Guide to Saturday’s ITV Racing

We are in for a belter of an afternoon on the ITV main channel. It’s the first British Grade 1 of the 2018/19 National Hunt season in the shape of the Betfair Chase at Haydock. The Gold Cup 1-2 of Native River and Might Bite lock horns once again, last years 57 length winner of the race Bristol De Mai, 2016 King George winner Thistlecrack and the improving Clan Des Obeaux make for a stellar lineup. That’s supported by three other contests at Haydock which features the 8lb well-in First Assignment after he won so impressively at Cheltenham last weekend. A couple of fascinating Grade 2 contests at Ascot plus a competitive Handicap Chase make for a mouthwatering afternoon of action. All of our ITV Racing tips are live!

Gold Cup rematch in the Betfair Chase

Last seasons Gold Cup was a titanic tussle from flag fall until Native River crossed the finish line. He displayed his tenacity once again in the gruelling conditions, but today’s test will be very different. A shorter trip on a flatter track and quicker ground could swing things in the favour of Might Bite who should relish the conditions. This contest will be more a test of speed than what the pair encountered in March, which plays right into the hands of Nicky Henderson’s star. Bristol De Mai is also in the field who was an emphatic 57 length winner of the race last year and is unbeaten at the track. If Thistlecrack bounces back to his 2016 best then it would not be a surprise if he went close and Clan Des Obeaux is a young horse very much on the upgrade with plenty of potential.

Our Betfair Chase tips are on site!

Politologue starts road to the King George

Having ended last campaign with a Grade 1 win over two and a half miles, this looks the ideal starting point for Politologue. He’s top rated in the field and being a course and distance winner, his class should come to the fore. Charbel ran an excellent race last time to concede weight and a beating to subsequent Betvictor Gold Cup winner Baron Alco last time, but has a bit to find with the favourite based on the Tingle Creek last year. Benatar is a horse with bundles of ability and has won twice at Ascot, but needs to learn to settle if he’s to make a splash in a race like this.

Our Christy 1965 Chase tips are on site!

We Have A Dream & If The Cap Fits go head to head once more

The two exciting youngsters met in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton just a couple of weeks ago. If The Cap Fits got the better of the argument that day, but this extra distance could just swing things in the favour of We Have A Dream. They should both come on for that run to display their Champion Hurdle credentials today, but the 156-rated four year old may just have too much for his rivals. Old Guard is an admirable sort who’s been busy in recent weeks and is consistent under these conditions, but does have to concede weight all round.

Our Coral Hurdle tips are on site!

Going Reports

Gowran Park – (Chase) – Yielding, (Hurdles) – Good, Yielding in places

Lingfield – Standard

Huntingdon – Good

Haydock – Good, Good to Soft in places

Ascot – Good, Good to Soft in places

Wolverhampton – Standard

Market Movers

12.50pm Lingfield – Jabarout (18/1 into 9/1)

3.10pm Lingfield – Tesorina (11/1 into 11/2)

7.45pm Wolverhampton – Sunvisor (8/1 into 9/2)

Saturday’s Tips

Both of today’s NAP of the Day and Next Best run live on ITV. Last Saturday we landed a huge 204/1 Mega Acca and we’ve got 43/1, 15/1 and 12/1 Accumulator tips for today!

Stat Of The Day

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden are both in excellent form, boasting a 39% strike rate when teaming up in the past two weeks. They combine with six runners at Haydock this afternoon. Grand Sancy (12.10pm), Magic Saint (1.15pm), Cliffs Of Dover (1.50pm), Captain Cattistock (2.25pm), Clan Des Obeaux (3.00pm) and Braquer D’Or (3.35pm).