ITV Racing Tips: The Doyler looks set to strike at Kempton

Saturday's truncated ITV programme brought us precious little joy after the postponement of Musselburgh, but we go again on Easter Monday with the centrepiece being the Irish Grand National from Fairyhouse. There's also a high-quality quartet of flat races from Kempton's all-weather track, and a very good handicap chase from Plumpton.

Let's have a look in closer detail and see if we can pinpoint one or two that hopefully can run well for us on Monday, April 1, as we say hello to a new month - one that contains that little 4m+ steeplechase in Liverpool, arguably the world's most famous horserace.

14:25 Plumpton - Huelgoat @ 8/1

A richly-endowed handicap chase bearing the name of the great Bob Champion, winning rider aboard Aldaniti in the 1981 Aintree Grand National.

I'm going for what I think is an overpriced Paul Nicholls inmate in Huelgoat. The seven-year-old gelding hasn't shone in deep ground the last twice but prior to that, on decent terrain in November, won really well at Wincanton.

The stable are mounting a serious Bank Holiday raid here on Monday, with stable jockey Harry Cobden present too, and this is one I can see running very well on the forecast good ground. That Wincanton spin at around this trip puts him bang in the picture.

14:55 Kempton - Lion's Pride @ 2/1

The Listed Magnolia Stakes, over 10f. My selection is a four-year-old colt by Roaring Lion in the care of the Gosdens, and sporting the famous Oppenheimer silks (Golden Horn, et al).

Lion's Pride took another Listed affair here back in November, over 2f further. He's unbeaten in two spins at Kempton, and looks the type to progress at four. Last time was a career-high and I doubt we've seen anything like the best of him yet.

On official ratings they'd all have to start now to beat Dubai Honour, but when something looks too good to be true history, and painful experience, has taught me to be ultra-sceptical. Nevertheless, the Haggas/Ryan Moore globetrotter is a big danger.

15:30 Kempton - Liseo @ 5/1

Liseo represents the Crisfords and will be ridden by Harry Davies, who's been in the plate once before. Trappy event this, but the five-year-old Lope De Vega gelding has won over course-and-distance and ran ok at Southwell 12 days ago.

I'm encouraged that he's entered up again so relatively quickly and this isn't the strongest of handicaps in my book. Won off 81 in January and is just a pound higher on Monday afternoon. He's pretty much an e/w price as I write, so that angle is worth considering.

16:05 Kempton - The Thames Boatman e/w @ 9/2

When sprinters strike form it can often pay to keep on the right side of them until the tide turns - and so it is for me with The Thames Boatman. Trainer Richard Hughes is in fantastic form, and the horse came with a telling late rattle to win cosily at Lingfield last time 25 days ago.

That was off a mark of 78, and to tackle the revised rating of 83 Hughesie has engaged the services of 7lb claimer Ethan Jones, who's getting plenty of attention recently. We're paying four places so that's the way I'm leaning. Look for 'Boatman' to be played late.

16:40 Kempton - Dragon Icon @ 15/8

A class-dropper regarding his previous two spins - one a close-up second here over this one-mile trip, and then when appearing not to stay at Lingfield a month ago, over ten furlongs.

James Doyle has been booked to ride the four-year-old colt Dragon Icon, a massive plus in my book, and in this Class 3 contest can run a blinder for trainer Roger Varian, very much among the winners himself in recent days. Lightly raced, powerful connections, huge chance.

17:00 Fairyhouse - Yeah Man e/w @ 8/1

The 3m 5f thriller that is the Irish Grand National - an Easter standout for as long as I can remember. Heavy ground is I understand the likely scenario, so staying powerfully is an absolute must.

One such horse as likely as many to do just that is Yeah Man, a seven-year-old gelding by Westerner, a fine old stayer over varying trips and ground conditions for Godolphin.

He's trained by Gavin Cromwell, enjoying a marvellous campaign, and gets the superb Keith Donoghue up top. He's had a nice little rest since winning a Grade 3 at Haydock on heavy in February beating My Silver Lining, who placed at Uttoxeter the other day in the Midlands National.

He's 7lb higher than at Haydock but looks a thorough stayer. Idled at bit late in the piece in the north-west so a delayed challenge could be the plan if all goes well.

We're paying five places so it would be daft in my view not to take that sensible route.

If you're playing, have fun, and good luck. Hope too that you're having, or have had, a happy Easter. All the very best from everyone here at Betfred.

ITV Racing tips from Betfred Insights.