Horse racing tips: Cheltenham and Doncaster on ITV4 – Matt Chapman’s top betting preview for Saturday, December 16
Get all the info to bash the bookies as ITV's Matt Chapman runs you through a busy Saturday
CHELTENHAM is the main meeting once again Saturday on ITV with a splash of Doncaster to keep us all entertained. As a result there are plenty of TV betting opportunities this weekend.
I've had a miserable last two weeks on the tipping front, but I never worry about a small losing run. You just know the winners will be back again any minute. You have to play the long game.
So let's get into the Saturday action, and the 1.55pm at Cheltenham is the big betting race, namely the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup over an extended 2m4f.
STARCHITECT is up 4lb for his defeat by Splash of Ginge last time, but he's improving fast for David Pipe and is only a six-year-old. He might prove good enough for Tom Scudamore. A good each-way chance.
The 2.30pm at Cheltenham is a Grade 2 novices' hurdle over nearly 3m. EQUUS SECRETUS looks promising for Ben Pauling and gets a useful few pounds from Count Meribel who steps up in distance. That may make the difference in a tight heat.
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It's the Grade 2 International Hurdle over an extended 2m at 3.05pm, and no doubt Melon is the young pretender. He wasn't hugely impressive on the comeback, however, and THE NEW ONE remains a strong force with a high rating at the age of nine. This should be perfect for him and he can score under the returning Sam Twiston-Davies.
Finally at Cheltenham ITV show a mares' handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f at 3.40pm. Not easy to call, but I will have a few quid each-way on DEAUVILLE CRYSTAL, who probably didn't quite see out 3m last time. Nigel Hawke's youngster was in good form prior to that effort.
Matt Chapman's TV Tips
Cheltenham 1.55 - Starchitect: 'Still improving fast for David Pipe'
Doncaster 2.10 - Braqueur D'Or: 'Experience will count for plenty and has help of top class Bryony Frost'
Cheltenham 2.30 - Equus Secretus: 'Looks useful for Ben Pauling'
Doncaster 2.45 - Act Of Valour: 'Paul Nicholls looks to have quite a promising juvenile'
Cheltenham 3.05 - The New One: 'Remains a strong force at the age of nine'
Doncaster 3.20 - Sego Success: 'Often struggles to win but likes it around here'
Cheltenham 3.40 - Deauville Crystal: 'Probably didn't see out three miles last year is in good form otherwise'
Over at Doncaster ITV show the 2.10pm, a Grade 2 novices' chase over nearly 3m. BRAQUEUR D'OR looked as though he might be a summer horse, but he ran really well in the Hennessy last time and his experience will count for much under the top class Bryony Frost for former champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
It's the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle over an extended 2m at 2,45pm, and the one to be on here is ACT OF VALOUR, another for Nicholls who looks very promising. It's a big and rare ride for the stable for Adrian Heskin.
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Finally the 3.20pm at Doncaster is a handicap chase over nearly 3m, and I will back SEGO SUCCESS for Alan King. The selection does not win very often, but likes this track and is a strong stayer.
So best of luck and let's hope for some Yeeehaaas. You Betcha!