Saturday Racing Tips: 7/2 shot Il Capitano of Owen’s team

There's a cold snap on the way, which could result in even less racing on Saturday. Let's hope Sandown, Wincanton and Cork survive at least, for they're crucial to my Saturday racing tips.

Topping the bill is a 7/2 Nap at Wincanton for local trainer Paul Nicholls, who's going great guns at the moment.

12:35 Cork - Speculateur @ 11/4

I'm expecting The Reverend to prove popular for the opener at Cork on Saturday - a maiden hurdle over 2m1f.

The five-year-old son of Lope De Vega was rated 100+ on the flat for William Haggas and he's since joined Willie Mullins, no less, to go jumping.

However, there's been concerning reports about his aptitude for this new discipline and the application of a hood is a further warning sign. Also, many of Mullins' novices have looked in dire need of the run. I'm keen to oppose him.

The one to beat him is clearly SPECULATEUR for the all-conquering Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

The Robcour-owned five-year-old was an emphatic winner of a point-to-point back in April and 221 days later he finished seven lengths adrift in a Punchestown bumper.

That form has worked out quite well and the selection is entitled to significant improvement, in line with the majority of Cullentra's novices this term.

If The Reverend isn't up to scratch, Speculateur is odds-on to pick up the pieces.

14:25 Sandown - Jubilee Alpha @ 6/5

Nurse Susan beat JUBILEE ALPHA, by just shy of eight lengths, in a mares' handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last month, but the latter is 12 pounds better off for the renewal of rivalries in this Listed mares' hurdle at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old also made a significant mistake at the final flight which undoubtedly exaggerated the losing margin. With a clear round, on these terms, the daughter of Flemensfirth is strongly fancied to reverse that form.

And I'll be disappointed if the selection, a dual Listed winner already, isn't able to get the better of the other four - namely That'll Do Moss, Sunset Marquesa, Shantwopointfive and Good Look Charm.

14:40 Wincanton - Maldini Milano @ 7/2

Nicholls, who's operating at a 24% strike rate in the past fortnight, could also be among the winners at his local Wincanton, courtesy of MALDINI MILANO.

A decent bumper horse, the six-year-old made an encouraging start over hurdles behind Dan Skelton's A Pai De Nom, now rated 124, at Newton Abbot back in September before unseating jockey Harry Cobden at the first when sent off 6/4f for a race at Fontwell the following month.

He opened his account at the third time of asking, at Plumpton just over a week later, beating a couple of subsequent winners - Daylatedollarshort (114) and General Briar (116) with a degree of ease.

An opening mark of just 114 looks lenient on that evidence as Maldini Milano dips into handicap company for the first time. He should at least go very close.

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