It’s another decent weekend of racing, with Newbury and Warwick both having Graded action on their cards.. ITV are showing SEVEN of the key races from the Newbury and Warwick cards on Saturday 11th February, and our racing editor Tom Aldridge has picked out a tip for each of the Saturday ITV races!
Below, we talk you through our selections for all seven ITV races on Saturday afternoon, including our tips for the three Graded races they’re showing. Check out who he’s siding with each race, including some strong fancies at Newbury, plus how he can’t wait to see Jonbon back in action in the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.
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Galahad Quest (1.30 Warwick) – N/R so Stolen Silver
Stolen Silver is the class act in the field here but he’s going to struggle giving almost two stone to GALAHAD QUEST, who is on his lowest career mark to date.
Jane Williams’ 7YO has struggled to get his head in front when it matters, but it was a solid effort when second to Elixir De Nutz at Wincanton last month, finishing comfortably clear of the remainder (including the winner of this race last year Celebre D’Allen). The winner made all that day and it’s always difficult to catch a strong front runner at Wincanton, and Galahad Quest has been dropped another 1lb in the ratings for that runner-up effort.
Cheekpieces have been added for the first time and the hope is they can eke out enough improvement to see him get his head in front here.
*Galahad Quest is now a non-runner, so it’s difficult to see past the favourite STOLEN SILVER now.*
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Bridge North (1.50 Newbury) – E/W Lucky 15
This looks wide open to me, and you could easily make a case for a lot of these. However, looking back at recent years this tends to go the way of a younger horse, and I reckon this year could be the same with BRIDGE NORTH.
This will be his first step out of Class 1-2 company since winning easily at Bangor last March, and his runs this season have been better than the bare results suggest. He signed off for last season with a cracking fifth in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, which is by far the best bit of form on offer here.
He finished clear of West To The Bridge on his seasonal return, before pulling up next time out at Sandown due to unsuitably soft ground. He’s better on drier ground so his seventh-placed finish last time was a great effort, and the form of that has been boosted since. Jet Of Magic (2nd) and Call Me Lord (5th) placed in a Premier Handicap at Sandown last week, and the sixth-placed Thomas Darby won next time out. I think the odds on offer for Bridge North are generous, and I’m confident he can at least place here.
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Love Envoi (2.05 Warwick) – Top Treble (Leg 1)
This should be relatively straightforward for LOVE ENVOI, who should make it 3/3 for the season and can head to Cheltenham full of confidence.
Harry Fry’s star mare has only tasted defeat once in her career, when second to Willie Mullins’ Brandy Love in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last April. She’s resumed this season with a couple of wins, including an impressive 13 length victory in Listed company at Sandown last month.
The old girl Indefatigable could be a danger back in mares company but she may be susceptible to a younger star, and Love Envoi looks one of the best hopes of a Cheltenham Festival winner for trainer Harry Fry next month. She’s priced accordingly to win this, but I can’t see any of the others getting close to her.
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Hitman (2.25 Newbury) NAP
Paul Nicholls has won two of the last four renewals of this and I think he stands a fantastic chance of landing another winner this year with HITMAN. This isn’t an overly strong renewal and although he hasn’t won in Graded company, he has some of the best form on offer.
He could only finish third in the Game Spirit Chase on this card last year, but he followed that up with a much improved effort in the Melling Chase at Aintree, finishing second behind Fakir D’Oudairies. He then had wind surgery over the summer and only just failed to catch Riders Onthe Storm on reappearance, when giving the winner 22lbs.
He made no mistake next time out, making all and winning easily at Haydock in November. He was then well supported for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, but a blunder over the 11th fence put paid to his chances and the vet also reported he bled from his nose). He’s been given a break and should come here primed for a big run.
Eldorado Allen is the chief danger, who finished one length ahead of Hitman to win the Haldon Gold Cup in 2021. Hitman is 6lb better off here and I fully expect him to reverse that form. This could be a big day for Paul Nicholls at Newbury, and I think Hitman can land one the first Grade 2 on the card – he should prove too good and I make him the NAP of the day.
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Jonbon (2.40 Warwick) – Top Treble (Leg 2)
Haddex Des Obeaux has won his last two impressively and is a horse on the up, but he would have to pull something out of the bag to get close to JONBON here, who is in a class of his own.
Nicky Henderson’s Arkle hopeful has only lost once in his career to date, which was to a certain Constitution Hill, so it’s fair to let him off for that! Aside from that, he has been an absolute machine and has taken well to fences this season. He’s won both races this season easily enough, and this won’t be any more difficult than those races.
He’s a heavy odds-on favourite here but he’s earned that right. Jonbon should be miles too good for these and I’m hoping he bolts up here before putting it up to the Irish in the Arkle.
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Greaneteen (3.00 Newbury) – Daily Double (Leg 1)
GREANETEEN is streets ahead of these and should make light work of this. He’s the highest rated by some distance and should prove his class here with a dominant display, before heading to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Paul Nicholls’ star ran out a comfortable winner of the Haldon Gold Cup on seasonal reappearance, before chasing home the impressive Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek in December. He was over seven lengths clear of Gentleman De Mee that day, who recently ran out a convincing winner of the Dublin Chase at the DRF last week.
He has a solid record outside of Grade 1 company, and has struck up a good relationship with Harry Cobden. Funambule Sivola looks the only realistic threat to him, but he still has a fair bit to find with Greaneteen here. If Paul Nicholls’ charge is on form, he should be able to win this without having to hit top gear.
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Monviel (3.35 Newbury) – E/W Lucky 15
I love the Betfair Hurdle, it’s one of the best handicaps of the season in my opinion. I was at Newbury to see last year’s renewal, and thought I’d tipped the winner with I Like To Move It, but he just failed to get past Glory And Fortune. I’m hoping to go one better this year with MONVIEL.
My initial selection for the race was Hacker Des Places, who is now a non-runner, but there wasn’t much between the two so I’m almost glad one has come out of the race! Philip Hobbs’ lightly-raced MONVIEL ran out a comfortable winner on seasonal return at Ascot in November, taking his record over hurdles to 61181. He looks sure to go well and it would be a shock to see him finish out of the places.
Filey Bay has to be feared coming over for Emmet Mullins, as does Willie Mullins’ Icare Allen, but this race tends to go to a Brit runner. Another big danger could be Master Chewy, whose trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has a fantastic record in the race, but I’m hoping Monviel can continue his upward curve with a career best performance here.
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