ITV Racing Tips: Wetherby NAP & Best Bets From Ascot and Down Royal

There is live racing on ITV on Friday and Saturday this week with coverage from Wetherby, Ascot, Down Royal and both days of the Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland in the USA. 

Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington has taken an opinion on all ten domestic TV races this Saturday:

1.10 Wetherby – 2m3½f Handicap Chase 

TANKING ALONG for Patrick Neville and Brian Hughes heads our horse racing betting market market around 4/1 after a convincing win at Perth. Although he carries an 8lb rise today he should be good enough to defy it.

1.25 Ascot – 2m3f Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 

Lucinda Russell’s JET TO VEGAS comes into the race in rude health after securing victory last time out. The stable has positioned him well and the Good to Firm ground expected at Ascot should play directly into his strengths.

1.45 Wetherby – 2m Mares’ Hurdle 

The six-year-old grey mare ST IRENE is highly progressive under trainer Nick Scholfield. Her career highlight so far was her front-running tactics to land a Listed Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton. We can expect much more of the same today.

2.00 Ascot – 2m1f Handicap Chase 

The Harry Durham-trained TEDDY BLUE (NB) is a little bit of an in-and-out character, but he does have some decent form at Grade 2 level and can be an each-way play in our sports betting market. 

2.18 Wetherby – 3m West Yorkshire Hurdle 

The seven-year-old mare LAVIDA ADIVA (NAP) is a proven distance winner, having previously landed a Listed hurdle over 3 miles and ½ furlong at Kelso.

Given the considerable pull she gets in weights from Strong Leader, she can turn him over on the track.

2.33 Ascot – 3m Regal Encore Handicap Chase 

The Paul Nicholls-trained VIROFLAY can give the Ditcheat trainer a welcome big Saturday winner.

The excellent conditional jockey Mr Lucas Murphy takes the ride, utilising his valuable 7lb weight allowance, and I can see him leading all the way.

2.55 Wetherby – 3m Charlie Hall Chase 

The Real Whacker can reclaim his crown in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday.

He acts best on a sound surface, so the forecast good ground at Wetherby will be ideal for him under seasoned-pro, and former champion, Brian Hughes.

3.15 Down Royal – 3m Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase 

This Grade 1 race marks ROMEO COOLIO’S first time competing at a full three mile distance over fences.

Gordon Elliott remains highly optimistic about his staying power, citing him as his King George VI Chase hope, so a bold show can be expected.

3.30 Wetherby – 2m Handicap Hurdle 

Trained by Lucinda Hughes, the eight-year-old gelding KLITSCHKO comes into the race in consistent handicap form and will have Brian Hughes in the saddle.

If anyone can get the fractions right at Wetherby, then it’s Hughes, and he can make the most of his weight advantage from the top two.

3.43 Ascot – 2m Handicap Hurdle

GOWER PRINCE has winning form on good-to-firm ground and handles a sound surface particularly well, which makes him a solid each-way play at the bottom of the handicap.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*