Sunday ITV Betting Tips & Preview

The absence of Capitaine because of the softening ground robs this race of some competition and intrigue, but yesterday’s three-runner novice chase proved they can often remain tricky to predict. River Wylde was highly impressive in victory on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter where, after travelling powerfully and jumping soundly, he dispensed with Hell’s Kitchen with a degree of comfort. He will be tough to beat but I was really taken with the way NORTH HILL HARVEY (Best price 15-8) embraced his new vocation and he may represent a spot of value given his track record of three wins from five starts. There is a school of thought that believes he is a better horse fresh, but trainer Dan Skelton blames himself for his six-year-old’s demise after his Greatwood Hurdle victory 12 months ago and his season may enjoy more longevity this time round.

I was fortunate to grab a word with Joe Tizzard, son of trainer Colin, at Cheltenham yesterday and he felt FOX NORTON (Best price 1-1) was ready to do himself justice in today’s Shloer Chase after a recent racecourse spin. Backing horses at a shade of odds-on when they return to action on bad ground is not generally a profitable way of operating, but Fox Norton is a horse which has won on each of his last two seasonal reappearances and his track record reads 231112. He is also a very potent performer in small fields (six to eight runners) as stats of five successes in six starts suggest and he may have more desire late on than Cloudy Dream.

Victories for Splash Of Ginge and Perfect Candidate yesterday will have ensured the Hollow Bottom pub will have seen some raucous celebrations given the close proximity of the yards of Nigel Twiston-Davies and Fergal O’Brien. The duo share Twiston-Davies’ training establishment and I wonder if the landlord may enjoy another huge Prestbury Park day courtesy of THE NEW ONE (Best price 14-1) this afternoon. The nine-year-old seems to have been trying to justify his career record to his critics for years now but his stats outside of Grade One races read an incredible 101111111121111 and he looks an attractive play with five places on offer and a record of 2-2 in fields like todays (13-16 runners). Hopefully Richard Johnson will steer a wide course on his mount as those that raced on the outside rail enjoyed a decent advantage yesterday. 

OLD GUARD (Best price 22-1) is another that seems to have been around forever, yet is only six and, as a previous winner of this race, he looks a shade overpriced at his morning odds with the enhanced place terms on offer. Admittedly, the ground may not be totally ideal, but a number of his stablemates defied ground concerns yesterday and he has looked in rude health this term off a fair mark.  

Nicky Henderson unveiled a smart filly in Apple's Shakira yesterday and Prestbury Park racegoers may witness another talented female in the shape of DAME DE COMPAGNIE (Best price 11-10) who created such a good impression at Uttoxeter on her UK debut. The daughter of Lucarno cantered through her seasonal bow under a typically understated Barry Geraghty to register a facile win, looking one to keep onside. The market that day was certainly aware of the selection’s potential and she could well sit on the coattails of Slate House who was impressive when making all on his stable debut over course and distance last month.