Andy Newton’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Sandown and Musselburgh Best Bets and Trends

More top jump horse racing action this weekend, so don’t miss Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips on Saturday – with the action coming from Sandown and Musselburgh.

You can also catch Andy each week on the popular FINAL FURLONG PODCAST with host Emmet Kennedy and guests.

Plus each day you can also see Andy’s daily horse racing tips and cheat sheet – including his NAP, NB, Lay Of The Day and hot trainers list.

Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips Sandown and Musselburgh: Saturday 31st January 2026 

The ITV Racing schedule on Saturday comes from Sandown and Musselburgh, with NINE races being shown on the ‘free-to-air’ channel.

At Sandown there are six live ITV races to look out for, with the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (2:40pm) the big one.

While at Musselburgh, we’ve their biggest jumps meeting of the season – with races on Saturday that include the Scottish Champion Chase (2:20) and Scottish Triumph Hurdle (1:10).

So, to take you through the action you can see Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips below – as he gives you his quickfire 1-2-3 best bets and key trends.

Let’s get going.

Sandown ITV Racing Tips: Saturday 31st January, 2026 🏇

12:55 – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-125) 2m4f ITV

I’ve been impressed with BOLLIN THOU in his last races – winning at Uttoxeter, Hereford and Lingfield.

He’s up a big-looking 13lbs here so that makes life harder here, but has been winning with a bit left under the bonnet for me.

Harry Cobden is a further plus in the saddle and is the call to continue his winning run.

Of the rest, recent Lingfield winner Precious Metal is noted too as is Calme Olympien, with James Bowen riding (won the last two runnings).

🥇BOLLIN THOU
🥈CALME OLYMPIEN
🥉PRECIOUS METAL

KEY STATS 📈

1:25 – Virgin Bet A Good Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (5yo+ 0-125) 2m4f ITV

Moore runner Rip Wheeler disappointed me last time out on his three-timer bid and the blinkers are tried today – but this looks harder.

Mon Champion goes for Paul Nicholls, but their stable SR at the moment is a bit iffy (2-29 at the time of writing).

But it’s interesting the Moore camp also run LYLIAN here, who has disappointed in recent runs – but the softer ground here could be the key.

He’s had two months off since his last run and has fair form in France with give to suggest he’s worth another chance.

Freddie Mitchell also helps to take off 3lbs.

Of the rest, El Granjero and Norn Iron are expected to make their presence felt too.

🥇LYLIAN
🥈EL GRANJERO
🥉NORN IRON

KEY STATS 📈

2:02 Sandown – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 1m7½f ITV

Old rivals Kotmask and Martator lock horns again and look dangerous off these marks.

Jax Junior is a horse I like too and is back from a wind op. But his four wins have been on good-to-soft or quicker – which is the worry.

So, we could just look back to last year’s race for the winner – with Gunsight Ridge beating off DR T J ECKLEBURG. 

There was only 1/2 a length between them that day, but Eckleburg is 4lbs better off here.

Plus, Gunsight Ridge, despite respected, is another year older at 11, whereas the Evan Williams runner is still only 8.

A recent third from Dr TJ at Windsor was also a sign he’s running back into form and gets in here off the same mark (120).

Let’s take the Dr to come up with the right medicine here.

🥇DR T J ECKLEBURG
🥈GUNSIGHT RIDGE 
🥉KOTMASK

KEY STATS 📈

2:40 Sandown – Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4f ITV

Just the four runners here, which is a shame – but still a fair contest with them all winning last time out.

Course winner Sixmilebridge is 2-from-2 over fences and has done nothing wrong. He won’t mind the ground and jumped better last time than his debut win.

But the Irish raiders Kala Conti and KITZBUHEL set a fair standard should be hard to beat.

Conti won well at Cork last time – she slammed Irish Arkle hope Kargese by 13 lengths and that horse has won since.

She also gets 7lbs off Kitzbuhel and Elliott won this in 2023 in these silks with Gerri Colombe.

But the form of the Gordon Elliott runners at the moment is only average at best.

However, it was hard to not be impressed with the way Kitzbuhel won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day (see below).

He jumped super from the front and if getting into a similar rhythm will put a lot of pressure on the jumping of the others.

This 6yo can give Willie Mullins only his second win in the race, with his other in 2015 with Gitane Du Berlais.

🥇KITZBUHEL
🥈KALA CONTI 
🥉SICMILEBRIDGE

KEY STATS 📈

3:10 Sandown – Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m7½f ITV

Just one winning jolly in the last 10, so likely favourite and CD winner Henri The Second is overlooked for the win – but should still go well.

