ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Sandown, Musselbrough and Leopardstown on Saturday, January 31
Sometimes we struggle to keep up with the personal life of Sport News Blitz’s horse racing tipster Jeff Mexico. This week he carried out an ‘important scientific experiment’ during Storm Chandra, which hit the UK this week.
Standing naked behind the Betfred in St Austell, he wanted to see if a 75 mph wind would move his genitals independently. Without going into too much detail, he concluded the experiment a success and was promptly arrested for indecent exposure.
While you have that unpleasant image in your mind, why not take a gander at Jeff’s 11 tips for ITV’s big weekend of equine action at Sandown, Musselburgh and day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
Whilst staying at His Majesty’s pleasure this week, I befriended a one-legged pigeon who I named Geno, after the Dexys Midnight Runners song, not the luckless horse Sir Gino.
Geno and I spent several days together, I fed him scraps of bread, while he shat over my window sill. Ah heady days.
As with most relationships it started off well, but then, like his droppings, turned sour. Geno became very demanding, I would give and he would take. He started gaslighting me and adopted a passive aggressive approach to our time together.
Then, just as I was about to start emotional abuse counseling, a new cell mate arrived. He promptly caught Geno and baked him into a pie. Which I have to admit was delicious.
Luckily I was released the next day, and only now have discovered that cell mate was a cannibal and was already eyeing me up as his next Sunday roast.
Obviously this has nothing to do with racing, but it serves as a good excuse if things don’t turn out well this coming weekend. Simply put, I’ve not had a great deal of time to do my research.
It wasn’t the greatest haul last weekend with five places and two firsts, which on paper sounds ok - but it’s not up to my usual high standards.
Obviously that wasn’t helped by the aforementioned Sir Gino getting pulled up with a fractured pelvis in the International Hurdle. I wish him a speedy recovery.
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12:55 (Sandown) VirginBet Novices' Handicap Chase
Main tip: Bollin Thou
Seasoned hurdler who Has been winning confidently, completing a hat-trick in recent handicap starts. Recent success has come on soft surfaces, so should cope well with the conditions.
Each-way tip: Precious Metal
A listed bumper winner at Cheltenham and a recent successful maiden hurdler at Lingfield. Stepping up in trip and now in handicap company could unlock further improvement.
13:10 (Musselbrough) Bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Listed)
Main tip: Lord
Arrives in excellent form, having won four of his last five starts over hurdles. Unlike some rivals, he’s been in real competitive action frequently this season, which can be a big plus in Listed company.
Each-way: Falls Of Acharn
Already scored at Musselburgh over a similar trip at the start of the year, which was his first hurdle start. Can handle the track’s uphill finish and that narrow win last time out shows he can battle strongly to the line.
13:25 (Sandown) VirginBet Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Main tip: El Granjero
Finished second in the majority of his chase starts and hasn’t been far off the winner. Solid level of performance over fences and should cope with the likely soft/heavy ground at Sandown.
Each-way tip: Risk De Pluie
Has shown solid form in decent company and looks well-handicapped. Ran well at similar distances previously, and this extra stamina test should see him stay on strongly. Sam Twiston-Davies aboard is another plus.
13:43 (Musselbrough) Bet365 Scottish County Hurdle
Main tip: Williethebuilder
On a winning streak, with a recent pair at Kempton. The yard has clearly targeted this contest and he should deliver a convincing performance in a competitive Scottish County Hurdle.
Each-way tip: Afadil
Won this race in 2024 and has good course experience. Races prominently and recent hurdling form shows he stays well over 1m7f. Is at the top of the market with Williethebuilder, the bold might be tempted with a forecast.
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14:02 (Sandown) Virgin Bet Money Back Saturday Handicap Chase
Main tip: Escapeandevade
Has been placed in his last few handicap chase starts. Proven on soft/heavy surfaces and has Harry Cobden in the cockpit.
Each-way tip:
Has been knocking on the door in his latest outings, finishing placed when contesting decent handicap chase races. Form suggests 2m to 2m2f is right up his street, especially with some cut in the ground. Carries a relatively modest weight compared to some rivals.
14:20 (Musselbrough) Bet365 Scottish Champion Chase
Main tip: Insurrection
Has run well in competitive handicap chase company recently, finishing a good third at Musselburgh over this trip. Has competed at a slightly higher level earlier in the season than several rivals and is unexposed off his current mark, so further improvement could be possible.
Each-way tip: JPR One
Has been hitting the frame frequently in good handicap chases, including a narrow second at Cheltenham over a similar trip. The nine-year-old has plenty of runs under his belt at this level, and is worth an each-way dabble if he brings his best form.
14:40 (Sandown) VirginBet Scilly Isles' Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Main tip: Kitzbuhel
Bolstered his top-class reputation by taking the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton in impressive fashion. Willie Mullins has targeted this race and Cobden takes the ride.
Each-way tip: Kala Conti
Posted back-to-back victories this season, including a commanding score in Ireland. She races off a noticeably lower weight than some rivals. Less exposed than Kitzbuhel, her consistent winning pattern makes her a solid each-way play in a tight Grade 1 clash.
14:55 (Leopardstown) Goffs Irish Arkle (Novices' Chase) (Grade 1) 2M 1F
Main tip: Romeo Coolio
Three-horse race so sticking with one horse, who is unbeaten over fences this season. Latest win in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown showed he handles strong competition and testing ground conditions well. Off a higher rating than his rivals, but he adds a touch of class to this small field.
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15:10 (Sandown) VirginBet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Main tip: Henri The Second
Hit the bar in a strong competitive handicap at Sandown off a similar mark on last outing at the start of the month. This 2m7f trip looks right up his street, and he’s won at this track before. Paul Nicholls and Cobden combo is another big tick.
Each-way tip: Titan Discovery
Scored in a good handicap over fences at Cheltenham recently. Form suggests he will handle the cut in the ground. Often races prominently or handily placed, which could pay dividends in a large handicap.
15:30 (Leopardstown) Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1 Chase)
Main tip: Galopin Des Champs
Multiple Grade 1 winner, and already a three-time Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup winner. Shown he stays strongly in softer ground, and has all the class to land this gruelling 3-mile chase for the fourth time.
Can gain revenge over Affordable Fury following his third here the last time they met in the Savills Chase.
Each-way tip: Affordable Fury
Excellent staying power and durability and has already won at the track and distance here. In big fields, he tends to stay on strongly late, so has every chance of placing or even scalping the other major players again.
15:42 (Sandown) VirginBet Masters' Handicap Chase
Main tip: Mr Vango
This 10-year-old veteran has been running very well in big handicaps, including finishing a close second off a strong mark recently. Stays strongly and shouldn’t be intimidated by the testing Sandown fences and ground here.
Each-way tip: Fortunate Man
Has run creditably in multiple outings this season, placing and competing in similar challenge races. Form shows he stays the trip well and usually finishes strongly. At seven, he still has potential to improve further so should be thereabouts if things go his way.
Good luck everyone, and remember to never gamble in your pants.
(Selections are correct as of time of publishing, Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from races and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)
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