Saturday's ITV Racing Tips & Preview

The experienced and industrious BRAQUEUR D’OR (Best price 2-1) posted one of his finest efforts over fences in the Ladbrokes Trophy when a 13-length fourth to Total Recall and could be the answer to a complex little puzzle. That performance came hard on the heels of a sequence of excellent efforts, the majority of which came on good ground, and he should take a major hand in this event if recent exertions haven’t begun to take their toll on the durable six-year-old.

ACT OF VALOUR (Best price 11-8) created an excellent impression when scoring on his British debut and he can build on that achievement here. As a classy horse purchased from the level, a switch to a sounder surface should be no issue at all for the Irish recruit who hurdled soundly at Newcastle before quickening in the style of a juvenile to follow. We Have A Dream looked a smart prospect for his top team at Warwick and looks a major threat if allowed to dictate.

SOLSTICE SON (Best price 16-1) ran a good bit better than his finishing effort suggested at Cheltenham and could well prove a tough horse to peg back here if finding a rhythm at his fences. Although eventually pulled up, the selection only gave way late on after an aggressive ride on his first start since May and he should find today’s conditions to his liking. Sego Success won this race two renewals ago and shaped as though the fire still burns with a creditable second on his comeback in a strong time at Warwick. He will enjoy the prospect of a sound surface.   

KING'S ODYSSEY (Best price 15-2) can end a frustrating sequence of near misses for trainer Evan Williams in today’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Old favourite Buywise, on numerous occasions, Barrakilla and De Faoithesdream have all hit the woodwork in recent seasons in feature contests, leaving the Welsh handler wondering if his luck will ever change at the home of jump racing.

King's Odyssey added his name to a lengthy list of misfortune when crashing out of last year's renewal mid-race when still travelling powerfully, but he rates a fair bet to make amends this afternoon.
A recent spin at Carlisle over an inadequate trip was encouraging as the gelding stuck to his task in taking fashion after understandably becoming outpaced.

Given King's Odyssey hails from a family of dour stayers, it was good to see he retains plenty of zip and his jumping, which has occasionally be called into question, stood up to scrutiny. The selection has always been viewed as a 'proper winter horse' by connections and he won't mind one bit if conditions are gruelling at Cheltenham as his ability to operate in deep ground is already confirmed.

There is no lack of pace setters here even with so few participants and COUNT MERIBEL (Best price 2-1) will be popular for a trainer who has won this race twice in the last three years with Wholestone and Blaklion. 

This year's representative has improved dramatically this term and should go well again providing he doesn't forsake his chance fighting the likes of Equus Secretus and Global Stage for the lead. 
Count Meribel struggled to see races out last term, but a summer at grass has seen him mature into a talented staying novice this season and the manner of his victory at Ascot last time suggested he hasn’t finished improving just yet. 

THE NEW ONE (Best price 5-2) boasts a magnificent record in Grade 2 events and looks a good bet to create history by completing a wonderful fourth win in this event. Winner of this race in 2013, 2014 and last season when easily accounting for My Tent Or Yours, the admirable nine-year-old was carried out on his shield in the Greatwood Hurdle when an honourable fourth under a big weight. With that race already working out well, his chance looks obvious at a track where he has won six of his 13 starts. Melon, second in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, made light work of five Down Royal rivals last month and has to be respected given the decision of his trainer to let him run.

Momella would be a major fancy for this race if the ground dries markedly, but her connections have previously been reticent about running her on a soft surface so she is reluctantly overlooked. Lady Karina, a daughter of the wonderful race-mare Lady Rebecca, looks to have been targeted at this race so is also respected, but given conditions are likely to continue to ride testing then GRACEFUL LEGEND (Best price 14-1) is taken to outrun her odds in a competitive finale. Trainer Ben Case sent out a nice winner at Doncaster yesterday and his mare was a very ready winner at Ascot in beating subsequent winner Jester Jet by a cosy five lengths. She has taken a hike in the weights for that smooth win, but the first-time cheek-pieces worked the oracle and if they have the same effect she should be on the scene again at a big price.