Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Best bets for Sandown and Aintree on December 9

Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper felt the course was raceable before the scheduled 7.30am precautionary inspection, however, with up to another six millimetres and possibly more rain still to fall, he will be keeping a close eye on how the course is shaping up over the day.

So that's the good news. The bad news is Nicky Henderson has decided that Constitution Hill and Shishkin will not run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Let's keep it positive for today's races, which includes the Tingle Creek Chase (1500), the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (1350) and the relocated Fighting Fifth Hurdle (1315), which are all Grade One events.

Aintree are also serving up four races for the ITV cameras including the feature Becher Handicap Chase (1405), hopefully the weather won't trouble them too much.

We begin with a quick list of tips for Saturday's racing, and further down the page the reasons we've picked them

If you fancy a punt or two, check out the Planet Sport race centre which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

Saturday's selections:

13:15 (Sandown) Love Envoi

13:30 (Aintree) Heltenham

13:50 (Sandown) Colonel Harry

14:05 (Aintree) Highland Hunter

14:25 (Sandown) Spirit D'Aunou

14:40 (Aintree) Max Of Stars

15:00 (Sandown) Jonbon

15:35 (Sandown) Beauport

 

13:15 (Sandown) Constitution Hill

With Constitution Hill and Shishkin now out of the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Love Envoi will have a leading chance of claiming a big win.

A proven contender at the top level, the Harry Fry-trained seven-year-old finished second tackling the G1 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

You Wear It Well likes slow conditions. Winner of a Listed hurdle at Wetherby making reappearance.

Goshen holds each-way claims on best form.

 

13:30 (Aintree) Heltenham

Heltenham made light work of a useful novice field upon return. Already a fences winner and rates an excellent chance switching back to that discipline.

Richmond Lake also scored on return to the track at Wetherby tackling two miles. Maintains form and cannot be underestimated.

Brave Seasca is capable of mixing it with the best on his day. If putting his last run behind him could play a big role.

War Lord produced a fair performance at Exeter in the Haldon Gold Cup. Further improvement expected off the back of that.

 

13:50 (Sandown) Colonel Harry

The Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase is the third Grade One on the card and it is Jamie Snowden’s Colonel Harry who takes the eye.

Grade Two placed over hurdles, he made a seamless switch to fences at Chepstow when his previous Tolworth conqueror Tahmuras trailed home last of three.

While the favourite underperformed that day, Colonel Harry sealed victory over Out Of Office with a perfect leap at the last, looking reasonable value for the official margin of two and a half lengths.

This is obviously a huge leap in level, but Colonel Harry looks sure to be a better chaser than hurdler.

 

14:05 (Aintree) Highland Hunter

Highland Hunter has yet to have a spin over the Grand National fences, but he arrives at the Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase on the back of a fine prep run when beaten two lengths by Elvis Mail at Kelso in October, with National hero Corach Rambler a disappointing fifth.

He was giving the winner 5lb on what was his first run for 630 days and his initial start for Fergal O’Brien, leaving the impression there could be plenty to work on.

The 10-year-old finished second in the Welsh National a couple of years ago and has relatively few miles on the clock for a horse of his age.

 

14:25 (Sandown) Spirit D'Aunou

Spirit D'Aunou returned after a seven month absence with a fourth at Cheltenham. Not beaten far and could come forward for the run so rates a top chance.

Arqoob has the advantage of race fitness. Scored by three and a half lengths over course and distance when last seen and will be in the mix.

Punta Del Este was a useful second at Wetherby on seasonal reappearance anfd progression is expected, while Impose Toi holds each-way claims for the Henderson yard.

 

14:40 (Aintree) Max Of Stars

Max Of Stars maintains fine form after a second at Newbury last weekend. Won multiple times last season and could prove hard to beat.

Liari brings an excellent level of jumping into the race. Impressed in a lesser contest last time and can take this step up in his stride.

Le Fauve has delivered only the one start which was at Bordeaux finishing second of seven and has a genuine chance.

Eagle Prince will be hoping to improve on Cheltenham run. That was a much better race so might find this more to his liking.

 

15:00 (Sandown) Jonbon

Henderson's Jonbon is difficult to look past in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, although conditions might not be his optimum.

The only blemish on his novice chasing season came when second to El Fabiolo in the Arkle at Cheltenham, but he made amends with Maghull glory at Aintree before a successful leap to open company in the Grade One Celebration Chase at this track at the end of the campaign.

Henderson gave him a spin out at Cheltenham last month and Jonbon duly came home a comfortable nine-length winner over the reopposing Edwardstone, with little to suggest that form will be turned around here.

 

15:15 (Aintree) Sonigino

Sonigino provided a pleasing return to the track making the frame at Chepstow.

Missed on a placing at Cheltenham subsequently and is capable of better, so will have a big role to play.

Vicki Vale delivered an excellent second at Wincanton and is sure to feature again.

Bashers Reflection clearly benefited from the run at Wincanton scoring at Wetherby down in trip, so is worth considering.

Holmes St George completed a pleasing come back run at Down Royal tackling three miles. Sure to play a role once more among this company.

 

15:35 (Sandown) Beauport

Beauport is capable of overcoming near top weight. Good fifth resuming and drops back in class and will like a stamina test.

Certainly Red was a useful fourth recommencing racing at Wincanton and is worth considering.

Fontaine Collonges looks interesting from a low weight with apprentice claim on her seasonal reappearance.

Broken Halo holds each-way claims returning after a break and was dual winner at the end of last season.

 

READ MORE: Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport blog: Golden Son the reason I’m going to Aintree on Saturday