ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 25th April 2026 | Sandown Jump Finale, Leicester & Haydock

Henry Gibbs
ITV Racing Tips

Six races live on ITV1 on Saturday — the final day of the 2025/26 jump season at Sandown’s Jump Finale meeting, plus the King Richard III Cup from Leicester and a 7f handicap from Haydock. ITV1 coverage begins at 1:15pm. Ed Chamberlin presents with AP McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald.

A landmark day for jump racing fans — Sandown’s Jump Finale marks the traditional curtain call on the National Hunt season, headlined by the Grade 1 Celebration Chase and the bet365 Gold Cup. Our tipster has previewed all six ITV races. Free bets are available at the bookmakers below — use them on today’s card.

Saturday 25th April 2026 — ITV Racing Schedule

TimeCourseRace
1:45pmSandownbet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 2m)
2:05pmLeicesterCaffreys Black Stout King Richard III Cup Handicap (Class 2, 6f)
2:20pmSandownbet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2, For The Menorah Challenge Trophy, 2m6½f)
2:35pmHaydockVisit RacingTV.com Handicap (Class 2, 7f)
2:55pmSandownbet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1, 1m7½f) — Feature race
3:30pmSandownbet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m4½f)

Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips — All Six Selections

TimeCourseSelectionBet type
1:45pmSandownMINELLA YOGAWin
2:05pmLeicesterZOULA CHIEFWin
2:20pmSandownBLOW YOUR WADWin
2:35pmHaydockCOSI BELLOWin
2:55pmSandownTHISTLE ASKNAP
3:30pmSandownMONTREGARDWin

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1:45 Sandown — bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 2m)

Tip: MINELLA YOGA (Win)

The opener on ITV is a competitive handicap hurdle over the 2 mile trip.

The horse I like is MINELLA YOGA (6/1). The Paul Nicholls juvenile brings a decent level of form to the table and is certainly open to significant further improvement. His stable debut was an impressive victory over Cheltenham Festival runner-up Act Of Innocence. He backed that up with a fine effort, finishing third behind Maestro Conti at Cheltenham on ground that was softer than ideal. That form has been boosted since, too and Minella Yoga has since returned to winning ways on his last start at Taunton. This is obviously a step up, but I think he’ll be well suited by this test. A decent gallop and plenty of cover to help him settle, I like his chances.

2:05 Leicester — Caffreys Black Stout King Richard III Cup Handicap (Class 2, 6f)

Tip: ZOULA CHIEF (Win)

We have one race live from Leicester at 2:05 and it is the King Richard III Cup, a handicap over 6f.

This sharp 6f on quick ground looks ideal for ZOULA CHIEF (7/1), and he looks set to run a big race in here with Billy Loughnane taking the ride. A winner two starts ago when well-backed under Loughnane, he followed that effort up with a fine third behind two decent sorts in Completely Random and Bolo Neighs last time out at Lingfield. Hes fine with returning to the turf as 3 of his 4 wins have been on it. I think this prominent racer will be bang there throughout and I’m hopeful he can fend off all challengers.

2:20 Sandown — bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2, 2m6½f)

Tip: BLOW YOUR WAD (Win)

The 2:20 from Sandown is the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase over 2m6f.

A weak renewal, I think BLOW YOUR WAD (7/4) is the one to be with here. There looks sure to be plenty of pace on with Etalon and Mahons Glory in here. I’d also expect Doyen Quest to return to more prominent tactics after some poor jumping when held up at Aintree last time. That will suit Blow Your Wad well, as stamina is his strong suit. He ran a cracker in the Ultima at Cheltenham, finishing a good 4th, and he has since backed that up with a decent victory last time at Chepstow over an extended 2m3f. This trip looks ideal with plenty of pace on, and he’s definitely the one they all have to beat.

2:35 Haydock — Visit RacingTV.com Handicap (Class 2, 7f)

Tip: COSI BELLO (Win)

The 2:35 is the one race from Haydock and it is a 7f handicap.

I think the Charlie Fellowes-trained COSI BELLO (7/2) can prove he’s a lot better than a mark of 95 here. A progressive sort last season who won his first two starts before finishing an unlucky second when well-backed at Chester. He then ran a cracker over the straight mile at Ascot, finishing a close 4th in a traditionally competitive handicap there. He’s only had 4 starts so he’s entitled to have improved over the winter, and the early market vibes suggest connections agree he’s well-handicapped.

2:55 Sandown — bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1, 1m7½f) — NAP

Tip: THISTLE ASK (NAP)

Next up is the Grade 1 Celebration Chase for the 2 mile chasers.

The one for me is THISTLE ASK (2/1) NAP, who comes into this fresh. Jonbon is 10 and has had a hard season, and Solness gave his all at Aintree earlier this month and will do well to back that up after a short break. Thistle Ask has improved throughout the season, and he’s arguably got more left in the tank. He was just touched off at Ascot by Jonbon, but at Sandown, where his bold attacking jumping can be more of an asset, he can gain his revenge.

3:30 Sandown — bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m4½f)

Tip: MONTREGARD (Win)

We finish with the trappy Gold Cup Handicap Chase over the extended 3m4f distance.

I like MONTREGARD (5/1) in this, who was pulled out of the Scottish National late last week due to the ground, and compensation may well await, given conditions have come good for him. This progressive 7-year-old of Tom Lacey’s looks well equipped for this test, and I don’t think a 4lb rise for a decent victory at Ascot last time out will be enough to stop him today. He has a lovely racing weight of 10’8, and he can round off what has been an amazing season for his owner, JP McManus.

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