ITV Racing Tips for Sandown, Haydock and Leicester on Saturday 26th April
1:50 Sandown
The 1:50 from Sandown is a trappy 2m4f handicap chase.
I’d be happy to stick with RISKINTHEGROUND (NB) 4/1 here, who comes into this race on a real roll for the Dan Skelton yard. He bolted up at Ayr on Scottish National weekend before winning again last week down at Cheltenham. He’s clearly thriving at the moment, and a 3lb rise for that latest victory at Cheltenham may not be enough to stop him completing a quick-fire hat-trick. He’ll be ridden with confidence and can get a crucial winner early for the Skelton yard.
2:05 Leicester
We head to Leicester for one race, the King Richard III Cup handicap over 6f.
It is ROUSING ENCORE (10/1) EW for me in here. A really solid sprinter last season, he always appears to be overlooked in the betting. That appears to be the case again here to me. He was last seen making his seasonal return at Newbury, where he stayed on in eye-catching fashion for a never-nearer 5th. With that run under his belt, he has fitness over some of his rivals. He sneaks into this off a lovely racing weight of 8st 6 and I think he can hit the frame at least.
2:25 Sandown
The 2:25 from Sandown is the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase over an extended 2m6f trip.
The chase track, as we know,w is a serious jumping test here at Sandown and I think PIC D’ORHY (11/4) will relish it and put his rivals jumping under pressure. Pic D’Orhy comes into this race relatively fresh with two victories from two starts so far this season. The latest of those was really impressive when bolting up in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase back in February. He’ll try and make all again here and although this trip may be a slight concern, the quick ground will certainly aid his chances of staying it. Harry Cobden is the right man for the job as he’ll set suitable fractions from the front. If he jumps with his usual enthusiasm, Gaelic Warrior will have to be on his A game as they approach the railway fences. At the prices, I’d favour the Nicholls charge.
2:40 Haydock
The 2:40 from Haydock comes up next and it is a 7f handicap.
It is RAMAZAN (8/1) NAP I like in here for Richard Fahey. I expect he’ll come on bundles for his seasonal return, where he finished well beaten behind stablemate Our Havana at Musselburgh. The market didn’t like him that day, and that run should have blown the cobwebs away. He now returns to a track where he has a fine record, winning 2 of his 3 starts around here. He’s well handicapped on his best form, and he looks to hold a solid chance in my eyes.
3:00 Sandown
The 3:00 contest is the Grade 2 Select Hurdle with six runners scheduled to go to post.
I like LUCKY PLACE (11/4) in here for the Nicky Henderson stable. A progressive hurdler this season, winning his first two starts of the campaign. The latter was in the competitive Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, where he beat the first Gowel Road well enough. He then went to the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at the Festival well fancied, and truth be told, he was travelling as well as anything was for the majority of that race. However, his stamina just gave in up the home straight and this intermediate trip looks more ideal. Back down in trip, there’ll be no stamina concerns and he can continue on his upward curve.
3:35 Sandown
The Grade 1 Celebration Chase over the 2 mile trip comes up at 3:35.
I would be happy to take on Jonbon here with no Nico on board. I’d take a flyer on UNEXPECTEDPARTY (33/1) in this for the Skelton’s. The Grand Annual winner of 2024, his 2025 season was all about that race again. He ran an absolute blinder in it too, finishing a close second behind Jazzy Matty. He will enjoy this quick surface at Sandown, and he comes into this race fresher than most. He’ll sit out the back and creep around. It’s not a deep Grade 1 at all and if Jonbon makes bad mistakes like he often has, this is anyone’s race.
4:10 Sandown
The final race on ITV is the competitive Gold Cup Handicap Chase over an extended 3m4f trip.
The one for me is 2024 winner, MINELLA COCOONER (7/1). He ran a cracker in the Grand National last time out finishing a close 7th despite Johnny Burke’s saddle slipping at the very first fence. He now returns to defend his crown here at Sandown in decent form and is obviously coming to a track and trip we know he relishes. Danny Mullins takes the ride, and he gets on well with the horse and can get him settled early. Trainer Willie Mullins knows the time of day, and he can land this contest again here.
Free Bets for Sandown Today
Bet £20 get 3x £20 Free Bets
✅Best odds Guaranteed
✅NRNB
✅Extra Place Races
Bet £10 get a £30 Free Bet
Bet £25 get a £50 Free Bet
Bet £50 get £50 in Free Bets
Bet £10 get £50 in Free Bets
✅Best odds Guaranteed
✅NRNB
✅Existing Customer Offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets
Bet £10 get £20 in Free Bets
Relevant news
ITV Racing Tips for Lingfield, Haydock and Ascot on Saturday 10th May
1:15 Lingfield The opener from Lingfield is the Oak Trial, a listed contest over an…
ITV Racing Tips for Newmarket, Thirsk and Goodwood on 2000 Guineas Day
1:45 Newmarket The opener from HQ on 2000 Guineas Day is a trappy 6f handicap.…
Punchestown Festival Day 4 Betting Tips and Predictions
4.50 The Grade 2 Mares chase sees Cheltenham 1-2 reoppose in Dinoble and BRIDES HILL…
Punchestown Festival Day 3 Betting Tips and Predictions
After the Bloodbath of Day 1, Day 2 returned to relative normality. Willie Mullins trained…
Punchestown Festival Day 2 Betting Tips and Predictions
As we examine the cards day 2 of the 2025 Punchestown Festival, it should be…
Punchestown Festival 2025 Day 1 Betting Tips and Predictions
Ciaran has been through the big races on day 1 of the 2025 Punchestown Festival…