Horse racing tips: Cheltenham and Doncaster on ITV4 – Matt Chapman’s top betting preview for Saturday, January 27
Get all the info to bash the bookies as ITV's Matt Chapman runs you through a busy Saturday
A significant day for Cheltenham Festival clues with trials at the track on ITV as well as a cracking meeting at Doncaster.
It will be hard for this column to match last weekend, when it found five out of the seven TV race winners. But I'll be doing my best to give Sun Bets another miserable Saturday.
I'll be at Cheltenham for ITV, and the first race shown is the 1.50pm, a Grade 3 handicap chase over an extended 2m4f.
BALLYHILL is up 5lb for a recent win, but as a young improver who stays well and goes in testing ground there is every chance of another good effort for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
The 2.25pm is the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase, which is best known as a Gold Cup trial. BRISTOL DE MAI is the class act in the conditions and could be another for Twiston-Davies.
Doncaster 2.05 - Station Master: 'Full of stamina and loves the mud'
Cheltenham 2.25 - Bristol De Mai: 'The class act in the conditions'
Doncaster 2.40 - Maria's Benefit: 'She looked really good last time and is improving fast'
Cheltenham 3.00 - Pacific De Baune: 'Nicky Henderson's hope could be anything and trip should suit'
Doncaster 3.15 - Coologue: 'He was 2lb higher when second in this race two years ago'
Cheltenham 3.35 - Agrapart: 'Has a bit to do at the weights but goes well at this track'
It's the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at 3.35pm, and leading Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle hopes Wholestone, Beer Goggles and Finian's Oscar all have claims.
However, despite having a bit to do at the weights I think the near 3m event can go to AGRAPART and Lizzie Kelly. My hope runs well at this track and is fairly priced.
ITV's Doncaster coverage starts at 2.05pm with the Grade 2 River Don over an extended 3m. Stamina will be everything here, and the improving STATION MASTER could be a big winner for Kim Bailey. He loves the mud and stays forever. Just have to hope he's good enough.
It's the Grade 2 Yorkshire Hurdle over an extended 2m at 2.40pm, and MARIA'S BENEFIT is the one to beat for Stuart Edmunds. She looked really good last time at Taunton and is improving fast.
ITV also show the big betting handicap chase at 3.15pm over nearly 3m. Davy Russell is a great booking for L'Ami Serge, but I reckon he's a better hurdler than chaser.
Have a few quid each-way on COOLOGUE, who was 2lb higher when second in this race two years ago. He's lost his form, but if he's ever going to get it back it might be here.
So best of luck and hope for some more Yeeehaaas. You Betcha!