Saturday Preview

Hi all,

As the sun sets on another incredible year of thrilling races, heart-pounding finishes, and unforgettable moments in the world of horse racing, I wanted to extend my warmest wishes to each of you.

Thank you for being a part of our horse racing community.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and many winning bets in 2024.

Inside today’s main piece I delve into the best of the action on ITV on Saturday afternoon.

It's been an unbelievable Christmas week of racing and punting wise it’s been a fantastic few days, my best Christmas for many years.

I can’t lie, it’s been a challenging year on the punting front but I’m going to end it with a profit once more and that’s all you can ask for.

Saturday Preview

This afternoon ITV Racing are covering five races from Newbury, two from Taunton and one from Haydock.

Newbury

The best of the action is at Newbury with the Grade 1 Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle Saturday’s feature race.

Paul Nicholls, who has won the last three renewals, fields Captain Teague and Farnoge. Captain Teague, the stable's top choice, won the Grade 2 Persian War Novice Hurdle at Chepstow on hurdle debut and has since finished runner-up at Cheltenham. Likley favourite Willmount impressed when winning on his hurdle debut, while Lookaway and Johnnywho also warrant serious consideration.

In the Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase (2:25), Certainly Red, Atlanta Brave, Bowtogreatness, and Shanty Alley stand out.

Certainly Red was back to form at Sandown last time and is down in class here, Atlanta Brave has only had two starts over fences and is open to further improvement for the step up to 3m 2f, Bowtogreatness went close in better race at Aintree in April and won’t be far away if ready to roll on seasonal return. Shanty Alley is on a losing run of 12 but is 5lb lower than when a ¾ length runner up in last year’s race.

The New ‘Bet-In-Race' With Coral Handicap Chase (1:15) features Martator and The Russian Doyen, with both showing promise on their latest start.

In the Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle (1:50), Steal A March and Rambo T are stromg contenders, with Now Or Never also worth watching on stable debut for Venetia Williams.

The Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (3:35) has a small but competitive field, including the likes of Passing Well, Walking On Air, Golden Son, Ballycamus, Henry’s Friend, and Lubeat Foras.

Saturday Selection:

Sadly, I’ve not provided many winners for the column of late and going to Doncaster rather staying at Leopardstown wasn’t a good move yesterday. Friday’s selection Fantastic Lady was a disappointment. Instead, I could have given you two winners at Leopardstown Grangeclare West (4/1) & Champagne Admiral (12/1).

Unfortunately, I can’t give you all my selections and the ones I have been given you over Christmas have all lost. Those of you subscribed to Victor Value and Consistent Profits haven’t missed out though and you’ve had a Christmas of good cheer.

Let's see if I can end 2023 with a winner for the column.

Saturday Selection:

Today’s selection runs at Newbury and it’s recent eyecatcher The Russian Doyen. The 10-year-old was returning from 621-day absence when an encouraging 14 length 4th of 6 to Elixir De Nutz over C&D 28 days ago. He’ll be sharper for that run and is potentially well treated if he can build on his latest effort. Harry Cobden, a three-time winner, is also back in the saddle, which can be considered another plus.

Newbury

1:15 – The Russian Doyen.

I'll be back on Monday.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John