Excitement is building for next week’s Cheltenham Festival but there’s plenty to look forward to before that happens, with seven races live on ITV from three tracks across Britain on Saturday.
Sandown’s Imperial Cup is the main offering but we also have one race from Hereford, as well as a Listed event and a Lincoln trial on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.
Our racing expert has had a close look at all of Saturday’s ITV action and picked out his strongest fancies in each of the seven races.
1.50 Sandown – European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (2m4f)
A maximum field of 18 has been declared for this competitive-looking affair and you can almost guarantee a strong pace with that in mind. Paul Nicholls’ BELLIANO will stay all day and the stronger a test of stamina it becomes, the more the six-year-old will thrive. He has won his last two starts in novice hurdles and you would imagine connections will be happy with an opening mark of 125.
Selection: Belliano @ 5/1 with Betfred
2.05 Hereford – Handicap Chase (2m)
Whilst the improving Western General is respected for obvious reasons, Dan Skelton’s WILLIETHEBUILDER could well be the play here. He was a game winner off a 3lb lower mark over hurdles at Wetherby earlier this season and there could be more to come now trying fences. He struggled in a hot handicap at Newbury last time but the drop in grade will help, as will a 2lb lower mark on this first foray over fences.
Selection: Williethebuilder @ 9/2 with Betfred
2.25 Sandown – Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m)
KNICKERBOCKERGLORY got the better of Nemean Lion in a decent race over course and distance on seasonal debut and that rival went on to win the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle. Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old ran a cracker to finish third off this mark in a valuable handicap at Windsor last time out and a similar effort will surely lead to another big run.
Selection: Knickerbockerglory @ 11/1 with Betfred
2.45 Wolverhampton – Lincoln Trial Handicap (1m½f)
Many of the runners here are pretty exposed but the same can’t be said for Keiran Burke’s ZOFFANDIA, who only made his handicap debut at Kempton last time out. He did the job in good style in the end, despite being slowly away and was well on top at the finish. The handicapper has responded with a 5lb rise, which is hard to argue with, and there should be plenty more to come.
Selection: Zoffandia @ 14/1 with Betfred
3.00 Sandown – British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed, 2m)
DREAM SHADOW cost £100,000 after winning an Irish point impressively back in April 2023 and she got off the mark under Rules at the second time of asking, winning a bumper at Uttoxeter in good style. Her stablemate was back in second that day and she has boosted the form by winning subsequently. Third in a Listed event at Market Rasen after, the selection capable of improving on that.
Selection: Dream Shadow @ 7/2 with Betfred
3.20 Wolverhampton – Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed, 7f)
JABAARA produced some excellent form last term and all of her 2024 form makes her the one to beat here. Roger Varian’s filly lost the race in the stewards room when demoted to second in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and a 5lb fillies allowance could prove to be particularly valuable here.
Selection: Jabaara @ 15/8 with Betfred
3.35 Sandown – Handicap Chase (3m)
Anthony Honeyball’s DREAMING BLUE has been pretty consistent so far this term and he managed to finish second in a better race over course and distance last time out. He’s been pushed up 2lb since but this looks like an excellent opportunity to go one better.
Selection: Dreaming Blue at 5/2 with Betfred
