Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV picks – Paddy Power News

Matt likes the look of Neo King in the Midlands Grand National Handicap at 15:00.

Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips

13:50 Uttoxeter – Its Top
14:08 Kempton – Secret Des Dieux
14:25 Uttoxeter – Hartington (each-way)
14:40 Kempton – Royal Infantry
15:00 Uttoxeter – Neo King
15:18 Kempton – Blueking Doroux
15:35 Uttoxeter – Golden Point

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Cheltenham may be done and dusted, but ITV Racing is back Saturday with action from Uttoxeter and Kempton, starting there with a handicap hurdle over 2m4f.

A wide-open contest. ITS TOP might be thrown in here with a mark of 116. He was a fine second to Supreme third Sober Glory at Newbury on seasonal debut, albeit a long way away from the victor, and then went to Carlisle and won at a short price. 116 looks a very fair mark, and while his point-to-point win was over 2m, he won a Chepstow bumper and should stay well.

A limited handicap chase over 2m2f. A wide-open and tricky heat. Chuggy has been in good form, but the one to beat is SECRET DES DIEUX, who went clear to score at Huntingdon when last seen. That was off a mark of 122, and he’s up to 129, which makes things harder, but he has a good win-to-run record and hopefully can follow up. Sean Bowen rides for James Owen.

A handicap hurdle over nearly 3m. Some decent types here. HARTINGTON stays well and should have an each-way chance for Brendan Powell and Joe Tizzard. A first-time tongue strap is added to a horse who was a fair third off a 1lb higher mark at Sandown last time in deep ground. A second at Haydock in a big field in November suggests this make-up should be ideal. Only had 11 starts, so should have more to offer.

A handicap hurdle over 2m5f. Tough contest to sort out. The class act is ROYAL INFANTRY, and I think this is his ideal distance. He ran really well when second to Hold the Serve here last time, and while he’s gone up 2lb for that – which seems a bit harsh – he must have every chance even under 12st.

The big betting race of the day in the Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase over 4m2f. NEO KING is going to find this hard, up another 1lb, but he stays better than most of these and comes into the race on the back of a cracking third at Haydock. That effort puts him right in the mix, and I see no reason why he can’t hit the frame for Mrs. C. Williams and Ben Jones, who was in great form at Cheltenham. A racing weight of 10st 10lb is absolutely perfect, and the odds are generous.

A handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. BLUEKING DOROUX has never quite fulfilled his potential over fences, but he stays the trip well and was in a Grade 1 company here when last seen. This drop in class is ideal, and in first-time cheekpieces, he has a chance to outclass the field even under 11st 11lb. Harry Cobden rides for Paul Nicholls.

A novices’ handicap chase over 3m. GOLDEN POINT is a proven strong stayer and is on the hat-trick for the Russell-Scudamore combination and jockey Derek Fox. A mark of 119 is a career high, but he’s been gradually getting his act together and was really good at Kelso last time when he made just about all the running. Hopefully, he will pop out on the front here again and go wire to wire.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV picks – Paddy Power News

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