Saturday's ITV Racing Tips & Preview

With a record of 6-14 right handed, POKER SCHOOL (Best price 6-1) makes much more appeal now he returns to one of his favoured venues. The selection bolted up in this event 12 months ago in the hands of a conditional rider and his trainer has followed the same path by booking the excellent Mitchell Bastyan. Although Poker School was an early casualty at Doncaster last week (now 0-15 left handed), I doubt he would be allowed to contest this race again had he showed any ill effects and hopefully he can get his career back on track.

Incredibly, just five line up for a reasonable prize here and it looks a good opportunity for the progressive LIMITED RESERVE (Best price 5-6) to continue on an upward curve. The selection turned a similar handicap into a rout here last month and looks to have a bright chance of following up under an 8lb rise. 
James Bowen really seemed to click with the selection which has often travelled strongly without necessarily delivering at the business end. That was far from the case last time and he can take account of Zalvados and Kk Lexion.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (Best price 2-1) has been a very consistent horse in recent seasons so it is perhaps fair to forgive him a short-price defeat at Newbury last time. Beer Goggles, the surprise 40-1 scorer that day, was given a fine tactical ride from the front and, although the selection had every chance to get by his conqueror in the straight, he couldn’t manage it. Admittedly, there is an air of vulnerability surrounding Unowhatimeanharry these days, but last year’s winner of this race thumped Lil Rockerfeller by upwards of four lengths 12 months ago and, although beaten at the Cheltenham Festival by Nicholls Canyon, the selection enjoyed revenge at Punchestown and remains a high-class stayer on his day.

THREE FACES WEST (Best price 3-1) requires attritional conditions and a flat, galloping track to display his best form and he looks to have those criteria in his favour this afternoon.
A severe test of stamina brings out the best in the nine-year-old who acquitted himself well at Cheltenham on his return at a track which wouldn’t necessarily play to his strengths.

Three Faces West doesn’t boast a particularly great record fresh either so, in the circumstances, it was a fine performance and I expect him to be a good deal sharper for a return to one of his favoured venues this afternoon. He must shoulder top weight in today’s Haydock feature, but he is a class animal when on song and it will be disappointing if he doesn’t make the most of his favoured conditions.

Backing REGAL ENCORE (Best price 14-1) is not for the faint hearted but he is very capable when the mood strikes as it did in this race 12 months ago when he sprung a 20-1 surprise. Singlefarmpayment and Go Conquer are likely to dominate the market and the former looked to hold at least a frame chance before coming down three out at Newbury behind Regal Encore. However, both are priced accordingly and there was plenty to take from Regal Encore’s Newbury performance and he could have been underestimated by the layers. He isn’t the type of horse to back at a thin price but there does at least look some chicken on the bone today. 

Nicky Henderson holds a strong hand with the well-fancied Charli Parcs and progressive mare VERDANA BLUE (Best price 10-1) in this festive finale and marginal preference is for the latter who was nearly knocked over by a rival early on before winning a competitive course and distance handicap in fine style here last time. The selection has always been well thought of at Seven Barrows and she travelled like a dream before displaying a smart turn of foot to account for some in-form rivals. The Henderson operation was again among the winners at the track yesterday and he holds a very strong hand here.

CHESTERFIELD (Best price 33-1) didn’t cut much ice on his comeback but I have a feeling his connections were always eying a repeat tilt at this race. An early error 12 months ago left him with a mountain to climb in last year’s renewal and, in the circumstances, he did exceptionally well to finish a staying-on eighth. With enhanced place terms offered by some layers, I am willing to take a chance on him stepping up markedly from that subdued comeback in the Greatwood Hurdle.