ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Sandown, Leicester and Haydock on Saturday, April 25
Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico fell over when he was running in the playground this week and scraped his knee.
We gave him a hug, offered some soothing words and patched him up with a Spiderman plaster, which he showed off to all his friends. Now he’s fully ready to deliver this Saturday’s racing tips for the six races on ITV.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
Sir Keir Starmer has been coming under a lot of heat this week, for reasons I can’t be bothered to look into. But it got me thinking, I wonder what his go-to sandwich filling is?
He’s a child of the 60s and 70s, when the height of extravagance was Branston pickle. Rocket, avocados and truffle oil still hadn’t been invented and you would be arrested if you went anywhere near focaccia.
So little Keir’s choices would have been limited. The lazy among you would suggest he is a straight cheese in white bread, no spread, type of man. But I’m a better investigator than that.
He was brought up in Surrey and played the flute, piano and violin, so that already steers me away from the block of cheddar and points me in the direction of a posher sandwich…maybe roast beef and horseradish, or even dare I say it Dijon mustard. Ooooo la-dee-da Mr Frenchman.
But then I saw he’s an Arsenal fan, so what’s the point? He probably starts making a good strong sandwich, gets distracted, knocks it on the floor and gives up.
Anyway, back to the horses.
READ MORE: Horse Racing news: Lucinda Russell: Apple Away en route to French Champion Hurdle
1345 (Sandown) THE BET365 NOVICES’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL H’CA HURDLE
Main tip: Kadastral
Progressing through the novice ranks and arrives here with the look of a horse still ahead of the assessor.
Each-way tip: Cosmic Connection
Solid, consistent novice form, which includes wins and placed efforts, so is reliable. Rated in the mid-range (around the 120s), he’s not obviously thrown in but also not fully exposed.
1405 (Leicester) THE CARLING KING RICHARD III CUP HANDICAP
Main tip: Prince Of India
Very strong record on fast ground (three wins from six). Still improving 4-year-old, lightly raced and open to further progress. Hasn’t pulled up any trees at the start of the season, but putting that down to still blowing the cobwebs off.
Each-way tip: Berkshire Whisper
Proven at the trip (three wins from 10) and consistently competitive. Rated just under the top tier, he’s not burdened with top weight either.
1420 (Sandown) THE BET365 OAKSEY STEEPLE CHASE
Main tip: Doyen Quest
Has already shown strong form at Sandown, including a good effort over a similar trip earlier in the season. Forgive his latest run at Aintree as he was ridden differently and his jumping fell apart.
Will prefer a slightly sharper test and will be best suited to a tactical Sandown Grade 2
Each-way tip: Etalon
Course winner and has been given a break to this race. Regularly runs to a level that puts him right in the mix in races of this depth.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Ayr and Newbury on Saturday, April 18
1435 (Haydock) THE VISIT RACINGTV.COM HANDICAP
Main tip: Caburn
Finished 3rd in the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on his reappearance, well above normal handicap level. Still fairly treated off a mark of around 100, which looks workable. Proven on both fast and soft ground, and, unlike older exposed handicappers, he’s still improving.
Each-way tip: Cerulean Bay
Strong back-end 2025 form, finishing 3rd in a Listed race at Nottingham over 1m. Multiple wins at 7f and proven ability to travel and finish strongly. He’s coming back into handicap company after Listed runs and is versatile and battle-hardened.
1455 (Sandown) THE BET365 CELEBRATION CHASE (GRADE 1)
Main tip: Jonbon
No each-way bet as it’s a small field, so putting in all my faith on the old swinger Jonbon.
Multiple Grade 1 winner and a dual winner of this race, Jonbon returns to his optimum conditions at a track he enjoys
His last two runs were over further, where he didn’t quite get home strongly enough.
Back to under two miles on good ground, this should be his sweet spot, especially as old foe Il Etait Temps is absent.
1530 (Sandown) THE BET365 GOLD CUP
Main tip: In D’Or
Lightly raced for a staying handicapper and still improving.
Many in this contest will want softer ground, but he’s shown he’s effective on good / spring ground.
Each-way tip: Ask Brewster
Unexposed staying type who can outrun his price. Comes here off solid efforts, including a recent win. Likely to be towards the lower end of the weights and should have no ground concerns.
Good luck and remember never gamble in your underwear.
READ NEXT: Romantic Warrior will have to be at his best to defeat Royal Champion, says Karl Burke
