Saturday Racing Tips: Mullins to strike gold at Sandown

A super Saturday awaits on the racing front, with Sandown's Jumps Finale - and the conclusion of the race for the Jump Trainers' Championship - joined by six meetings on the Flat.

I've studied the cards and landed on four Saturday racing tips - including two for title-chasing Willie Mullins, who unfortunately for rival Dan Skelton I see having a great day in Surrey.

14:25 Sandown - Gaelic Warrior @ 5/4

I appreciate he's never been easy to trust, but GAELIC WARRIOR ought to take plenty of beating in the G2 Oaskey Chase.

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old struggled at the start of the season over the minimum trip, but bounced right back to his best to win the Aintree Bowl earlier this month under Grand National-winning jockey Patrick Mullins.

That was just his second try over three miles or further and he relished it, beating Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning by three widening lengths.

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I've thought the son of Maxios was a stayer ever since his 10-length victory over hurdles at the 2023 Punchestown Festival, and finally it seems like connections are giving him the opportunity to be exactly that.

If the same Gaelic Warrior that won on Merseyside shows up here, I make him around a 4/6 shot under stable jockey Paul Townend.

His main rival is a 10-year-old Pic D'orhy, who disappointed on his previous visit to Sandown and excels on flat tracks. This is also the longest trip he's tried to date. Otherwise, it's the likes of Gentleman De Mee, Hitman and Boombawn standing in his way.

It'll be bitterly-disappointing if he can't put away these. He's my Nap of the Day.

15:55 Navan - Ecstatic @ 9/2

An hour-and-a-half later, I've got a Flat interest in the form of ECSTATIC for Aidan O'Brien at Navan.

At time of publication, the traders are favouring potential over proven form, with the once-raced Catalina Delcarpio and Tarima, who impressed on their respective debuts, leading the way as they step straight into Group 3 company.

I have respect for them both, but I'm siding with the experience of the 100-rated selection.

She showed a fair level as a juvenile and appears to have trained on going off her staying-on second at this level at the Curragh exactly a fortnight ago.

The Japanese-bred filly was doing all her best work at the finish in County Kildare, suggesting Saturday's step up to 1m2f will bring out further improvement.

Ryan Moore returning to the plate is another positive, so there's plenty to like about her chances at generous odds.

16:10 Sandown - Dancing City @ 13/2

The big race of the day is the Sandown Gold Cup - a Premier Handicap over an extended 3m4f worth £175k in total.

Willie Mullins saddles 10 of the 20 runners as he bids to beat Dan Skelton to the UK Jump Trainers' Championship and the pick of those, at least on jockey bookings, is High Class Hero.

I've long been a fan of his, but I prefer DANCING CITY here.

Of course, it's a bit of a concern Paul Townend deserts him, but he doesn't always get it right and Betfred ambassador Jonjo O'Neill Jr. is a fine deputy.

The eight-year-old gelding won three Grade 1s last season and started his chasing career this term with a double - including Grade 3 honours at Naas at the start of the year.

He disappointed in the Brown Advisory at last month's Cheltenham Festival having made a bad mistake three out, but looked to be in the process of bouncing back before departing at the 14th fence in the G1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree's Grand National Meeting three weeks ago.

I was very pleased with how he was travelling up until that point, suggesting he was none-the-worse for his mishap at Prestbury Park. Hopefully that's the case again here.

I think he'll love the extra emphasis on stamina and if his jumping can hold up, I think he's got a favourite's chance.

16:55 Haydock - Cajole @ 11/4

Finally, it's back to the Flat as I put my faith in CAJOLE for the Gosdens in this fillies' novice at Haydock.

The three-year-old daughter of Dubawi caught the eye on her debut at Newbury a fortnight ago, breaking slowly before making good headway from out the back in the final few furlongs, not being knocked about when victory was out of the question.

That looked a decent contest to me and I expect a much-improved performance out of the selection, who should have no problems stepping up to a mile.

Her main dangers - namely Silver Chamber, Blue Wonder and Starlit Spice - are all returning from lengthy layoffs and that fitness advantage Cajole boasts will hopefully be the difference between winning and losing.

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