ITV Racing Tips: Evidence to destroy his Donny rivals

One of those standout, high-quality Saturdays in front of the ITV cameras awaits - with fabulous action from Cheltenham and Doncaster.

EIGHT races including six Graded events, taking in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase, and Nicky Henderson's star fencer Jonbon.

It's one of those mouth-watering staging posts on the way to the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Couple of good winners in last week's piece, so fingers crossed once more for Saturday afternoon.

Here's the menu: Sat, Jan 27th 2024

Cheltenham

13:15 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Class 1) (2m 4½f)

13:50 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (3m 1½f)

14:25 Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (2m ½f)

15:00 Unibet Hurdle (Registered As The International Hurdle) (Grade 2) (2m 1f)

15:35 Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (3m)

Doncaster

14:05 Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m ½f)

14:40 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (3m ½f)

15:15 Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (3m)

13:15 Cheltenham - Excello @ 6/1

Open-looking contest for a cracking fifty-odd grand pot.

Excello is a young, typically precocious French-bred 5-yr-old climbing the chasing tree. Trained by the mighty Nicky Henderson, James Bowen rides as stable jockey Nico de Boinville is indisposed at present.

In two runs at Ascot since joining Nicky he's progressed nicely, winning on the last day, and looks well worth this step up in grade. Should be a very informative heat, and we're paying four places each-way if that's of interest.

13:50 Cheltenham - Royale Pagaille @ 3/1

Just about a career-best at Haydock last time when winning the Betfair Chase, and though it seems Cheltenham isn't really his favourite parish I'm going to give him a chance to build on that fantastic effort in the north-west.

Venetia Williams trains, and the 10-yr-old gelding runs in the famous Ricci colours. This is a Grade 2 contest and might suit the selection, who's not having to give much weight and is joint top-rated on 166 with Ahoy Senor, who has become difficult to predict.

Another tilt at the Gold Cup in March is on the cards, a tad fanciful perhaps, but this might be more within his range after that brilliant effort at Haydock in November. Another marvellous race on a day filled with such electrifying tussles.

14:05 Doncaster - Under Control @ 7/2

This 5-yr-old mare will no doubt be present at the Festival but in what contest? Today will tell us much about her likely target no doubt.

Housed with Nicky H, owned by JP McManus and ridden on Saturday by Mark Walsh, JP's contracted go-to guy in Ireland. Just coming over for the ride is most encouraging in my view.

She ran disappointingly at Newbury in December, after which a wind operation took place. Last term she was a top novice with lots in front of her, and one hopes her tip-top connections have ironed out any issues, and that she can resume progressive ways.

She's got a bit to find on official figures but could easily flourish once more for her master handler Hendo.

14:25 Cheltenham - Jonbon @ 2/7

Not a great betting heat in all fairness, but fingers crossed that we see a 5-star show from the great UK-trained Champion Chase-hopeful Jonbon. Has stacks in hand on paper and shouldn't be overly-extended. In theory ...

14:40 Doncaster - Destroytheevidence @ 7/2

Lovely race for staying novice hurdlers, and the selection, a gelded son of Kayf Tara, has shown us plenty already.

Kim Bailey trains, and David Bass will be on top. Has thrived at a similar flat track (Kempton; right-handed though not left as with today), before running very well at Cheltenham last time in a Grade 2.

An N Henderson Albert Bartlett hopeful beat him there (Shanagh Bob), and having shone in the grade at THE most exacting venue he can enjoy this return to rather less demanding environs on Saturday afternoon.

15:00 Cheltenham - Love Envoi @ 5/2

Love Envoi is an admirable mare trained by Harry Fry and ridden by regular pilot Jonathan Burke.

Small field, but an intriguing race nevertheless - and a Willie Mullins challenger in the form of Lossiemouth, another mare with bags of ability.

Love Envoi ran respectably in the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Sandown on seasonal reappearance and will be better for that outing I'm sure.

Back to the track where she's excelled in the past she can prevail with what looks a nice racing weight of 11st 1lb against some very taking geldings, and that interesting Irish foe. An absolute cracker.

15:15 Doncaster - Twoshotsoftequila each-way @ 14/1

Carrying just 10st 2lb, this Rebecca Menzies-trained gelding is an each-way shout in a race where we're paying five places.

He's in good form at present with several placed efforts and looks well worth this tilt at a big prize. A 7-yr-old course-and-distance scorer, there's still plenty of scope for improvement and the forecast decent ground might be of additional benefit, having won on it previously.

The Great Yorkshire is a fabulous old handicap that's been won by some good 'uns down the years like Young Hustler and Big Fella Thanks. Another window opens on the advent-style calendar pointing inexorably towards Cheltenham.

15:35 Cheltenham - Noble Yeats @ 7/2

Some fabulous old heroes clash here, and I'm going for the much-decorated 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats. Runs as if no trip is too far - and could get outpaced here. It's Cheltenham though, so this 3m test can be pegged up a touch in terms of severity.

Reappeared over Xmas in Ireland after a lengthy 220-day break, to finish a respectable 4th over an inadequate hurdles trip. Keeps to the smaller obstacles as I guess connections want to protect his chase rating but could still be very dangerous - fingers crossed.

Have a fantastic afternoon's sport.

Horse Racing tips, from Betfred Insights.