Sandown and Aintree – ITV Racing Saturday picks

ITV Racing has another bumper offering this afternoon, showcasing live action from Sandown and Aintree in a nine-race broadcast.

The main dish is the rescheduled Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at 1.15, one of five contests from the Esher venue, which also stages the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at 1.50 and the Tingle Creek Chase at 3.00.

Our racing expert has pondered the ITV action and come up with selections for all nine races for the ITV4 broadcast, which airs from 1.00 to 4.05.

ITV Racing predictions – Sandown and Aintree, Saturday December 9

Our expert has recommendations for all nine races on Saturday. You can read the analysis behind his selections below.

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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1.15, Sandown – Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2m, Grade 1)

It is hard to escape the claims of CONSTITUTION HILL for Nicky Henderson, with Nico de Boinville on board. The six-year-old gelding is the perfect seven from seven over hurdles and could turn out to be the best hurdler we have ever seen. Last year’s winner is very difficult to oppose.

Selection: Constitution Hill @ 2/7 with Betfred

1.30, Aintree – Handicap Chase (2m 4f)

The JP McManus-owned A WAVE OF THE SEA makes his debut for trainer Ben Haslam and could be an each-way play. He ran a big race when fourth in the Munster National at Limerick on his previous outing in October and has some good form in top handicaps.

Selection: A Wave Of The Sea @ SP with Betfred

1.50, Sandown – Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (1m 7½f, Grade 1)

JPR ONE would have bolted up in the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham last month, only to stumble on landing and unseat his rider at the last. If he has come out of that race well, he should take all the beating.

Selection: Jpr One @ 7/4 with Betfred

2.05, Aintree – Becher Handicap Chase (3m 2f)

Gordon Elliott’s COKO BEACH has the burden of top weight, but Danny Gilligan takes off a very valuable 5lb. The eight-year-old gelding arrives here on the back of winning the Troytown impressively at Navan last month and has experience over the National fences.

Selection: Coko Beach @ 10/1 with Betfred

2.25, Sandown – Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle (2m)

Although he tends to be saved for the spring festivals, LANGER DAN is too big a price to ignore. He won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March and also the Imperial Cup over track and trip in 2021. He needed his run at Kempton last month, where he was sixth of seven, and should improve.

Selection: Langer Dan @ 22/1 with Betfred

2.40, Aintree – Juvenile Hurdle (2m 1f, Listed)

Wodhooh’s form was franked by Nurburgring at Fairyhouse last weekend and the fact that MAX OF STARS ran well in second behind Gordon Elliott’s Listed winner at Newbury last week bodes well. It is the best piece of form on offer and Ollie Pears’s runner can go one better.

Selection: Max Of Stars @ 5/2 with Betfred

3.00, Sandown – Tingle Creek Chase (1m 7½f, Grade 1)

JONBON left Edwardstone well behind when putting in a devastating display in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month and it is impossible to see anything bar the same result with a repeat performance.

Selection: Jonbon @ 2/7 with Betfred

3.15, Aintree – Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)

Irish raider PRINCE ZALTAR came from an impossible position to win at Killarney in May and should enjoy another sharp left-handed oval track. There should be plenty of pace in this and he stayed on well into sixth of 20 runners at Cheltenham last month.

Selection: Prince Zaltar @ 12/1 with Betfred

3.35, Sandown – London National Handicap Chase (3m 4½f)

Two 12-year-olds have won this race in the past five years and CYCLOP is another veteran who should go very well. He likes to get on with things at the front, will stay this far, enjoys testing ground and ran well here last month over shorter.

Selection: Cyclop @ 17/2 with Betfred