Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Best bets for Sandown and Aintree
- Planet Sport writer
- 2 December 2022
The ITV cameras are at Aintree and Sandown for Saturday's afternoon racing, and the Planet Sport tipsters have a hot selection for each of the eight live races on December 3.
There's three big races on offer with the Grade 1s Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1345) and the Tingle Creek Chase (1455) as well as the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase (1330).
First up a quick list of Saturday's selections, and you can find more detail on each of our tips further down the page.
You can keep up with all the results, odds and racecards in the Planet Sport racing live centre.
Selections:
13:30 (Aintree) Sounds Russian
13:45 (Sandown) Jonbon
14:05 (Aintree) Five Star Getaway
14:20 (Sandown) Love Envoi
14:40 (Aintree) Riders Onthe Storm
14:55 (Sandown) Greaneteen
15:15 (Aintree) Sizing Pottsie
15:30 (Sandown) Revels Hill
13:30 (Aintree) Sounds Russian
Class is also to the fore at Aintree, where the Boylesports Many Clouds Chase features Grade One winners in Ahoy Senor and Chantry House, plus the Grand National hero Noble Yeats.
Ruth Jefferson's Sounds Russian come in with a much lower profile having done all his racing round the smaller tracks, but he can put up a good showing on what is a big leap in class.
Winner of four of his six chasing starts, Sounds Russian really impressed with a cosy defeat of Aye Right on his first attempt at three and a quarter miles on his seasonal bow at Kelso.
The seven-year-old will have to step up on previous form in this Grade Two heat, but the conditions of the race give him a more than a squeak on the ratings.
13:45 (Sandown) Jonbon
Jonbon should ensure the Nicky Henderson team goes home with a Grade One prize as he can justify skinny odds in the Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase.
The only defeat of his seven-race career came at the hands of Henderson's exceptional hurdler Constitution Hill last year and it made sense to switch Douvan's full-brother to the chasing sphere this term.
Jonbon duly made a perfect debut at Warwick last month, making all for an effortless seven-length verdict over Monmiral, with his jumping already looking pretty slick.
14:05 (Aintree) Five Star Getaway
Five Star Getaway caught the eye on his first run of the season, staying on to take fourth over an extended two and a half miles at Bangor.
He switches up in trip to three and a quarter miles for the first time as he tackles the National fences in the Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase.
Christian Williams' charge has previous experience of the obstacles having run down the field in the Topham last term and his current rating of 132 ensures a handy weight for this contest.
14:20 (Sandown) Love Envoi
Love Envoi makes her seasonal reappearance after landing the spoils on five of her six outings last term.
The Harry Fry-trained mare gave a good account when second in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse last time out and she demands the utmost respect dropping into handicap company.
Nayati, who recorded a career-best effort at Bangor last month, should also be considered.
The eight-year-old kept on well to score that day and he may be able to defy a 6lb penalty. Homme Public is another to consider.
14:40 (Aintree) Riders Onthe Storm
Riders Onthe Storm beat a pair of subsequent winners in the Old Roan over course-and-distance last time out.
A 2lb rise in the ratings would appear to be lenient and Richard Hobson's charge remains well treated on previous form.
Clan Legend has landed the last two renewals of this contest, the latest from 3lb higher when beating Riders Onthe Storm, and he demands the utmost respect in his hat-trick bid.
Others of interest include Gunsight Ridge, Empire Steel and Kiltealy Briggs.
14:55 (Sandown) Greaneteen
Sandown's Betfair Tingle Creek Chase is light on numbers but heavy on quality, in what is a truly fascinating renewal this year.
Shishkin, Edwardstone and Gentleman De Mee all bring Grade One form to the table, but preference is for defending champion Greaneteen who saves his very best for the Esher venue.
Paul Nicholls' charge has won three of his four starts over course and distance, with only former stablemate Politologue able to beat him so far, and he has certainly proved he is firing on all cylinders already this time after hacking up in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.
He gave weight and a comprehensive beating to his rivals last month and while they were not the calibre of this opposition, Greanteen was far from all out in victory and can be expected to improve a notch or two from the outing.
Greaneteen has to reverse a 10-length defeat at the hands of Shishkin last Christmas and had the latter not endured a disappointing end to last season with a well-publicised bone issue, he would be almost unopposable here - but with that slight niggle of doubt following such a blip, Greaneteen may be the safer choice.
15:15 (Aintree) Sizing Pottsie
Langer Dan made a pleasing reappearance in a warm contest last month and he can be expected to mount a serious challenge under top-weight, but preference is for Sizing Pottsie.
The son of Kapgarde made his name as a chaser but he's run to a high level over hurdles on both starts for the David Pipe team, and the return to further looks an added bonus this afternoon.
Harbour Lake posted a creditable effort when third in the Greatwood last time and the unexposed six-year-old could have more to offer.
15:30 (Sandown) Revels Hill
Deise Aba was tried over timber on his seasonal appearance last month and a return to fences can see him get closer into contention.
However, he could struggle off top weight and it is easier to side with the consistent Revells Hill, who returned from a break to record a pleasing second at Ascot over 2m5f.
It is likely there is more to come from him stepping up in trip, while the booking of Harry Cobden for Eclair De Guye catches the eye and he completes the shortlist.
