Horse Racing Most Backed Bets & Predictions: Ginger Joe Reviews the Weekend's Most Popular Horses

Every weekend, punters lock onto a handful of horses that dominate the betting markets, some for good reason, others perhaps less so.

In this article, I’m breaking down the five most heavily backed runners across the weekend’s racing, giving you my honest take on whether each one deserves its favourite status or if the smart play might be to look elsewhere.

From standout form to hidden red flags, here’s where the money is going and whether you should be following it!

DOYEN QUEST - 14:20 Sandown - Grade 2 Esher Novices’ Chase

The first horse we’ll take a look at is Doyen Quest, who lines up in the Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown. It’s only a four-runner race, and you can make a case for each of them, but Doyen Quest looks the most likely winner on all known form.

Last time out, he comfortably beat the re-opposing Quebecois by ten lengths while conceding 5lb, and this time he only gives away 3lb so at the weights, he should be confirming that form. Laurens Bay is a talented gelding, but is currently 9lb lower on the ratings, meaning he needs to find significant improvement.

Salver may pose the biggest threat, but he is very ground dependent and really needs soft conditions, which are far from guaranteed. Doyen Quest, by contrast, has been steadily progressive over fences and stepped forward again when upped to three miles last time out. If he reproduces that performance, he will be very difficult to beat.

He travels strongly, jumps soundly, and has a turn of foot for a stayer, so it’s easy to see why he’s been so well supported. He ticks all the boxes in this Grade 2 and sets a high standard for the rest to match.

IL ETAIT TEMPS - 15:00 Sandown - Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek

The highlight of the weekend is the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase, and Il Etait Temps has been a very well-backed favourite, now hovering around odds-on to get the job done.

He faces two main rivals in L’eau Du Sud and Jonbon, but for me, Il Etait Temps sets a clear standard and will take a lot of beating.

When he and Jonbon met at Sandown last season, Il Etait Temps absolutely dismantled him and that performance came off the back of more than 300 days off the track.

Since then, Jonbon has been underwhelming, while L’eau Du Sud still has something to prove at this level. By contrast, Il Etait Temps has done nothing but improve.

He has won four of his last five starts, including an impressive seasonal debut, and looks set to progress again with that run under his belt.

Sandown suits him perfectly, and he arrives with far fewer questions to answer than his rivals and potentially still improving.

Even a rejuvenated Jonbon would need to find plenty to get on terms. As things stand, Il Etait Temps looks the class act in the field and the one they all have to beat.

MR VANGO - 14:40 Aintree - Becher Handicap Chase

Mr Vango has been an absolute pleasure for connections especially over these staying trips, and he has the favourite price tag for this weekends Becher handicap chase. He comes into the race having won his last three starts, the last two of which had Jack Tudor in the saddle and he gets the ride this weekend too.

He clearly gets on well with this gelding and he has an obvious chance on recent form however, his handicap mark has climbed all the way up to 153 and I think that may catch up with him here. His record fresh is solid enough so that isn’t really a concern, but he comes

up against a bunch of strong stayers here and I think Mr Vango will have a big task if he is to win off top weight. His jumping is sound, and tactically there will be no issues either, but looking at the field, you can’t say he is thrown in off this mark and I would suggest this is one of his hardest tasks, if not the hardest task to date.

He is a turning 10 at the end of the month too so improvement seems unlikely, and for all of his consistency and staying prowess, I think he is up against it here with plenty of runners looking much better handicapped than him this weekend.

LULAMBA - 13:50 Sandown - Grade 1 Henry VII Novices Chase

Lulamba takes on just three rivals in the Henry VII Novice Chase and this will be a real test for the Nicky Henderson charge.

He has always been highly thought of ever since finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle last season, and he did get redemption by winning the Juvenile race at Punchestown a month later. So far so good in his chase campaign too, as he won at Exeter with minimal fuss, and clearly has a fair level of ability.

For all that, this is no easy task as he faces Welsh Champion Hurdler Lump Sum, who was himself devastatingly good on chase debut. He was a complete natural on his first start over fences and was given an official rating of 146, and that’s a mark that looks likely to rise as he goes through his campaign.

Be Aware was second to July Flower in the Arkle trial at Cheltenham, and that was a good run too.

So although Lulamba is a 4/6 shot to win this weekend, he will have to be in tip top shape and improving to beat his more experienced rivals.

This is the weekend we will find out how good he is, but on the face of it, the 4/6 price tag does feel a little on the short side. This is no freebie!

DJELO - 15:00 Huntingdon - Grade 2 Peterborough Chase

It has to be acknowledged that Djelo was a very impressive winner of the Charlie Hall Chase on his seasonal return, and it did look like a step forward from what we saw last term.

He won this race last year when beating Protektorat, but it’s also fair to say he was fully wound up on that occasion, and this year’s renewal may not be as straightforward. Although he could still be improving, I do think he faces a significant threat this time from Willie Mullins’ Saint Sam.

He’s a reliable Grade 2 and Grade 3 performer who should be well suited by Huntingdon, and the fact Mullins is prepared to send him over is a strong signal that he’s expected to run a big race.

For that reason, the current 4/6 about Djelo feels short. While Venetia Williams’ stable form may not be a huge concern, especially with big names like Royal Pagaille running well.

What does bother me is Djelo’s current mark of 163, which looks lofty relative to what he has achieved so far. Yes, he may still improve and he may well go on to win but at the prices, he doesn’t appeal from a betting perspective.

He needs to step forward again, and at 4/6, there’s very little margin for error. For me, he’s one to swerve at the price rather than take on trust.