ITV Racing Tips: Big guns take aim at juicy Saturday prizes

A day of contrasts in the racing world, with the Breeders’ Cup catching the eye over in Del Mar on the level; but there’s no doubting that the National Hunt season is well and truly up and running with some superb winter-game activity on our ITV screens this Saturday, November 2. 

TEN live contests, including Wetherby’s standout Charlie Hall Chase, we take in Ascot too, plus a Grade 1 from Down Royal. The excitement kicks in at 13:15, and it’s sure to be electric. 

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

Full ITV schedule;

Wetherby 

13:15 THE BET BOOST AT BET365 HANDICAP CHASE 2m 3 1/2 f 

13:50 THE BET365 MARES' HURDLE (LISTED) 2m 

14:22 THE BET365 HURDLE (GRADE 2) 3m 

14:58 THE BET365 CHARLIE HALL CHASE (GRADE 2) 3m  

15:30 THE NEVER ORDINARY AT BET365 HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 

Ascot 

13:30 THE ASCOT UNDERWRITING NOVICES LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE 2m 3f 

14:05 THE BYRNE GROUP HANDICAP CHASE 2m 1f 

15:15 THE LAVAZZA HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 

15:45 THE SODEXO LIVE! GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE 3m 

Down Royal 

14:40 THE LADBROKES CHAMPION CHASE (GRADE 1) 3m 

Rationale;

13:15 Wetherby - King's Threshold @ 7/2

Jockey Tom Bellamy is usually on board, but he's doing his thing at Ascot. As substitutes go, champion Harry Cobden is right up there and Emma Lavelle's seven-year-old, after appearing not to stay at Kempton over 3m when last seen in April, should find this shorter trip much more to his liking.

The gelded son of star stayer Yeats had a breakthrough season last term, with a career-high win at Ascot immediately prior to that disappointment in Sunbury-on-Thames.

This is a stiff task for King's Threshold but he should be coming to the peak of his powers right now, and the engagement of Harry inspires plenty of confidence.

13:30 Ascot - Bhaloo @ 5/2

I need no second invitation to recommend a Nicky Henderson novice on chasing debut, especially one thought capable of mixing it at a Grade 1 venue like Ascot against Nicholls, Pauling and company.

Bhaloo doesn't boast the best hurdling record among these novices, but he was very respectable and progressive. When last seen in May the six-year-old gelding was a good second at Warwick in a Class 3 handicap, and given his Seven Barrows address it wouldn't be a great surprise if he's schooled well prior to this seasonal reappearance.

He gets 10lb from Samarrive, who's already seen a fence, and that could be key. Smashing little heat, showcasing hopefully some chasing talent to come.

13:50 Wetherby - Take No Chances @ 4/1

A very warm-looking contest, with Luccia from the Henderson yard looking nailed-on for favouritism. However, I'm going for a Team Skelton conveyance that has had the benefit of a satisfactory reappearance run three weeks ago, and looks poised to break through at this Listed level.

Take No Chances is a six-year-old mare by Milan. That returning spin at Chepstow was against the boys too over slightly longer, and she was only less than 6l down at the finish, hunting a pot of nearly £40k.

She was claimer-ridden, and with the brilliant Harry Skelton back in the plate I think she can serve up a world of trouble to the likely hot-pot, getting a useful 4lb.

Trainer Dan is operating at a 29% success rate over the past fortnight, and brother Harry is even hotter right now (34%). We might be about to see exactly why.

14:05 Ascot - Saint Segal @ 5/1

Around this time last season, at this very venue, Saint Segal was chasing Boothill and others around in some exciting handicaps. He's been lightly-raced since, has had further wind surgery, and at still only six years of age rather looks to get his career back on track.

Three weeks ago at Chepstow he reappeared, running a nice race without getting seriously competitive (beaten 17l). I'd like to think that was a good pipe-opener for this, and the handicapper has done his bit too, dropping the gelding's mark by 2lb.

He's shown a distinct touch of class in previous spins and let's hope his best days are still ahead of him. Another superb race, and what a pot - some £56k to the winner.

14:22 Wetherby - Kateira @ 11/4

I'm unashamedly in Skelton country again, with this improving seven-year-old staying hurdler.

Kateira last appeared at Aintree in the spring, running a career-best blinder to take a Grade 3 at two-and-a-half-miles (£42k to the winner). The seven-year-old daughter of Kayf Tara ran in the Listed race on this card last year but faded, surely failing to show her true colours.

That was over a bare 2m, and around half-a-mile further appears to suit very nicely. She looks a lovely type to have for these mares' contests, and with the yard in flying form as already mentioned, she's got a terrific chance in my book.

14:40 Down Royal - Gerri Colombe @ 8/11

My selection Gerri Colombe took this by a neck last term from Envoi Allen, both go well here, and they re-oppose. Throw in King George hero Hewick, and we have a horserace on our hands for a very serious first prize (around 88,000 euros).

'Gerri' went on to bomb in the Savills at Leopardstown at Xmas, ran a corker in the Cheltenham Gold Cup beaten only 3.5l to Galopin Des Champs, and wound up by taking the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree. Lightly-campaigned then, but a very talented eight-year-old gelding nevertheless.

We know he goes well fresh, making a lovely habit of winning after a lay-off, and on official ratings it's very much his to lose. Won't be too generous market-wise but I'll be putting him in some accas. Gordon Elliott trains, and Sam Ewing rides.

14:58 Wetherby - Conflated @ 3/1

Another Elliott charge, raiding West Yorkshire this time, in Wetherby's showpiece Charlie Hall Chase.

We've had some special winners of this down the years, including the likes of Bristol De Mai, Silviniaco Conti, Cue Card, See More Business and One Man - to name but a few. Go back a bit further and we're in Wayward Lad territory. Burrough Hill Lad, too, and Forgive 'n Forget. 24 carat, Cheltenham Gold Cup world-beaters.

P Nicholls' Bravemansgame looks to take this again, as he did in 2022, and will probably start favourite. One with a touch of class that might run well at a bigger price however is my selection Conflated.

The ten-year-old gelded son of Yeats reappeared a couple of weeks ago at Punchestown but didn't get very far - making a hash of the first and unseating Jack Kennedy. He's better judged on clashes with the likes of Jonbon and Gerri Colombe, and the former Grade One-winning Gigginstown representative retains plenty of ability, which I hope we see to good effect on Saturday afternoon.

15:15 Ascot - Break My Soul @ 7/1

We're going to the Henderson/De Boinville well, and a promising young five-year-old mare hoping to start climbing the handicap ladder.

Break My Soul is by smart King George scorer Doyen, out of a Presenting mare - quite beautifully bred. She's not been seen since sluicing up in a little Fontwell novice in May, and interestingly has an entry into the Greatwood at Cheltenham in a fortnight.

Nice price, top connections, bags of potential.

15:32 Wetherby - Goblet Of Fire @ 3/1

The excellent James Bowen is in the saddle on another lively N Henderson chance - this time the four-year-old handicap hurdler Goblet Of Fire.

This one's been pretty busy all year with successful flat assignments thrown in, so fitness is no issue - and nether is form, having won at Southwell off a 6lb lower mark just 10 days ago.

Gets a nice chunk of weight from likely main rivals Williethebuilder and Spirit Bay - can the gelded son of Saxon Warrior make it count?

15:45 Ascot - Our Power @ 11/2

Trainer Sam Thomas started the season strongly but things have quietened down a little. His nine-year-old gelding Our Power has been very highly-tried of late, and that trend continues here in this red-hot £56k-to-the-winner handicap.

Our Power runs in the familiar Walters Plant Hire colours, and is a course-and-distance scorer. He took a Kempton Grade 3 in Feb 2023 off 141, and is just 2lb higher today. He hasn't seen a racecourse though for 336 days, and I'm taking a chance he's back in the kind of form that prompted a tilt at the Grand National 18 months ago.

Small stakes for me, but I like Denman's former Gold Cup-winning pilot in training terms, and at nine years of age I'm hoping that Our Power remains very much a player.

You'll note that several selections could well lend themselves to an each-way play, so kindly bear that in mind if it's of interest. All the place details for the day's racing, including our extra place offers, can be found right here.

Enjoy what I'm sure will be a brilliant afternoon's sport, take care as always, and have fun.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.

Small personal note, if you'll kindly indulge me.

News filtered through on Friday that the magnificent wordsmith Alastair Down had sadly passed away. For those of us inspired by his love for the game, and the compelling, quite beautiful way he expressed that devotion, it's difficult news to process but I'd like to pay my own little tribute to someone who could articulate perfectly what he felt, rather than merely thought.

Rest well, Sir.