Andy Newton continues with his popular Saturday ITV Racing tips this weekend, with TEN races being shown across three tracks – Wincanton, Doncaster and Aintree.Â
At Doncaster, it’s the final day of the turf flat season, with the November Handicap their big race – can Lord Melbourne retain his title?
Then at Aintree we are over the National fences for the first time this term, for the Grand Sefton Chase and the booking of a champion jockey has caught Andy’s eye here.
While, finally – there are also five LIVE ITV Racing contests at Wincanton, which include the Badger Beers Handicap – a prize trainer Paul Nicholls has mopped-up ELEVEN times.
Read on to see Andy Newton’s Saturday ITV Racing tips for ALL TEN races.
Plus you can catch his daily horse racing tips and NAP on the SportsCasting site and see Andy each week on the Final Furlong Podcast.
Aintree Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Back Rhino To Charge Home In The Grand SeftonÂ
12:55 Aintree – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) Cl2 (4yo+) 3m½f ITV4
We’ve not had a winning favourite in this race since 2018 – so there might be something here when checking the market nearer race time.
Chasing Fire will be popular after beating The Real Whacker last time over hurdles at Perth, but is up 5lbs and might have been flattered by that win.
Kyntara is the only CD winner in the line-up and is respected too, but needs to bounce back from several poor runs last season. That said, the Mel Rowley yard boasts a solid 42% SR here with their hurdlers.
Owener JP McManus runs two – Crebilly and IMPOSE TOI, with the last-named interesting, despite a lot of weight (12st).
The Nicky Henderson yard has been a bit quiet of late, but you feel it won’t be long before they are kicking into gear and this horse does have a good record fresh.
He’s won first time out in 2023 and 2024, so this might be a good time to catch him – but does run off a career-high mark (148).
Impose Toi was 8/1 when this was put up and it’s also interesting the money has come and he’s now into 2/1 fav – mad!
THE LORD MAID should have more to come after a nice win at Ayr last time too and rates the next best.
She’s now won 50% of her six hurdles starts and is only 6lbs higher than that last success.
While Idem, with a featherweight, is another that should take a step forward from last time, when second to a useful sort in Roger Pol at Hexham.
🥇IMPOSE TOI
🥈THE LORD MAID
🥉IDEMÂ
2:40 Aintree – Grand Sefton Handicap Chase Cl2 (6yo+) 2m5f ITV4
The Greenall/Guerriero-trained Gaboriot was third in this race last year and off a 3lb lower mark has to be noted.
While the winner, King Turgeon is also back for more – but this David Pipe grey is 12lbs higher.
Johnnywho is a fair sort on his day, but just doesn’t win enough for me – so I’m taking a Rhino to charge home.
WHITE RHINO is another trained by the Greenall/Guerriero yard, who won this race in 2023 with Gesskille and this horse looks perfect for these National fences.
He knows how to win too, with seven wins from 16 and is two-from-four over fences, so should have more to come over in the chasing sphere.
The horse is often best fresh too – having won first time out for the last two seasons and the icing on the cake is a certain Sean Bowen, who has won this race twice before, booked to ride.
Of the rest, Frero Banbou was 6th last year here and is off the same mark but is 10lbs better off with last year’s winner King Turgeon this time.
The Venetia Williams yard are in good order too – having won last week’s Charlie Hall and won this race in 2015 with Bennys Mist. But he would probably like a tad more rain.
🥇WHITE RHINO
🥈GABORIOT
🥉FRERO BANBOUÂ
WATCH: King Turgeon Winning The 2024 Grand Sefton at Aintree
Wincanton Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Side With Nicholls To Land Another Badger Beers Handicap Chase
1:10 Wincanton – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-130) 2m4f ITV4
Only seven runners here but cases can be made for them all.
ABINGWORTH is the only CD winner in the field and Harry Cobden booked to ride for the in-form James Owen yard stands out.
He’s been kept ticking over on the flat in the summer and is only 3lbs higher than his last chase win, which came in June. He looks the safest option.
