The ITV Racing team are at three venues on Saturday afternoon, with Kempton Park the main focus for four races, alongside two from Southwell and the Eider Chase at Newcastle in a busy programme.
ITV Racing is on air from 1.30-4.00 on ITV and Jacob Potter has selections for all the action.
1.50 Kempton – Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½f)
This is a contest Paul Nicholls likes to target. The Ditcheat handler has saddled 13 Pendil winners and he could have the answer again in RUBAUD. He is a three-time winner over 2m at Kempton and was second to Constitution Hill in the 2023 Christmas Hurdle. He finished a decent second to leading Arkle contender L’Eau Du Sud in the Kingmaker over fences recently and was 2-2 over hurdles earlier in the season. If he sees out this new trip he should be hard to beat.
- Selection: Rubaud @ 6/4 with Betfred
2.10 Newcastle – Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase (4m1f)
Newcastle’s flagship long-distance contest has drawn a fantastic field of 18 runners. The John McConnell-trained BODHISATTVA was second in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh three weeks ago and could go well again if in a similar mood. Dangers include last year’s winner Anglers Crag and the in-form O’Connell.
- Selection: Bodhisattva @ 14/1 with Betfred
2.25 Kempton – Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
Nicky Henderson toyed with running Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba in this race but opted out in the end and that should pave the way for MONDO MAN to pay him a compliment. Gary & Josh Moore’s French import was second to Lulamba at Ascot on their respective UK debuts and the third and fifth (St Pancras, runs here conceding 5lb to the selection) won next time. He should settle better this time and prove tough to beat.
- Selection: Mondo Man @ 4/7 with Betfred
2.40 Southwell – BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed, 5f)
Karl Burke’s Marshman scored in this grade at Lingfield at the start of the month and should go well again despite carrying a 3lb penalty, while last year’s winner Diligent Harry should get closer after being fourth in that contest on his return. Irish raider VALIANT FORCE prepped for this with a win over 6f at Dundalk recently and should have no trouble dropping down in trip. The former Royal Ascot winner gets the nod for trainer Adrian Murray.
- Selection: Valiant Force @ 6/1 with Betfred
3.00 Kempton – Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
Miami Magic has been beaten by only one horse in three starts over hurdles and that was Potters Charm in a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day, while Tripoli Flyer has justified cramped odds in wide-margin style at Market Rasen and Musselburgh in his last two starts. Both are leading players but the odds are perhaps underestimating the potential STARCROSSED LOVER has for further progress after pleasing wins at Windsor and Hereford since joining Neil Mulholland after starting his career in Ireland. With eight runners, he is a lively each-way contender and is still open to lots of progress.
- Selection: Starcrossed Lover @ 9/1 with Betfred
3.15 Southwell – BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3, 1m3f)
Four-year-olds have won the Winter Derby in three of the last six years, including Military Order a year ago when the race moved from Lingfield to Southwell, and that trend can continue now with CHAMPAGNE PRINCE for Jane Chapple-Hyam. The Lope De Vega colt won a Listed event at Kempton in December and was an easy winner of a C&D trial for this race last month, taking his Southwell figures to 121. William Buick returns in the saddle now and they have a big chance.
- Selection: Champagne Prince @ 11/2 with Betfred
3.35 Kempton – Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m)
Lowry’s Bar has topweight to defy but commands respect, while Hyland is another smart novice returning to handicap company off a big weight. Beachcomber won over course and distance over Christmas but OUR POWER was third in this race in 2022 and won it a year later. Sam Thomas’ charge has run well in both starts this season and has been aimed at this again. He should go well under claimer Dylan Johnston.
- Selection: Our Power @ 13/2 with Betfred
