5 minutes Barry Hill gives his Saturday ITV Racing Tips including the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
After an exciting week at Cheltenham the action does not stop as we head to Uttoxeter and Kempton for a jam packed day of racing. Uttoxeter hosts Midlands Grand National which is always a competitive event. We asked resident Barry Hill for his ITV Racing Tips.
1:35 Kempton
Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
BEAU BALKO - 9/4
This race features a unique arrangement, with all five participants known for their late-surging, hold-up tactics, though some are more deeply entrenched in this role than others. Issar d’Airy barely clinched a win at Newbury in his last race, and a peak rating of 128 may prevent him from achieving a third consecutive victory here. Soul Icon's erratic jumping is a concern, which makes the contender from Paul Nicholls' stable, BEAU BALKO is the preferred choice. This horse boasts a remarkable ability to maintain speed and, provided he can find his rhythm in this race, he appears to have potential beyond his current rating of 127.
1:50 Uttoxeter
Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle
MONVIEL - 11/2
One Eye On Vegas has recently shown significant improvement, adding a win at Hereford to a previous victory at Leicester. However, he's up against tougher competition in this race. On the other hand, MONVIEL is set for a more manageable challenge after a promising return to hurdles at Ascot, and the introduction of cheekpieces for the first time could provide the edge needed for advancement. Santos Blue, who finished behind him at Ascot, had shown excellent form before that race. Canty Bay has seen a 7lb increase in his handicap following a convincing win at Ludlow, while Jagwar had to exert significant effort to win a novice race at Carlisle and was clearly outperformed in his sole previous attempt in handicap racing.
2:10 Kempton
Read Nicky Henderson's Exclusive Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle
BOOMBAWN - 7/1
Many of the competitors didn't have sufficiently high ratings to qualify for the major handicap hurdles at Cheltenham. Irish Hill faded dramatically at Ascot in its last appearance, despite seeming like a strong contender until the second-to-last jump. This race should prove less challenging, and Harry Cobden will be taking the reins from Freddie Gingell. Nevertheless, given the recent dominance of the Skelton stable's handicappers, it might be worth considering a bet on Boombawn, especially after a significant break. Assuming the Sunbury-On-Thames track doesn't experience too much rainfall, BOOMBAWN is favored over the horse from Nicholls' stable and the reliably performing Good Luck Charm.
2:25 Uttoxeter
WHITE RHINO - 6/1
WHITE RHINO, who had shown remarkable improvement throughout the season, was considered a strong contender for the Pertemps Final. This six-year-old has demonstrated significant progression, with his most impressive outing being a third-place finish in a qualifier at Huntingdon. Despite narrowly missing out on participating in the Festival, he is in a good position to secure a compensatory victory. Saint Davy, having extended himself to clinch a premier handicap at Sandown, shows potential for further development. Classic Concorde, previously trailing behind the selection at Huntingdon, made a strong comeback by defeating Supremely West at Chepstow. Additionally, competitors such as Lord Snootie, Hititi, and the accomplished chaser Elvis Mail are also worth noting in the field.
2:45 Kempton
Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Chase
OUTLAW PETER - 5/2
OUTLAW PETER has adapted impressively to steeplechase this season, delivering an outstanding performance to finish third in a competitive handicap at Musselburgh six weeks ago. He slightly edges out Flegmatik, a horse with a proven track record at this venue, who managed to secure a victory here in January with Chianti Classico, the recent Ultima Handicap winner, trailing by two lengths. Millers Bank, returning to handicap racing, could be competitively placed in terms of handicapping but still has something to demonstrate based on his overall performances.
3:00 Uttoxeter
bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase
IRON BRIDGE - 9/2
IRON BRIDGE stands as a formidable contender in the Midlands National. After finishing a distant second to Nassalam in the Welsh National, he continued to impress by securing a place in a 3m4f race at Haydock. His performance suggested he was just hitting his stride towards the end, and the longer distance of the Midlands National, combined with the heavy ground he thrives on, should suit him perfectly.
3:35 Uttoxeter
bet365 Novices' Handicap Chase
VAL DANCER - 5/1
VAL DANCER demonstrated remarkable resilience at Catterick, reclaiming the lead after being overtaken to secure a victory. This tenacity will be a significant advantage in what promises to be a challenging and demanding race. With victories at Leicester and Wetherby this season, he has shown a preference for softer conditions underfoot. Fortunately, the handicapper has been lenient, and with trainer Mel Rowley currently enjoying a successful streak, VAL DANCER's prospects look promising.
1.35 Kempton – BEAU BALKO - 9/4
1.50 Uttoxeter – MONVIEL - 11/2
2.25 Uttoxeter – WHITE RHINO - 6/1
2.45 Kempton – OUTLAW PETER - 5/2
3.00 Uttoxeter – IRON BRIDGE - 9/2
3.35 Uttoxeter – VAL DANCER - 5/1
