ITV Racing Tips: Ascot winner Eqtidaar out for Leicester glory?
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Racing fans have been deprived of a titanic clash between Altiorand Cyrname on the final day of the jump racing season, but there’s stillplenty to salivate over at Sandown.
Altior will go for a record-breaking 19th consecutive win over obstacles in the Celebration Chase, while Black Corton’s clash with Charbel and Definitly Red wouldn’t be out of place at the Festival.
Add in the Sandown Gold Cup and a couple of intriguing contestsfrom Haydock and Leicester, and we’re all set for a super Saturday on ITV.
Six will line up for the King Richard III Stakes, where Eqtidaar is taken to return to winningways after a disappointing performance on far from ideal ground at Haydock inOctober.
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge showed his class to win the Group 1Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last term. A similar performance here should seehim hit the front under Jim Crowley.
The four-year-old is expected to take the step up to 7f in hisstride, while confidence is boosted thanks to the yard’s good early seasonform.
Bryony Frost and BlackCorton back together? How could we not fancy it? The pair are reunited asthey bid to register a first win of the season in a competitive looking OakseyChase.
They may be without a win this term but their form has beengood. The duo have hit the post on no fewer than four occasions, most recentlyfinishing runner-up at Kelso after backing up too soon from a run at Ascot.
Paul Nicholls has allowed a nice gap between runs this timearound, and regardless of the ground, Frost will give the eight-year-old anhonest ride. We expect them to be there or thereabouts.
A chance is taken on Ballydine for Charlie Longsdon. The nine-year-oldfound the Midlands National a touch too strong last time out but is a provenstayer following frame finishes over both 3m 2f and 3m 1f this season.
He ran well for long periods despite failing to complete at Uttoxeter last month. The Stowaway gelding is dropped 1lb for that by the handicapper and can find the places once again under James Bowen.
ITV RACING TIPS
1:50 Sandown – FlashThe Steel (each-way)
2:05 Haydock – Safe Voyage
2:25 Sandown – BlackCorton (NB)
2:45 Leicester – Eqtidaar (NAP)
3:00 Sandown – Altior
3:35 Sandown – Ballydine(Lively Longshot, each-way)
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
