and Git Maker are all last time out winnerswho are going the right way over fences. Yeah Man looked set to Victtorino a race before falling at the last over C&D last time and is also in the mix. Dual C&D winner Larry isn’t always the reliable of jumpers but with a clear round can go close.

3:35 – Betfair Exchange Trophy (A Handicap Hurdle) (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) – 1m 7 ½ f (3:35)

Just the 11 have been declared for Saturday’s big betting race but it doesn’t make the race any easier to solve. Iberico Lord, Impose Toi, and Luccia are strong contenders from Nicky Henderson's stable. First two named won at Cheltenham last time and Luccia will appreciate the drying ground. Altobelli shaped with promise when 2nd of 12 over C&D on his seasonal return 49 days ago. Lightly raced over hurdles he looks handicapped to go close. Hansard is just 4lb higher than when winning the Gerry Fielden at Newbury three weeks ago and a bold show should be forthcoming from the top-weight. Falvoir, like trainer Dan Skelton’s last winner of the race, won the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and is just 3lb higher.  A solid second over C&D last time he could get into the money.

Haydock: Saturday ITV Preview

1:30 – Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 1 ½ f

Famous Bridge, Credo, and Eleanor Bob, finished first, second and fourth in a C&D handicap last month. They remain closely matched at the revised weights. Enqarde, the 2021 winner, is handicapped to compete but may face a challenge if the ground is heavy. Bill Baxter, back in suitable conditions, aims for improvement after a subpar run in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Burrows Diamond is in good form and the Sue Smith trained mare looks a bit of value at around 14/1.

2:05 – Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 1m 7 ½ f

Jagwar, missed a race at Ascot on Friday and offers potential on handicap debut, especially on testing ground. Bois Guillbert, a Kelso winner, returns to handicap company on a fair mark if handling heavy ground. Goobinator, relished heavy ground when returning from an 18-month absence to win on the flat at Catterick last time.He’s competitively weighted on the best of his hurdles form. The Churchill Lad, a front runner, was back to form when runner-up at Musselburgh last time. He could excel over C&D if settling well out in front and hard to pass. Bubble Dubi, was back to form returned to hurdles last time and is on a good mark. Fine on soft ground but heavy asks another question of the 6-year-old.

Saturday ITV Preview Selection:

Ascot

12:45 – Idefix De Ciergues displayed promise in four bumper outings last season and has performed credibly in two hurdle starts this autumn. The 5-year-old has indicated that a move to around 3m could unlock additional progress, making his handicap hurdle debut an opportunity for further improvement.

I will be back with you on Boxing Day.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John