Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Picks – Paddy Power News - Ireland News Beep

Kdeux Saint Fray gets the nod in the 13:45 at Ayr.

Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips

13:10 Ayr – Moudan
13:25 Newbury – Princess Petrol (each-way)
13:45 Ayr – Kdeux Saint Fray
14:00 Newbury – Zavateri
14:20 Ayr – Tutti Quanti
14:35 Newbury – Convergent
14:55 Ayr – Love Of Neymore (each-way)
15:10 Newbury – Urban Lion
15:35 Ayr – Ask Brewster (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 Saturday mixes jumping and Flat racing, starting here with a handicap chase over an extended 2m. There should be a strong pace here with both Sans Bruit and Palacio liking to go from the front. I would think MOUDAN will sit just behind the pace, and he might well be in a good position to pick up some pieces for Ciaran Murphy and Sean Bowen. My selection ran well when second at Fairyhouse last time, and while he’s up a further 5lb here, he should have every chance of a place at least.

Here’s the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, known to many as the Fred Darling, over 7f and seen as a Classic trial for the 1000 Guineas. PRINCESS PETROL might have a little each-way chance here for Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark.

The Emma Banks filly was a decent second to Dance to the Music in the Sweet Solera and probably didn’t enjoy the soft ground when hanging on her last start in France. Shoemark is right on top of his game when getting the chances, and the Walker stable is going all right, albeit they haven’t had many runners.

Here’s a novice handicap chase over 3m. Wide open. KDEUX SAINT FRAY was never sighted in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham, even though he was only sent off at 12-1 for that heat won by Meetmebythesea. Prior to that, the Anthony Honeyball runner had been a good third at Kempton over this trip, and he has placed claims again under Sam Twiston-Davies.

Now the Group 3 Watershed Down Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes for colts and geldings, and seen as a Classic trial for the 2000 Guineas. Hard race to call with all the doubt over how good Albert Einstein is or may be. ZAVATERI was the best of these as a juvenile, and he really should be good enough to score even on his fourth in the Dewhurst. He looked very good when landing the National Stakes at the Curragh. Big runner for Eve Johnson Houghton and Charlie Bishop.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle, which is a limited handicap, over 2m. A decent renewal. TUTTI QUANTI is hard to be strong on after basically refusing to start at Cheltenham last time, but he was a decent winner at Newbury the time before and might be hard to catch if getting away on terms. It won’t be easy, up 13lb for the Newbury success, but there’s no doubt he’s talented, and conditions are fine. Harry Cobden in one of his last big rides for Paul Nicholls.

The Group 3 Surprise Stakes, known to most as the John Porter, over 1m4f. Every time I have seen Karl Burke, he’s been all over CONVERGENT as a horse to follow this season, and I get the impression he will be very disappointed if the colt doesn’t win this on his return. A Group 2 winner in France last season, Clifford Lee’s mount can still improve this term and might just end up as a possible Arc de Triomphe type.

Now a mares’ handicap hurdle over an extended 3m. Another tricky event. If first-time cheekpieces bring out a bit more from LOVE OF NEYMORE, she would have a decent each-way chance for Charlie Price and Robbie Llewellyn. The mare has been consistent of late and stays well, as she showed when fourth in a big field at Windsor in January. Has decent place prospects at the very least.

Here’s the Spring Mile handicap over, yes, you have guessed it, a mile. URBAN LION is up 4lb to 102 for his Lincoln success, but his back form suggests it’s not impossible he can be in the mix again. He’s relatively lightly raced after just 13 outings, and there’s no reason why he won’t improve for having a run. Conditions should be ideal; he goes just as well on good to firm as on good to soft. Eddie Greatrex rides for Jack Channon.

The big betting race of the day is the Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase over 4m. ASK BREWSTER is up 7lb for his victory in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, but he’s only 7 years old, and he might well have more to offer for Mrs Williams and Mr Cotter, who takes off 7lb. The important thing with him is that he has the pace to hold a position early, and that is often key in this race. If he gets into a good rhythm, he should stay well. I’ll have a few quid on each-way.

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

Matt Chapman’s 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 ITV Racing Picks – Paddy Power News

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