Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

After a week of enduring a seemingly interminable amount of three-runner races, this year’s EBF Final looks a smashing race to have a crack at. I’m aware, we may all be sick of big-field handicaps in a week’s time, but the opportunity to sink a couple of long distance putts to boost the bank is always welcome so TOUCH KICK (Best price 20-1) and PRIME VENTURE (Best price 16-1) gain the nod. The former doesn’t need too much explaining as he looks set to enjoy more of a test of stamina than the one he underwent at Musselburgh last time when chasing home Gaitway. I’m not sure he deserves to be more than twice the price of that adversary this morning even if both respective handlers boast a terrific record in this race.

Prime Venture is a little more exposed and could arguably be filed in the disappointing category after showing plenty of promise in novice hurdles. He invariably travels well in his races without producing at the business end and he, like Touch Kick, appear to be the stable second strings on jockey bookings. However, a creditable fourth to Air Horse One at Ascot signalled that now might not be the time to abandon Prime Venture and a big field and strong pace could be the conditions he requires to show his best.

Trying to predict how UPSWING (Best price 5-1) will run has proved a rather fruitless exercise in recent times, but he shaped with some promise in a decent race at Kempton last time and could be ready to strike. He has slipped to a very attractive mark following a spell in the doldrums and could take advantage at the expense of the gritty Willoughby Hedge who ground out a doughty course and distance victory last time.

A lot has been made of the Imperial Cup losing some of its glitz and glamour but it still remains a nice prize to win and I’m hopeful taking a two-pronged attack may yield some profit. Gary Moore has traditionally been a go-to trainer in events of this nature since the turn of the century and NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE (Best price 9-1) looks an intriguing runner following an eye-catching effort at Fontwell last time. Easy to back that day, the selection was not unduly punished once his chance had gone and today’s test at this stage of his career looks perfect.

KAYF BLANCO (Best price 12-1) is just one of a number of runners that also hold entries in various festival handicaps and a precious victory in today’s feature would see the selection pick up a penalty while putting itself in with a chance of a handsome bonus for winning this afternoon and next week. The eight-year-old emerged with great credit last time in the Betfair Hurdle won by Ballyandy, however it was the selection’s fine third to Champion Hurdle aspirant Brain Power over course and distance before Christmas which catches the eye as a smart piece of form.

A host of potentially smart staying fillies line up for this Listed bumper and the unbeaten and well regarded Petticoat Tails is likely to make life tough for CAP SOLEIL (Best price 3-1) who narrowly gains the nod in an interesting renewal. The victory of Fergal O’Brien’s likeable mare at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day was enhanced when runner-up Daphne Du Clos roundly beat some useful types at Newbury on her subsequent start to give the race some gravitas. The selection doesn’t do anything particularly quickly, but that may not be an issue on a track which looked tremendously hard work yesterday.

NIMR (Best price 9-2) was in the heat of battle for some time here last month so hopes are high this extended mile shouldn’t be an issue. The selection can be keen at times so he arguably needs to settle a little better to have a solid chance over this trip but, in contrast to some of his rivals, he has race fitness on his side and has obvious claims off a 4lb higher mark given the time of his last victory.

Unfortunately, the bigger prices about KEYSTROKE (Best price 5-2) have disappeared as the clockwatchers fill their boots, but the five-year-old still appears the one to side with in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes. The drop to seven furlongs didn’t inconvenience at Kempton last time and, providing that trip on this tighter track is not an issue, Jeremy Noseda’s gelding could follow up that cosy defeat of Intransigent. The selection is unbeaten in two starts at the track, boasts a potent turn of foot on a synthetic surface and looks sure to appreciate the prospect of a healthy gallop to run at late on.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing