ITV Racing Tips: Fighting Fifth is my Saturday highlight – what’s yours?

If you're a racing fan who detests winter's gloom and dark nights, these ITV Saturdays are a godsend. Pretty much every week you can tick off another big event that brings us closer to longer days and lighter loads.

Today, November 30, we not only say fare thee well to another month on the countdown, but hello to the likes of the Fighting Fifth, the Gerry Fielden, and the old Hennessy Gold Cup. Fabulous, historic contests, to warm the heart. Here's Saturday's ITV Racing tips - good luck if you're having a pop, and enjoy what should be a brilliant afternoon's sport.

Horse Racing Odds

Full ITV schedule;

Newbury
13:54 Coral Handicap Hurdle - 2m 4f
14:25 Gerry Fielden Intermediate Hurdle - Handicap - 2m 1/2f
15:00 Coral Gold Cup - Handicap Chase - Grade 3 - 3m 2f
15:35 Coral Handicap Chase - 2m 1/2f

Newcastle
14:10 Bet MGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Grade 1 - 2m
15:20 Bet MGM Rehearsal Chase - Handicap Chase - Grade 3 - 2m 7 1/2f

Rationale;

Today's Horse Races

13:54 Newbury - Anyharminasking each-way @ 8/1

Notable owner JP McManus has got multiple entries on this card, and though I've not plumped for any of his charges in the TV races, I feel it's a very skinny price for him to leave Berkshire empty-handed.

Anyway - we're paying four places here, so I'm taking advantage of that. JP, Nicky Henderson and James Bowen provide the likely favourite in Impose Toi, but I'm heading for Gloucestershire, and the O'Neill family base at Jackdaws Castle, for my idea of the winner.

Anyharminasking runs in the colours of Mrs Gay Smith, who's had some real good 'uns over the years (Black Jack Ketchum, Holywell, Springwell Bay, etc). This seven-year-old is rated 135 and has two hurdling successes to his name. More intriguingly, he narrowly defeated Constitution Hill on debut in a PTP in early 2021.

He reappeared highly respectably 36 days ago at Cheltenham (beaten 3l) and ran well at this meeting last term. Should be at his physical peak right now, seven rising eight, and appeals greatly especially with that each-way factor built in.

14:10 Newcastle - Mystical Power @ 5/4

The Fighting Fifth - and for those of us that remember with the greatest affection the likes of Sea Pigeon and Harchibald, it's a thrilling prospect, as always.

No Constitution Hill, sadly, but his stablemate Sir Gino will be hard to beat. Hopefully Willie Mullins hasn't read that particular script and can prevail with the equally promising and talented Mystical Power.

This is fairy-tale stuff, but his parents are Galileo and Annie Power. Honestly, if this one couldn't go a bit you'd be looking to give the game up for good. Willie's five-year-old has a year on 'Gino' in terms of experience and physical development, and that could well be a factor.

Mystical Power signed off on his novice year with two Grade 1 wins, and had finished second in the Supreme at the Festival. 'Gino' meanwhile took the Triumph Hurdle in scintillating fashion at the same meeting, and followed-up at Aintree.

It's one to savour all right, and though Sir Gino is clearly preferred in the Champion Hurdle betting, I'm hoping the McManus/Ricci/Magnier-owned raider can prevail.

14:25 Newbury - Liari each-way @ 11/2

Could just be time for another legend to strike, in the shape of Paul Nicholls. His four-year-old Cracksman gelding Liari has a bright and obvious chance, and we're going to use those four places each-way once again.

Harry Cobden rides, and on reappearance 49 days ago at Chepstow the cobwebs were banished with a keeping-on third (beaten just over 9l). Should be cherry-ripe for this, and what a good-looking heat it is.

The French-bred won three times last campaign, is lightly-raced, and could be very promising indeed.

15:00 Newbury - Senior Chief each-way @ 6/1

Any race where the list of previous winners includes the likes of Arkle and Denman deserves the very greatest respect.

The 2024 renewal doesn't quite have a vintage look about it to me but ultra-competitive it certainly should be.

I'm going each-way (four places again) with the great Henry De Bromhead's Senior Chief, fine winner of a £50k pot at Cheltenham five weeks ago. This is an improving seven-year-old gelding in the care of a master, and the gifted Darragh O'Keefe, on board at Prestbury Park, retains the mount.

He's been substituting for the outstanding Rachael Blackmore, sidelined since late September with a neck injury. She's hoping to be back in time for the busy Xmas programme.

He's got 11st 11lb to cart around but it's a fairly condensed handicap, with all but two of the field carrying in excess of 11st 3lb.

15:20 Newcastle - Bowtogreatness @ 11/2

We're paying four places, and as I write it's just about a typical each-way scenario, so I'll leave that choice with you.

Bowtogreatness is with the progressive yard of Ben Pauling, in Naunton Downs near Cheltenham. The eight-year-old Westerner gelding won a good novice at Newbury just over three weeks ago, and bids to make light of a 4lb hike.

That was a big run, up there with anything he's done previously, and as he made all and jumped well on the prevailing good ground I wonder if similar tactics could be employed on this similarly flat, left-hand, galloping track - with the going likely to be on the 'good' side once again?

Kielan Woods, who knows the horse well, is doing the steering.

15:35 Newbury - Issar D'Airy @ 9/2

(free bet if your horse is second offer - details here)

Gary and Josh Moore are enjoying a decent season and challenge for this handy pot with a six-year-old gelded son of the mighty Derby and Arc-winning hero Sinndar.

Issar D'Airy ran a stormer at Ascot four weeks ago with a close second to Martator, who has since absolutely hosed up in a £50k contest on the same track. Solid form then - and at further grade one venues like this, too, where he's a course and distance scorer.

He's entered up in a good 'chase at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks and with nine places in 16 runs under rules, including four wins, this is a talented and promising individual.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.