ITV Racing Tips: Four bets for Saturday's racing at Aintree, Wincanton and Newcastle
A stunning ten-race card will take place in front of the ITV Racing cameras on Saturday with top notch jumping action coming from Aintree and Wincanton, while Newcastle will host some competitive Flat action and we pick out our best bets for all the live action on a busy day's action on terrestrial television...
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13:50 Wincanton - Boodles 'Rising Stars' Novices' Chase
With ten wins in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase, Paul Nicholls is by far the most successful trainer in the history of the Wincanton contest and he will saddle the red-hot odds-on favourite Knappers Hill in the 2023 renewal at 13:50 on Saturday. Last seen chasing home Unexpected Party at Chepstow, the former classy hurdler will be eager to kick on from that effort, but he could be vulnerable to a fascinating Irish runner in the shape of CAPTAIN CONBY, who is an eye-catching second favourite.
Sixth in the Coral Cup at last season's Cheltenham Festival, Captain Conby made an eye-catching chasing debut at Killarney, but was no match for the classy Sharjah on his second start at Tipperary and he will be eager to improve on that effort here. Knappers Hill shaped like he could be a horse that needs three miles over fences, so Saturday's two-and-a-half miles could play in Captain Conby's favour, who has decent form in testing going and the Eamon Sheehy-trained raider can cause a shock in this event.
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14:25 Wincanton - 62nd Badger Beer Handicap Chase
Paul Nicholls can taste victory in the 62nd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at 14:25 and while all eyes will be on the mighty Frodon, who will be looking to retain the crown he won last season, the former Cheltenham Festival winner could have to play second fiddle to his stablemate THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE. Frodon will line up off the same mark as last year's success, but he may just struggle to live with the emerging staying chaser Threeunderthrufive, who can land the prize for Ditcheat.
A dual Grade 2 winner as a novice chaser, the eight-year-old may have failed to live up to expectations, but having finished a very creditable eighth in a red-hot renewal of the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham back in March he then went and finished a superb fourth in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Running off the same mark of 147 in Saturday's contest, the McNeill Family-owned raider can make the most of that figure and can duly battle past the front-running Frodon in the closing stages of this contest.
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14:45 Aintree - BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
Sent off favourite for the race 12 months ago, Gesskille was just touched off by Al Dancer and the seven-year-old is back for another crack at the Grand Sefton at 14:45, where he yet again heads the betting. Rated 8lb higher in the handicap in this year's event, he heads to Aintree on the back of a fine win at Auteuil, so everything is made for him to run a huge race again and he's certainly the one to beat in what is a race that could be devoid of significant strength in depth this year.
Venetia Williams saddled Bennys Mist to victory in this event back in 2015 and she could have a huge player in the 2023 renewal in the shape of FRERO BANBOU, who has toppled in the handicap in recent times and is now dangerously handicapped for this contest, as he tackles the Grand National fences for the first time. Rated 1lb lower than his last winning mark, Frero Banbou was last seen finishing in the mid-division in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March, but if he takes to this then he has to respected. He has winning form in heavy going, so should have no issues with conditions and he could be the value play against Gesskille, who is the right favourite.
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15:45 Newcastle - Virgin Bet November Handicap
Switched to the all-weather, the November Handicap will certainly have a new look to it for the 2023 renewal. One horse in particular jumps off the page and that is Charlie Appleby's LOCAL DYNASTY, who is the market leader at the time of writing and could be a cut above his rivals for the Newcastle contest at 15:45.
A Listed winner at Ponetfract earlier in the season, he was then a fine third in the hugely competitive Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot in June off a mark of 100. Last seen finishing fourth off 101 in a competitive Newmarket handicap, it's eye-catching that the Godolphin runner has not only been gelded, but he also steps up in trip. It will be his first time on the Tapeta, but providing he can act on those underfoot conditions then he could just have too much class for his rivals in this contest and can hand the boys a blue a notable end of season win.
