Guide to Saturday’s ITV Racing

The jumps season continues to roll on ITV4 this Saturday as the cameras are at Wetherby and Ascot. One of the biggest chases to really get the season underway is the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, it’s been used as a stepping stone to future Grade 1 wins that campaign by the likes of Silviniaco Conti, Cue Card and Bristol De Mai in recent years. That contest is supported by the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle and also a Listed Hurdle for Mares. Four races are featured from Ascot with the main attraction being the Grade 3 Sodexo Gold Cup where Go Conquer will be seeking back to back wins. We have all seven races covered in our ITV Racing tips.

Black Corton aims to step up in the Charlie Hall

It’s a small but select field for this years renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase and it’s Black Corton‘s first attempt out of novice company over fences. He was a revelation last season, winning nine times from April which included a Grade 1. Paul Nicholls looks to have found an ideal starting point for him, but it won’t be easy, particularly against Definitly Red. He was touted for the Gold Cup last season following a pair of impressive Grade 2 wins. Not at all disgraced when sixth in the big race itself, he unseated early on in the Betway Bowl so never had a go at that. A classy animal that Black Corton will find a tough nut to crack.

Our Charlie Hall Chase tips are on site now!

Go Conquer to do just that in repeat Sodexo Gold Cup bid

Following a seriously impressive win in this contest last year, Go Conquer didn’t quite go on from then with form figures of U58 since. But he’s dropped down the weights and is now just 5lbs higher than when winning here last year. Having his first run for Nigel Twiston-Davies, there is a strong chance he’ll be back to his best and could put up another bold display. He won’t be short of challengers though as Traffic Fluide bounced back to form with a couple of wins towards the backend of last season. On his return he only just failed to concede 20lbs to the well-handicapped The Young Master and another good show is likely up another 2lbs. Adrien Du Pont is an interesting contender for Paul Nicholls, he’s having his first start over this trip on chase handicap debut.

Our Sodexo Gold Cup tips are on site now!

Going Reports

Newmarket – Soft

Wetherby – Good, Good to Firm in places

Ayr – Good, Good to Soft in places

Ascot – Good

Down Royal – Good, Good to Yielding in places

Newcastle – Standard

Market Movers

1.30pm Wetherby – Copper West (15/2 into 4/1)

3.10pm Newmarket – Thrave (16/1 into 7/1)

3.55 Ayr – Fulled Booked (16/1 into 7/1)

Saturday’s Tips

We head into the weekend with plenty of momentum having landed a 31/1 Acca on our Breeders’ Cup tips on Friday night. 47/1 & 16/1 Accumulator tips are live ahead of today’s racing. We’ve also had a 20/1 winner with 16/1 & 14/1 places on the Early Value tip this week, today’s selection is 28/1.

Stat Of The Day

Dan Skelton has been the top trainer at Wetherby over the past five seasons, with 31 wins from 86 runners at a strike rate of 36% and £15.89 profit to £1 stakes. He saddles Goodthyneaway (12.55pm), Workbench (1.30pm), Whatzdjazz (2.05pm), Virgilio (2.40pm) and High Secret (3.15pm) at the track today.