Tips and analysis - Sandown, Wetherby and Leopardstown headline Super Saturday of racing action

Our pundit from bettingexpert.com/racing has previewed the pick of the action with stats and analysis.

Grade One action takes centre stage at Sandown Park, pending an 8am inspection, with the £35,000 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase the highlight at 1.50pm live on ITV4. The exciting Shan Blue is unbeaten in three starts over fences and recorded a smart success in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Messire Des Obeaux did not run for three years, but has looked a rejuvenated force this year with two fine victories, characterised by a Graded success at Wincanton last time out. Hitman was a smart type in France and has made a good start to his career for Paul Nicholls. Successful at Ffos Las on his British debut, he was not disgraced in Grade One company at Sandown last time out and will appreciate the step up to two and a half-miles. He is the best bet of the weekend according to Betting Expert’s resident tipster Stephen Harris.

Nicky Henderson’s Dame De Compagnie won a match race at Ayr last time and is interesting in receipt of a mares’ allowance, whilst Sporting John remains unexposed over fences having looked in need of his reappearance at Exeter. The seven runners are completed by Paint The Dream and Up The Straight.

The other highlight at Sandown is the rescheduled Grade Two Cotswold Chase (2.20pm). A prize fund of £50,000 is up for grabs and this promises to be one of the highlights of the season. Three-time Betfair Chase hero Bristol De Mai headlines the six runners which includes Lake View Lad, Santini and Native River. The trio filled the first three placings in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December. King George fourth Saint Calvados and recent Taunton hero Yala Enki complete the field.

Over at Wetherby, the rescheduled Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle (1.58pm) is the highlight. On The Blind Side has turned a corner this year in the staying hurdle division and was a gutsy winner at Market Rasen last time out. Main Fact boasts winning form at Wetherby and will find this easier than when contesting the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Others to mention include Itchy Feet who could return to hurdles, recent Killarney winner Décor Irlandais and the progressive Ask Dillon.

The Dublin Racing Festival takes centre-stage at Leopardstown. There are four Grade One events on Saturday which includes the Dublin Chase (1.35pm) which will see old rivals and Willie Mullins’ stable companions Chacun Pour Soi and Min do battle once again. Min comes into the race having won the John Durkan Memorial for the third time in succession, whilst Chacun Pour Soi is unbeaten in two starts this term, which culminated with victory in Grade One company at Leopardstown over Christmas. They head a field of six which also includes notebook and Fakir D’oudairies.

The Irish Champion Hurdle is another highlight on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at 3.15pm. Unbeaten mare Honeysuckle is chasing a tenth straight win and a second successive victory in this contest for Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead. Her five rivals are headed by Sharjah who recorded a third win in the Matheson Hurdle on his latest start and Saint Roi, who was fourth in the same event.

Saturday ITV4 selections

1:15pm Sandown - Dolos

1:35pm Leopardstown - Chacun Poir Soi

1:50pm Sandown - Hitman

1:58pm Wetherby – West Approach

2:20pm Sandown - Santini

2:55pm Sandown - Clan Legend

3:15pm Leopardstown - Sharjah

3:30pm Sandown - Coo Star Sivola

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert