Horse Racing Tips
ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 31st January 2026
The ITV cameras are at Musselburgh, Sandown and Leopardstown on Saturday afternoon to bring viewers an 11 race live terrestrial horse racing marathon.
12.55 Sandown
Former jockey, turned new trainer, Nick Scholfield is having an absolute ball with BOLLIN THOU this season, and the eight-year-old comes into the reckoning again this weekend. The eight-year-old is still well ahead of the handicapper it appears.
1.10 Musselburgh
LORD took the Listed Wirral Hurdle at Aintree in fine fashion on Becher Chase at Aintree and can give Donald McCain another Listed winner in Scotland. The four-year-old has an impressive 4 wins from 6 races at present.
1.25 Sandown
EL GRANJERO has been as tough as they come so far this season, so it is hard to envisage him not being in the shake up here. Second to Silver Thorn at Exeter, this drop in distance should work in his favour.
1.43 Musselburgh
Donald McCain’s STATIC has been on my radar for some time now since he was racing around Auteuil as a youngster. Two satisfactory runs at Huntingdon and Kelso give him an each-way squeak for Scottish owner Jimmy Fyffe.
2.02 Sandown
Harry Derham’s ESCAPEANDEVADE looked all over the winner at Haydock a fortnight ago, but was just picked off late in the closing stages by Koukeo. The ten-year-old can put it up to his younger rivals again.
2.20 Musselburgh
TEDDY BLUE (NAP) can give Harry Derham winners at opposite ends of the country on Saturday afternoon. The eight-year-old has a tendency to bounce back from a poor run with a good one, so big things are expected on the afternoon.
2.40 Sandown
Fergal O’Brien does not think SIXMILEBRIDGE will be as inconvenienced by the testing ground at Sandown in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, in fact he believes he will flourish.
Unbeaten in two over fences, he can make it number three on Saturday and will be a decent price in our horse racing betting.
2.55 Leopardstown
The awe-inspiring victory by Gordon Elliott’s youngster in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse, followed by a battling win in the Racing Post Novice Chase on Boxing Day, should see ROMEO COOLIO lands the spoils once more this weekend.
His two rivals will need to improve significantly to even get close to him.
3.10 Sandown
Course and distance winner HENRI THE SECOND is gradually coming to the boil in terms of form, and he can go close in this 2m7½f hurdle. Harry Cobden in the saddle is a major positive too.
3.30 Leopardstown
I AM MAXIMUS showed us that that there was still life in the old boy yet when running a stormer to finish second to Affordale Fury in the Savills Chase here over Christmas.
The 2024 Grand National winner and 2025 runner-up, had looked laboured on his seasonal return in the John Durkan, but was back to his old self a month ago. Still a top quality chaser, I feel that JP’s charge can run a big each-way race in this contest.
3.42 Sandown
Sara Bradstock’s MR VANGO, who has not raced since being beaten a short head in the Becher Chase at Aintree early last month, can show us all why he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with at Aintree by taking this 3m Chase.
The 155-rated chaser can account for his inferior rated rivals at Sandown and will be a popular pick in the sports betting.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