He was also runner-up in 2025 and is 2lbs lower.

But 90% of the last 10 winners were also aged 8 or younger, which would be against the 9yo Henri The Second.

The winner 12 months ago, Red Dirt Road is also back for more and has to be noted, but is 6lbs higher this time and also falls down on the age stat.

Therefore, HARTINGTON is the call to bounce back after a poor run last time at Windsor.

That run was too bad to be true and most likely the quicker (good) ground didn’t suit.

While before that effort, had won at Carlisle and was a close second in a good race at Haydock.

Back up in trip too and on softer conditions I expect to see better from this 7yo Tizzard runner.

Course winner Titan Discovery and recent Cheltenham scorer Party Vibes are noted too.

🥇HARTINGTON
🥈RED DIRT ROAD 
🥉HENRI THE SECOND 

KEY STATS 📈

3:42 Sandown – Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 3m ITV

Stamina will be the order of the day here – especially on soft ground.

Which is why it’s hard to look away from MR VANGO, who will love these conditions.

This likeable stayer, who was last seen running second in the Becher Chase over the National fences, rarely knows how to run a bad race.

Having won four of his eight starts over fences. Plus, has only been out of the first three once from those outings.

Of the rest, Boxing Day Aintree scorer Fortunate Man is up 5lbs for that win and has new JP McManus jockey Harry Cobden in the plate.

While Hennessy Gold Cup fifth Pic Roc and Hunter Legend are others to note – with Venetia Williams having won the last two renewals.

🥇MR VANGO
🥈HUNTER LEGEND
🥉FORTUNATE MAN

KEY STATS 📈

Musselburgh ITV Racing Tips: Saturday 31st January, 2026 🏇

1:10 Musselburgh – bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (A Juvenile Hurdle) (Listed Race) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo) 1m7½f ITV

Lord has answered a few prayers for his backers this season – winning four times over the sticks, including a five-length success at Aintree last time.

And the McCain camp won this is 2021 too – he could make another bold bid from the front, for sure.

Favourites have done well in this race as well, so Secret Force, for the Gavin Cromwell team will be popular too.

He was a nice winner on debut at Punchestown and was last seen running fourth at Cheltenham in November to One Horse Town.

But a chance is taken on the Paul Nicholls runner FALLS OF ACHARN, with the yard having a fine record in this race.

They’ve won four of the last nine runnings, including two of the last three.

This 4yo is also a CD winner here at Musselburgh, when beaten another runner here Scarlett Moon on New Year’s Day.

Yes, is 7lbs worse off with that Archie Watson runner, but with that being his first ever run should also improve for it.

🥇FALLS OF ACHARN
🥈SECRET FORCE
🥉LORD 

KEY STATS 📈

1:43 Musselburgh – bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 1m7½f ITV

Kateira will be better now back in trip, after finding 3m too far last time at Doncaster.

But this race should revolve around the top three in the market.

Afadil won this in 2024 and was runner-up in 2025 – and hasn’t won a race since taking this two years ago.

But is 5lbs lower this time and also has Freddie Keighley taking off 7lbs – so is much better off this time.

Then, Welsh Charger took this 12 months ago and loves it here, where he’s 2-from-2.

This would have been his target again.

And, finally, the improving Williethebuilder is a big player as well – heading here on a three-timer after wins at Kempton.

He’s up 6lbs more this time but has been winning with a bit up his sleeve.

So, it’s ‘take your pick’ stuff with these three, but despite being a tad hard to win with AFADIL is the call on these terms.

🥇AFADIL
🥈WILLIETHEBUILDER
🥉WELSH CHARGER 

KEY STATS 📈

2:20 Musselburgh – bet365 Scottish Champion Chase (For The Bowes-Lyon Trophy) (A Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m4½f ITV

The Kalooki Kid won this last season but is back for more rated 138 and 7lbs higher.

Traprain Law was also third 12 months ago and would certainly has a chance off 3lbs lower – but the niggle is the form of the Russell/Scudamore team at the moment.

JPR One and Teddy Blue will have their backers too.

But this could be another for Paul Nicholls, who runs INSURRECTION.

He won at this meeting last season too by 16 lengths and is back rated only 5lbs higher.

A recent close third on NYD at this track would also have put him spot-on for this.

So, I’ll take INSURRECTION to cause another ‘uprising’ here.

🥇INSURRECTION
🥈TRAPAIN LAW 
🥉KALOOKI KID 

KEY STATS 📈