ITV Racing Tips: A trio of tips across Newcastle and Wincanton

There is potential for a real washout on Saturday 6th January, with Sandown already succumbing to the elements and cancelling their card due to a waterlogged track. Wincanton insist they are confident racing can take place, despite Paul Nicholls' base a few miles away flooding, and as such that is where most attention will fall. Newcastle's AW meeting provides a decent support act, and Billy Grimshaw is on hand to provide his three best bets...

14:40 Wincanton - Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Chase

I found it incredibly hard to get away from the favourite GEORGES SAINT here for Venetia Williams and handy 5lbs claimer Ned Fox. The price of 5/2 is nothing to get excited about, however his claims look rock solid and after analysing the way the race should pan out, everything looks set up for favourite backers to be happy come the finish line. Wincanton is notoriously a speed favouring track, which wouldn't be in Georges Saint's favour, but with the ground heavy and sure to be bottomless by race time then this will be a contest all about stamina.

Venetia's lad has proved he has that in abundance, particularly last time out powering clear to win by 12 lengths over just over this distance at Fakenham. That was on heavy ground and so while I am in no doubt we will see the best of this lad when faced with three miles, 2 and a half on heavy round here should suit just fine. Huelgoat is the main market rival, and can be forgiven for flopping at Sandown last time out over three. He is back at a course and distance he has won over before, but with Georges Saint expected to make this a real test from the front I'd be worried about him lasting home.

Elsewhere in the field, Jacamar will have his supporters after his second over C&D last time out, with cheekpieces back on. He did all his best work late which will be a plus here, so perhaps he is the one to follow Georges Saint home. I'll be disappointed if the favourite doesn't win though, and this is the NAP of the day.

15:15 Wincanton - Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle

This looks all about two horses for me, both beginning with the letters IN. Firstly, Paul Nicholls sends Individualiste to his local track with 5lb claimer Freddie Gingell booked to take the ride. He could hardly have done it any better last time out at Taunton when bolting up, and just a 4lbs rise seems more than fair. However, as many others observed on the day that form may not be up to much as plenty of the main market rivals finished way out the back.

Perhaps this is a horse on a steep upward curve and he will continue to progress, but I wouldn't be keen on him giving 4lbs and a beating to INTIMATE for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch. He improved a tonne last time out to finish a close third at Uttoxeter, and this test on heavy ground looks set to suit him down to the ground. It is a stretch to say he was unlucky not to win last time out, but he did get a bit of a squeeze which must've unsettled horse and rider at a crucial stage 100 yards from the line. He looks a classic Venetia horse that will love the bog and now on a good looking mark and in handicap company, can shed his maiden tag.

Rare Clouds was another I looked at purely on breeding, as he should love the mud beneath his hooves, however he doesn't look quite of the standard of the top two and with Intimate already proven on the heavy going he is the smart play.

15:25 Newcastle - quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle

I have only gone with a solitary tip at Newcastle, which could be foolish if Wincanton fails its morning inspection with plenty of rain already on the track. The race that stands out like a sore thumb is the finale both at the track and on ITV Racing, a handicap hurdle over the intermediate trip of 2m4f. This is a seriously weak race to be being broadcast on terrestrial television, but needs must when the weather gods strike and I can't see anything in here that should be able to trouble YEALAND.

The race is full of horses who have pulled up or severely weakened last time out in grades similar to this, while this lad has been tried in much tougher races and in some cases run with credit before emptying against better rivals. My suspicion is Jennie Candish will have been delighted to see a mark of just 96 for his handicap debut and with a more enthusiastic ride - ahem - than he has had in the past here he should take all the beating.

There is nothing in this race that looks destined for better things other than the favourite, and providing the ground doesn't become a total bog (it is forecast to be dry in the North East) I think Yealand will take a decent step forward and claim this race with aplomb.