ITV Racing Tips: Cap Du Nord to take One For The Team at Doncaster?
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The weather has already played key role in this weekend’s ITV Racing schedule. The meeting at Cheltenham failed an inspection, but we’ve still got televised races from Doncaster and Lingfield to take us past the post.
Despite a reduced race list, there’s no shortage in the quality of racing as Doncaster steps up to the mantle, including the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at 15:15.
The ITV cameras will be rolling from 13:30 at Doncaster to get us out the starting stalls in what looks like being a slog in the mud with soft ground expected in South Yorkshire.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out three key races in our ITV Racing tips this weekend….
14:05 Doncaster – Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle
Nicky Henderson sends out two mares from his stable for this Grade Two Hurdle with Newbury winner Floressa and Marie’s Rock.
Marie’s Rock (5/2) trounced through the mud to win at Haydock and Taunton last year and may take some stopping over similar ground here.
The six-year old surrendered her winning record over hurdles with a poor run last time out at Newbury. Could James Bowen be the man to rediscover her winning form?
Interestingly, Marie’s Rock last three wins have come with Nico de Bonville in the saddle, but he has switched rides to Floressa for this one and starts as the 7/4 favourite.
14:40 Doncaster – The Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle
All eyes will be on the familiar combination of Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson with Emir Sacree heading the market at 11/2.
A winner at Ascot last time out, Emir Sacree comes into this Hurdle in formidable form with the guidance of a trainer who has won this race in 2015 and 2017.
Elsewhere, Flash Collonges (11/2) carries plenty of promise with two wins from four starts, including runner-up at Newbury last month for Paul Nicholls.
Ask A Honey Bee (6/1) looks a solid prospect over three miles. The seven-year-old has registered a victory at Newbury and two runner-up displays with Paddy Brennan on board.
15:15 Doncaster – The Sky Bet Handicap Steeple Chase
Christian Williams is hoping Cap Du Nord (11/4) can put himself in consideration for the Randox Health Grand National in April with an impressive run in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase on Saturday.
It appears to be a fiercely competitive race with One For The Team (9/2) aiming to get back to winning ways over 2m 7f. Runner-up over the same distance at Newbury in November, can Tom Scudamore go one better?
Canelo (13/2), winner of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby and runner-up to Cap Du Nord at Newbury could bid to give trainer Alan King a third success in the Sky Bet.
Canelo has travelled smoothly so far this year and appears to thrive in soft ground, which makes him a shout at Doncaster on Saturday. A 6lb swing in the weights could also help him gain an advantage over the rest of the field.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 30th January
14:05 Doncaster – Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle
14:20 Lingfield – Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap
14:40 Doncaster – The Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle
14:55 Lingfield – The Betway Handicap
15:15 Doncaster – The Sky Bet Handicap Steeple Chase
15:30 Lingfield – Bombardier British-Hopped Amber Beer Handicap
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