Of the rest, Tapley probably needed the run last time at Plumpton and can do better, with the first time tongue-tie interesting and Isabelle Ryder booked to take off 7lbs.
Meaning he’s 19lbs below his last winning mark – but all four hurdles wins have been over 2m, so will the 2m4f trip suit?
Bourbali and Nickleforce have consistent profiles and will have backers too – but Abingworth gets the nod.
🥇ABINGWORTH
🥈BOURBALI
🥉TAPLEY
1:45 Wincanton – BetMGM Paul & Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Cl2 (4yo+) 2m5½f ITV4
Paul Nicholls won this last year with Larchmont Lass and also in 2018 – he’s got another big chance with JUBILEE ALPHA.Â
This 6 year-old was last seen winning a nice Listed Mares’ Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham back in April and despite having top-weight here looks the class act with more to come.
The slight niggle is the yard’s horses were a bit out of sorts at Exeter on Friday, but with this race being in memory of two of Nicholls’ biggest supporters, he’ll want to win it.
Of the others, Emma Lavelle will be hoping to hit a ‘hole-in-one’ with course winner Bethpage.
While it’s also interesting Nicholls has another in the race – Jena d’Oudairies, who sports the first-time cheekpieces.
🥇JUBILEE ALPHA
🥈BETHPAGE
🥉JENA D’OUDAIRIESÂ
2:23 Wincanton – Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV4
Blueking d’Oroux will be the obvious call here for Paul Nicholls – he’s a 151-rated hurdler and is the clear top-rated here over fences off 147.
But he was turned over at 2/9 on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot, looking a bit one-paced that day and so will the drop in trip suit?
He’s still the most likely winner, with that race sure to have brought him on, but has only won one in his last eight and that was only by a head.
Therefore, the value has to sit with the COBRA QUEEN, who is on a three timer and coming over from the Henry De Bromhead yard in Ireland.
She won well last time at Roscommon over 2m6f and the form has been boasted with the second Kilashee winning since and the third also running well next time.
This mare gets a handy 7lbs from the Nicholls horse too and that means she’s only 7lbs to find, but looks the more likely to improve – whereas we might know where we are with Blueking d’Oroux.
🥇COBRA QUEENÂ
🥈BLUEKING D’OROUXÂ
🥉BREAKING COVERÂ
2:55 Wincanton – BetMGM Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m7f ITV4
This will either be a race punters are plonking in doubles, trebles and accas on Saturday – or heading to the bar to get a drink in.
In short, it will be a shock if RUBAUD isn’t landing this £41k prize for a third year on the spin. He’s rated 20lbs higher than the next best and only has to give away 7lbs.
He’s following the same path as last year after winning at Kempton recently and with Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden winning the last three – then barring mishaps they can both make it four.
James Owen can train the second, with Hamlet’s Night coming out next best on the ratings, while the only other CD winner in the field Frere D’Armes can take bronze.
🥇RUBAUD
🥈HAMLET’S NIGHTÂ
🥉FRERE D’ARMESÂ
3:30 Wincanton – 64th Badger Beers Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m1f ITV4
A race the Paul Nicholls yard have won a record 11 times and I’m taking them to make it 12.
Yes, 20 of the last 22 winners of the Badger Beers Handicap have been aged 9 or younger – but in a race with four of the seven 10 year-olds, I’m ignoring that.
One of those is the 10 year-old THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE, who was runner-up in this race in 2023 and is 5lbs higher.
But this year’s renewal doesn’t look as strong and he’s also had a wind op over the summer – and has won off this mark (152) before.
The key to this horse though is the trip – as after finding the Bet365 Gold Cup and Grand National too far last time, is back to 3m 1f here.
His last runs between 3m and 3m 2f read 2-2-1-3-2.
Again, the small worry is the in-and-out for of the Nicholls yard, but in a very poor renewal, it’s hard to ignore his chance.
That said, I do respect Art Of Diplomacy – a horse that’s been busy over the summer, winning five times.
