ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Selections from Sandown and Wincanton

After racing fans had their fill over the Festive period, this Saturday’s action comes at a calmer pace, though there’s still plenty to get stuck into on ITV. Sandown and Wincanton host a card full of tricky puzzles, with Billy Grimshaw picking out his two best bets from the televised races.

The 14:05 at Wincanton looks a tricky little contest on paper and although there are plenty in here with chances, I was surprised to see four year old PREMIER available to back at 9/2 in places. Warren Greatrex's juvenile has gone up 8lbs for his tight win at Taunton last time out but once again looks expertly placed in a race over a sharp two miles at a track like Wincanton on his favoured good ground.

Sam Twiston Davies is in the plate today, replacing regular rider James Bowen, but that is no bad thing in my book. Providing he is patient enough on this hold up horse, I cannot see him finishing outside of the frame. Twiston Davies, to my eye anyway, has always been a jockey more associated with bold front runners but he can get the job done on those who need to stalk and with plenty of pace on in this race, I trust him to hang fire until the opportune moment.

Olive Nicholls has been in fine form riding predominantly for father Paul recently and her mount HIM MALAYA is the one I fear most in this field. This seven year old has been running well but making costly jumping mistakes so far this season, but at a track his trainer is prolific at it'd be no surprise to see him put in a career best in the jumping department and if he does, he'll be there or thereabouts in here.

Three Pikes has been the springer in the market so far for Henry Oliver with a well regarded 7lbs claimer in Rian Corcoran taking the ride. The weight of money already down behind him and his profile, running strongly before fading over trips longer than this at tracks that are a stiffer test, does worry me but he'll have to be an out and out two miler in here to not get swept off his feet once a lot of the field - including our bet PREMIER - push the button. Were he still 8/1 I'd be tempted but at similar prices it's an easy decision for me to back the Greatrex runner.

From the sharp two-mile handicap at Wincanton, the focus then shifts south to Sandown for the 14:25, an intermediate-distance mares’ hurdle that presents a very different type of test.

Sandown is a track with no hiding place, its uphill finish finding out any suspect stayers. At this trip, there is no doubt a fit and firing NURSE SUSAN will stay no problem and at 5/2, she rates my NAP of the afternoon to upset Jubilee Alpha. Dan Skelton's mare has met plenty of issues in her career but bounced right back to win with her head in her chest at Cheltenham last time out in a race that looked ripe for the picking off her mark.

That was a plan executed to perfection, clearly, and I am taking it on trust that the Skelton team have ironed out whatever was troubling this talented but tricky mare. If they have, she can win this race again after her triumph in the 2023 renewal. Yes, that was three years ago now, but at her best she is a better horse then Jubilee Alpha for my money and she is receiving 2lbs from the favourite in here.

There is certainly more upside in the Nicholls runner given she is only seven, however I am not sure she will really see this trip out whereas I know Nurse Susan will. Skelton's runners are always worth a check in the market so if you are reading this on Saturday afternoon and she is friendless, perhaps disregard this tip, but providing she holds strong in the market - or shortens as she should on form - she rates my best chance of a winner on a low-key but hopefully profitable Saturday afternoon.

Based on the shape of the ITV card, these are the strongest angles to take into the afternoon’s racing.