ITV Racing Tips: Best Bets for the Live Action from Cheltenham and Newcastle

The Premier League takes the weekend off due to the international break, but the horse racing action continues apace. On Saturday, the ITV crew split resources between the all-weather track at Newcastle and the home of the jumping game, Cheltenham.

The 2023/24 turf campaign is all over, but fans of the flat can rely on the all-weather venues to keep things ticking over the course of the winter months. Whilst the all-weather is most commonly associated with low-grade handicap affairs, that isn’t always the case – as illustrated by the two Listed class televised events from Newcastle. The entertainment from Cheltenham is always a notch above average, and the four ITV contests from Prestbury Park are headlined by what looks like a cracking renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase.

Here, using analysis presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our best bets in each of the six races on offer.

Cheltenham 1:45 – Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase

Dan Skelton has made an electric start to the season, with almost £1m in prize money already in the bag. The Warwickshire handler sends out the favourite for this contest in the six-year-old L’Eau du Sud. Having hacked up by 10l on his chase debut at Stratford, he makes obvious appeal, but we prefer another.

Ending 2024 with a hurdles mark of 144, Iberico Lord was rated 6lb higher than L’Eau du Sud over the smaller obstacles and is a hugely exciting addition to the novice chase scene. He also boasts a 2-0 head-to-head record against the market leader following his wins in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle last term. L’Eau du Sud was pulled up in the former event but went down by 2¼l - despite receiving 5lb from the Nicky Henderson runner - in the latter. The duo race off level weights here, and we will back Iberico Lord to make a flying start to life over fences.

• Best Bet - Iberico Lord to win @ Best Morning Price

Cheltenham 2:20 – Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Paul Nicholls won this race for the third time with Stage Star in 2023 and sends a similar sort into battle this year in Ginny’s Destiny. Rapidly progressive last season, the eight-year-old boasts three Cheltenham wins on his CV and went down by just 2l in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase. There’s a lot to like about his chance, but odds of around the 3/1 mark are too short for our liking in such a competitive field.

Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat is the class act in the field and may outrun his 16/1 odds despite a welter burden of 12st. However, the one we like best is the unexposed Weveallbeencaught. Held in high regard when based with Nigel Twiston-Davies, he failed to deliver in staying contests. However, he appears to have rediscovered his mojo in two outings for Christian Williams. Having blown away the cobwebs at Worcester, he posted an excellent trial for this race when running on well for second in a Novice Handicap over this track and trip. Ideally suited by a strong pace at the distance, he seems sure to get that here and is an attractive price to hit the frame.

• Best Bet - Weveallbeencaught each way @ 20/1 with Spreadex

Cheltenham 2:55 – From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle

No shortage of in-form contenders lining up in this competitive handicap hurdle for the stayers. Dan Skelton’s Doyen Quest heads the betting following his solid comeback second at Chepstow, whilst the Jennie Candish runner Skyjack Hijack arrives seeking a six-timer. Both make our shortlist, but we prefer another at double-figure odds.

Going in the green and gold of JP McManus, Thanksforthehelp started as the 10/3F for the 2023 edition of the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival. He was beaten 8l that day but is fully 10lbs lower now in a slightly weaker race. A recent outing at Uttoxeter did little more than blow away the cobwebs but should tee him up nicely for this, with the expected good to soft ground firmly in his favour.

• Best Bet - Thanksforthehelp each way @ 10/1 with BetGoodwin

Newcastle 3:15 – BetUK Churchill Stakes

Moving up to Newcastle, the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour seems likely to start favourite for this Listed class affair and may prove a notch above these rivals. Now six years old, the son of Pride Of Dubai has picked up Group 1 wins in Australia and France and finished a solid second to Fantastic Moon in the Grosser Preis von Baden last time out. Those efforts all came on turf, but his most recent all-weather outing resulted in an easy three-length win in the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton. He must concede 7lbs to his rivals, but that keeps him clear of all bar Peace Man on ratings. That rival can give him the most to do, but we are in no rush to oppose the likely favourite.

• Best Bet - Dubai Honour to win @ Best Morning Price

Cheltenham 3:30 – Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Ben Pauling’s Champagne Twist heads the betting in this 2m5f affair and boats solid claims if returning to the form of his success in a Grade 3 handicap back in March. He’s a likeable sort, but was well beaten in his Maiden on the New Course here, which is enough to put us off at a relatively short price.

The one to catch our eye is the Harry Fry-trained Beat The Bat, who looks like the sort to improve for this step up in trip. Never outside the first two in three starts last season, the pick of his efforts saw him finish a staying on second to the talented Dysart Enos over 2m1f. Handicap debutantes stepping up in trip invariably catch the eye, and we fancy this son of star sire, Walk In The Park, to go close.

• Best Bet - Beat The Bat each way @ 8/1 with LiveScoreBet

Newcastle 3:48 – BetUK Golden Rose Stales

This cracking sprint contest rounds off the action. Annaf and Equaliteral merit respect, having lined up in Group 1 company in recent times, whilst hold-up performer Albasheer could prove dangerous if getting a clear run. However, the two for our shortlist are Night Raider and Wiltshire - both of whom boast a perfect three-from-three record on synthetic surfaces.

Having scored in good style at Kempton last time, Night Raider seems sure to start towards the head of the market. We wouldn’t put anyone off the Karl Burke runner, but, at a hopefully bigger price, we prefer an each-way punt on Wiltshire. Touted as a potential Group 1 horse earlier in the campaign, he hasn’t lived up to that but could scarcely have won more easily on his only previous visit to this track in June. Storming home late off a strong pace that day, it would be no surprise to see him repeat the trick here.

• Best Bet - Wiltshire each way @ Best Morning Price

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