But this will be his first start since falling at Chepstow (would have won), while also his ninth race since May – so will something just be a tad fresher?
Of the rest, the Honeyball pair of Gustavian and Credo are respected too, with the former another that’s had a wind op recently and looks well-treated off 127 – despite not winning since 2023.
The stable are in good form too, but it’s worth noting Gustavian is just 1-from-23 over fences in his career, so not an easy horse to win with.
🥇THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE
🥈ART OF DIPLOMACY
🥉CREDOÂ
Doncaster Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Take Last Year’s November Handicap Winner To ‘Lord’ It Up Again
1:25 Doncaster – Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Wentworth Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 6f ITV4
With a lot of these having busy seasons, this can go to the William Haggas-trained MONTASSIB.Â
He’s only raced twice this season, when needing the run in the G3 World Trophy Stakes at Newbury in September and wasn’t disgraced when 7th in the G1 Champion Sprint Stakes last time.
This will be easier down into Listed level and acts well in soft ground – there’s a lot to like.
The consistent Apollo One should be on the premises again too and last year’s close second Balmoral Lady has rather lost her way this season but looks overpriced in slightly calmer waters.
🥇MONTASSIB
🥈APOLLO ONEÂ
🥉BALMORAL LADYÂ
3:10 Doncaster – Virgin Bet A Good Bet Irish EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m2f ITV4
Perfect Your Craft did hold an entry in the November Handicap, but the Beckett camp have decided to come here instead – a race they won in 2020 and 2021.
This will be tougher, but she’s an improving filly that has only raced five times – winning three. Softer ground is fine too, but she does need to improve again rated 91 and 19lbs off DANIELLE.Â
This Gosden runner will also love the softer ground and despite not winning as often has she should – has been running in better races.
Including when 5th in the Group One Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot last time to Kalpana – she won’t face anything of her class here.
Danielle has also only had three runs this season, so should have more in the tank and James Doyle, who also rides Montassib, gets the leg-up on what could be a good day for him.
Ex-Stoute horse Anna Swan was an improved second at Yarmouth last time and represents last year’s winning Cheveley Park connections.
🥇DANIELLE
🥈ELWATEEN
🥉PERFECT YOUR CRAFTÂ
3:45 Doncaster – Virgin Bet November Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (3yo+) 1m4f ITV4
Castle Cove and Hopewell Rock will have their backers and it’s easy to see why – they are young improving handicappers – but the low draws in 1 and 4 put me off a bit.
The November Handicap stats tell us 18 of the last 21 winners came from gates 8+ – while 9 of the last 10 winners hailed from stalls 10+.
With that in mind, one of the Ralph Becket runners Master Vinter (gate 11) is interesting, but has only raced three times and that lack of experience might not be ideal in a race like this.
I also question the form of his last win, with the second Gold Penny running poorly next time.
So, this could just be left to last year’s winner LORD MELBOURNE.Â
Yes, he’s up a massive 13lbs from last year’s win, but has only raced once since – and that was a smooth win at Epsom in September.
To be honest, he probably won with too much in-hand that day – and was hiked up 9lbs for that.
Jack Dace, who was on last time, takes off 5lbs again though, which will help with his big weight (9-8) and despite the higher rating could easily still be an improving horse.
You also feel this race would have been the target again, will be fresher than most and draw 13 looks perfect.
Three of the last 17 winners came from stall 13. While seven of the last 17 came between gates 12-14.
Grey Cuban and Last Year’s Third Worth A Saver
Of the rest, Grey Cuban was given an ‘interesting’ ride last time (watch for yourself) – leading, dropping back and then staying on again – with little whip action.
The issue with him is the trip as he’s yet to win over 1m4f, but Rossa Ryan catches the eye in the saddle and is a course winner.
While last year’s third Oneforthegutter might be overpriced too at around 25/1.
The Ian Williams yard are in good order and he’s 14lbs better off with Lord Melbourne for 1 1/4 lengths based on last year.
🥇LORD MELBOURNE
🥈GREY CUBANÂ
🥉ONEFORTHEGUTTER
