ITV Racing Tips: To Mel from Kim – ultra-respectable run expected on Saturday

Some top-level jumping action takes place on Saturday, Feb 10th, in front of the ITV cameras.

Newbury is ok, but the scheduled meeting at Warwick has fallen foul of the weather.

Here's what we can expect;

LIVE RACING, ITV1

Newbury

13.30 Betfair Serial Winners Handicap Hurdle 3m

14.05 Betfair Denman Chase; Grade 2, 2m 7 1/2f

14.40 Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase; Grade 2, 2m 1/2f

15.15 Betfair Hurdle - Handicap; Grade 3, 2m 1/2f

13.30 Newbury - Kyntara @ 10/3

Ultra-competitive 3m stayers heat; a Class 3 handicap.

The selection is an 8-yr-old Kayf Tara gelding. Kyntara's sire was a tremendous stayer on the flat, and lived to the ripe old age of 28. He was by the fabled Sadler's Wells, so Shropshire trainer Mel Rowley's charge is beautifully bred.

He can go a bit too - since joining Mel from Kim Bailey in November he's taken two good prizes and been narrowly denied in another. He's been raised 4lb for that last close call at Warwick, in a £16k Class 2 a month ago, so he's a slight class-dropper here and for me can return to winning ways.

14.05 Newbury - Shishkin @ 4/6

Shishkin (our headline photo) is becoming a bit of an enigma - but a very talented one.

Oh for the halcyon days of a Supreme Novice Hurdle, an Arkle; but the story thereafter has had many a plot twist. He's still won an Aintree Bowl and very nearly a King George in recent times, but even consenting to race isn't an absolute given.

Having said all that - he's near-impossible, for me at least, to oppose on Saturday. No price, small stakes, fingers crossed. Could yet win a Gold Cup - funny old game, eh?

14.40 Newbury - Boothill @ 2/1

One of my favourite chasers in training. Teak-tough, consistent, and better than ever this term. Uncharacteristic fall last time when favourite for the Desert Orchid at Kempton. Hopefully no repeats on Saturday.

He's by Presenting, sire of the mighty Denman and a wagonload of other talented horses. One hopes the anticipated deep ground won't be too much of a hindrance, but with such a small field and in such conditions they'll probably go steadily enough. Marvellous race.

Boothill's in the Champion Chase next month and needs to be taking this if that's a realistic target - and why not?

15.15 Newbury - Brentford Hope each-way @ 11/1

More white-hot competition - the Betfair Hurdle, over 2m and 69 yds.

Brentford Hope has excellent previous Newbury form, which is a help, and is a very talented 7-yr-old gelded son of Epsom Derby winner Camelot. Soon be time for the Betfred Derby - let's get spring and all its assorted gems out of the way first though.

We're paying SIX places each-way so it's taken as read that we'll play it that way - big field, big prize, and many a plot no doubt. I'm happy to row in with proven quality on the track and at the trip, and 11st 8lb isn't the worst racing weight.

He's blossomed since the spring, and though more is needed to take this he might just be capable of it - or go very close at least.

If you're playing, enjoy. And as always - good luck.

ITV Racing tips from Betfred Insights.