Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing bets – Paddy Power News

Mr @MCYeeehaaa reckons Grey Dawning can get his revenge in the Betfair Chase (15:00).

Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing Tips

13:15 Haydock – Florida Dreams (each-way)
13:30 Ascot – Il Est Francais
13:50 Haydock – The Jukebox Man
14:25 Haydock – Electric Mason (each-way)
14:40 Ascot – Wodhooh
15:00 Haydock – Grey Dawning
15:15 Ascot – Martator (each-way)

*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

ITV Racing is back Saturday with action from Haydock and Ascot, starting here with a handicap hurdle over 2m3f. Kabral du Mathan is a horse I like a lot, but this is a big ask on seasonal debut under 11st 10lb. I feel I have to take him on.

He returns off his highest-ever mark. Minella Missile is also going to pop up at some stage. The each-way play is FLORIDA DREAMS, who has ideal conditions and is in decent shape after a second at Carlisle just under three weeks ago. He’s up another 2lb for that defeat, but he should be bang ready for this. Brian Hughes rides.

This is a cracker and arguably the race of the day despite a small field. A Grade 2 Chase over 2m5f.

It’s not often I sit on the fence, but if honest, it’s hard to know what will happen here. IL EST FRANCAIS has to the selection because I think he’s got absolute genius in him. But because of past medical issues, if he pulled up, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Since he last won a chase, he’s broken blood vessels and been over hurdles. Of course, he also has a Grade 1 win at Kempton on his CV as a novice and a second in a King George, where up to his trip, he looked explosive. I think he’s the best horse, but the best horse doesn’t always win. James Reveley rides for Noel George.

A Graduation Chase over an extended 2m5f. It’s one of those days in the condition/Graded chases where there are plenty of question marks about horses who stand out on their best form.

We have that right here, with THE JUKEBOX MAN confidently expected to be too talented for this lot if anywhere near his best. That, of course, is a big ‘if’, as he returns from injury, and after 331 days away from the course.

When last seen, he was a fabulous winner of the Grade 1 novice staying chase at Kempton over Christmas, the Kauto Star. Ben Pauling trains with Ben Jones, taking the mount.

Here’s a handicap hurdle over an extended 3m. Jingko Blue could still be anything, but ELECTRIC MASON might be the one here after his fine comeback second at Cheltenham 28 days ago.

That was over the same trip, and while he’s up 4lb, Freddie Gordon and father-trainer Chris should have every chance of hitting at least the frame.

The Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle This race is over 2m3f and there are a load of staying hurdle possibles in here.

It’s the hurdling equivalent of the John Durkan, so be warned of a possible turn up. At this stage, it’s hard to see beyond WODHOOH, who has been running over 2m4f so far – expected to step up in trip at some point – and has a decent rating of 154 and gets plenty of weight from a horse like Crambo.

The Martin Pipe Conditional heroine was also second to Lossiemouth at Aintree, and conditions look perfect for her. Gordon Elliott trains with Danny Gilligan on top.

The feature of the day for many in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over an extended 3m1f. I’m not convinced that GREY DAWNING is a strong stayer at this trip, but he travelled like a machine in this last year before being worried out of it by Royale Pagaille, and I’d imagine he’d have a bit too much pace for the others.

He didn’t run much last season after a desperate effort in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. However, a second at Aintree in Grade 1 company to Gaelic Warrior showed he still has an engine, and trainer Dan Skelton and his jockey brother Harry are in belting form.

A handicap chase over 2m1f. Teddy Blue has been a revelation for Harry Derham over fences, and he loves it here. But I always feel I should take him on.

I’ll have defending champion MARTATOR each-way for Venetia Williams and Ned Fox, who takes off 5lb. My hope had a spin at Exeter a couple of weeks ago, showed little, and should come on for that.

He goes on any ground, and he should be a very well handicapped horse off 139. He won this race off 140 last year.

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 Racing bets – Paddy Power News

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