Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

The unexpected presence of Finian’s Oscar in this field (was thought to be earmarked for Cheltenham next week) ensures this race appears to be one of the best novice chases run outside of the spring festivals for years. 

Bar Footpad and the sidelined Petite Mouchoir, the ante-post list for the Arkle is thoroughly represented and the vote goes to BRAIN POWER (Best price 15-8) even if his jumping was far from exemplary on his Kempton debut. The selection made giant strides over hurdles last season and has only been beaten once in six starts going right handed in this country so can take this to enhance his Cheltenham claims in style.

WILLIAM H BONNEY (Best price 9-2) is one of two Alan King representatives with compelling claims in this intriguing handicap and the six-year-old narrowly gains the nod over stablemate Fidux. 
The selection ran a blinder in the Greatwood Hurdle on his seasonal bow despite racing a little too keenly and he emerged with plenty of credit considering he challenged on the inside of the course which wasn’t really the place to race that day.
King was reported to be eying different targets for the selection at the start of the week, but his presence in the final declarations and recent speed figure, suggests he should be highly competitive in this field and a patient ride can see him involved late on.

National Hunt fans may have been denied the chance of a Christmas cracker in today’s Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, but they could still witness a star performer in FOX NORTON (Best price 8-13).
It is a case of ‘déjà dou’ for Douvan who also sidestepped last year’s renewal late in the peace as punters were again left wondering where they stand with his connections.

However, there is little doubt Fox Norton would have provided a severe test for Douvan anyway and two Grade One wins in the spring confirmed that Colin Tizzard’s seven-year-old is a class act over fences these days.

With an unbeaten record of 4-4 on right-handed tracks, Politologue looks the principle danger especially as he looks to have become a more tractable proposition on the evidence of his smooth Exeter comeback.
However, Fox Norton has the ability to jump with precision at pace and travel strongly over the minimum trip, while also possessing the stamina to win over two-and-a-half miles, attributes which mark him down as a formidable rival in races at today’s trip.

Sugar Baron took most of the Cheltenham fences with him as souvenirs last time and connections reach for the blinkers to try and concentrate his mind. In the circumstances he ran a remarkable race and would be on the scene if finding a better rhythm. If the ground is no worse than good to soft then SOUTHFIELD THEATRE (Best price 11-1) could be worth considering at a price. The excellent Lorcan Williams gets the leg up on the selection who usually goes well at this venue (3134 form figures) and his mount should strip fitter for an encouraging reappearance at Wincanton (career record 6-14 right handed). His yard won this with a similar type last year and he looks to have a live chance.

Today's Becher Chase is a cracking renewal and features last year’s winner VIEUX LION ROUGE (Best price 8-1), runner-up Highland Lodge, The Last Samuri (3rd) and Portrait King (6th) as well as last season’s Grand National-fourth Blaklion. 

With the bookmakers taking no chances with Blaklion, narrow preference is for Vieux Lion Rouge who is well suited by flat, left-handed tracks with cut in the ground. Although he was hammered by Blaklion in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, David Pipe's grand stayer did beat his old rival at Haydock under those circumstances last year. They meet on similar terms today and there is no real reason why these is quite such a disparity in price, especially with the deep ground sure to play to his strengths.

Connections of Malaya believe their mare is going to be very difficult to beat here and they are probably correct as she coped well with bottomless ground in her native France and looks to be thriving for her new surroundings. The Ditcheat inmate impressed at Wetherby when making pretty much all the running and that victory was achieved in Listed company like this contest so there is no issue with today’s level of competition. However, GREY WATERS (Best price 9-2) is a recent scorer on the level at Kempton and those outings on the all-weather should have kept her ticking along nicely. The selection has plenty of experience gained from her efforts on the flat and looks to be improving with each start over hurdles so could surprise Malaya with her ability to travel to the UK already assured.

A disappointing turn-out for a decent prize and, with Flying Angel and Cloudy Dream yet to prove that three miles on heavy ground are their optimum conditions, this could come down to a battle between ALPHA DES OBEAUX (Best price 4-1) and Definitly Red. Narrow preference is for the former who is twice the price on the early shows and, although he has found Grade One races beyond him in his career, this level is within his capabilities and he looked good in the cheekpieces at Clonmel in seeing off some in-form rivals. A career beset by ailments hasn’t helped Alpha Des Obeaux find consistency in his performances, but he appears a very fair price in this company with conditions that should be to his liking.

Gas Line Boy has been a little unfortunate on Merseyside during his career and his latest course start ended in another fall when still travelling well. He has also fallen over these fences but jumped really well in the National when an honourable fifth to One For Arthur. Understandably for a master trainer of staying chasers, Paul Nicholls boasts an excellent record in this type of race and has won this event twice in the last four runnings. SAMETEGAL (Best price 5-1) has been given time to recover from his Wetherby exertions (4th Splash Of Ginge a winner since) and confidence would be dampened if the ground turns desperate. However, he was a very good horse in his pomp and this looks to have been the target for some time.