The ITV cameras are at Cheltenham and Windsor on Saturday for some top-class graded National Hunt action.
SATURDAY’S ITV RACING TIPS
- 13:10 Cheltenham – Admiral Will Brown
- 13:25 Windsor – Tzarmix
- 13:45 Cheltenham – Kabral Du Mathan
- 14:20 Cheltenham – July Flower (NAP)
- 14:55 Cheltenham – Geezer Rockstar (NB)
- 15:10 Windsor – Secret Squirrel
- 15:30 Cheltenham – Sunny South West
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13:10 2m½f (2m87y) (Old Course) JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (3yo)
Josh Williamson and Patrick Magee team up with ADMIRAL WILL BROWN, who created a very favourable impression on hurdle debut at Down Royal. He travelled very strongly through the race, and when asked to go and win his race, he quickened up and galloped away from his rivals. There could be more to come, and with a clear round he could be involved in the finish.
Selection: Admiral Will Brown
13:25 3m Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-125)
A runner who has been in very consistent form of late is TZARMIX, who has two wins and three seconds from its last six starts. On his first start this season, he was an impressive winner at Chepstow, and if he can back that up, he should be involved here. Sean Houlihan will be aboard for the first time, and it’s quite interesting that he takes the mount, as he has only had three mounts for this trainer before.
Selection: Tzarmix
13:45 2m (1m7f199y) (Old Course) Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The November) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+)
While much of the attention in this race will be around last season’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Old Park Star, KABRAL DU MATHAN was electric on his chase bow at Perth a month ago, and if he improves, he will be very hard to beat. He finished fourth in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March, so you would expect 2m 4f + to suit him in time. He could pop out in front here and put the jumping of Old Park Star under pressure.
Selection: Kabral Du Mathan
14:20 2m4f (2m4f44y) (Old Course) Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Registered As The William Holman) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
A chance is taken with JULY FLOWER for Henry De Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe in this very competitive affair. She has been a model of consistency for the Knockeen team and was a winner at this meeting last year. She was third to Romeo Coolio over Christmas at Leopardstown and then fifth to Dinoblue in the Mares Chase at the festival. A mark of 142 may underestimate her ability, and with a clear round, she should be involved.
Selection: July Flower
14:55 3m (2m7f208y) (Old Course) Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
Bryan Carver and Harry Fry team up with GEEZER ROCKSTAR, and this gelding comes into the equation based on an impressive hurdle win at Uttoxeter last time out. He has won his last two starts off marks of 109 and 114, and the handicapper has taken note, pushing him up to 122. There could be more to come, and with luck in running, he should be involved.
Selection: Geezer Rockstar
15:10 2m Berkshire Winter Million £40 For 3 Days Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-125)
The very flashy SECRET SQUIRREL could be back in the winner’s enclosure for the Hughie Morrison team with Tom Cannon in the saddle. A recent pipe opener at Nottingham on the level should leave the gelding spot on for his return to hurdles. The gelding was last seen over hurdles in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and had finished down the field in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The handicapper has given him a chance off a mark of 126, and market support should be noted.
Selection: Secret Squirrel
15:30 2m5f (Old Course) Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)
The final Cheltenham race on TV on Saturday could see an Irish winner, with SUNNY SOUTH WEST representing Edward Power and Michael Kenneally. He was well backed on his last appearance here three weeks ago and finished fourth to Frontier Prince. He had been in good form on the level and over hurdles prior to that, and if they ride him differently here, you could see a big performance. He was very keen at the head of affairs last time, so if another runner went on here and he settled in behind, he might see the race out better.
Selection: Sunny South West
SATURDAY’S ITV RACING TIPS
- 13:10 Cheltenham – Admiral Will Brown
- 13:25 Windsor – Tzarmix
- 13:45 Cheltenham – Kabral Du Mathan
- 14:20 Cheltenham – July Flower
- 14:55 Cheltenham – Geezer Rockstar
- 15:10 Windsor – Secret Squirrel
- 15:30 Cheltenham – Sunny South West
