Owen’s Outsiders: 20-1 and 16-1 tips for Saturday’s ITV action

We’re going to be treated to some fantastic action on Saturday! The eye is drawn to Down Royal, as the Gold Cup hero Minella Indo returns in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase. There is also stellar cards in the UK, as Wetherby hosts the Charlie Hall Chase and Ascot provides a very competitive card too.

We’ll have horse racing tips for all three, but you know the drill by now! I’m going for some big-priced selections and hoping that a slightly barren run can end this Saturday. You can find all my analysis below, and good luck with your weekend punting!

1.20 Wetherby – bet365 Handicap Chase

After seeing the entries earlier in the week, I was expecting Road Warrior (16-1) to be half his current price, so I was pleasantly surprised! Trained by Rebecca Menzies, he was highly progressive to end last season, completing a hat-trick with an effortless victory at Sedgefield in April.

His price is likely due to a sixteen-length defeat on seasonal return over course and distance, but it’s best not to overreact to that. He shaped as though he was in desperate need of the run, rather than underperforming, and he remains of serious interest. He gains the services of three-pound claimer Nathan Moscrop and with fitness on his side, I think he can bounce back in a big way.

2.45 Ascot – Byrne Group Handicap Chase

There needs to be rain, and plenty of it, so I’m going to need everyone to do a rain dance for Monsieur Lecoq (20-1). Jane Williams has her string in great form at present and this former Welsh Champion Hurdle winner is extremely well-treated over fences, currently six pounds below that Ffos Las rating.

Granted, that’s because he hasn’t necessarily improved for the switch to this sphere, but it’s still very early days for him. He pushed Mill Green hard on his most recent chasing start and would have needed the run over hurdles at Ffos Las last time. Both those runs came on better ground too, which wouldn’t have helped him at all. He’s now four pounds lower and if the ground does go soft as expected, he’ll have a huge chance.

3.20 Ascot – Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase

It’s a shot in the dark, but Glen Forsa (20-1) is extremely well-handicapped and I’m willing to take the chance on him bouncing back. He was previously very promising, winning a Grade 2 at Sandown as a novice. His form has been extremely patchy since, but there have been glimmers of his best.

To put into context just how well handicapped he is, he placed in a 2019 Newbury handicap off 150, and he’s now rated 137. He makes his stable debut today for Charlie Longsdon and what makes him most interesting, is the fact he’s up in trip. He’s raced once over the 2m 7f distance and he won it, so there could be untapped potential in him over this longer distance.

He goes fine on softer ground and if does perk up for the above factors, he’ll be a big each-way player under Gavin Sheehan.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.