ITV Racing Tips for Today - Saturday 31st January

It's a bumper day for ITV Racing with a massive 11 live races on ITV on Saturday 31st January. With Sandown hosting the Grade One Scilly Isles' Novices' Chase, Musselburgh having their Cheltenham Trials day and Day One of the Dublin Racing Festival kicking off over at Leopardstown. We've gone through the televised races and picked out our selections and fancies for the afternoon.

Calme Olympien 5/1

An interesting French recruit for Tim Vaughan and he got off the mark on his stable debut at Ffos Las in 3 runner maiden event. Cutting through the mud best of the three runners, he’s earned an opening handicap mark of 114. Gets conditions to suit and the interesting jockey booking of James Bowen in the saddle. Has been off for 107 days but can make a splash now heading into the handicap ranks.

Secret Force 6/4

Didn’t fire at Cheltenham when last seen but the stable were having a quiet period which seems to have come to an end now. Gavin Cromwell’s yard got back amongst the winners last week and with the form of Secret Force’s win at Punchestown working out well with the 3rd winning since, he should be able to get his head in front here and confirm placings with Lord.

Norn Iron 7/2

Seen twice over fences so far, Norn Iron ran well enough on chasing debut at Warwick behind an in form Chuggy, being beaten 12 lengths. The form looking to have some substance with the 3rd coming out and winning well since. Disappointed when last seen at Windsor but looked to lack the pace for the quick ground and tight turning track. Steps up in trip now and gets softer underfoot conditions. Dropped 2lbs in the weights, he should take a step forward in this sphere.

Welsh Charger 5/1

Won this race when arriving not in the best of form 12 months ago and has been running in better races since and managed to get down to a mark only 1lbs higher than last year’s winning effort. Arrives back in Musselburgh with conditions in his favour and clearly on a good handicap mark. Can play a major role again.

Gunsight Ridge 6/1

Won this race last year and although now 11 years of age, doesn’t look to be regressing at a fast rate and has a fantastic record of 1-1-2 on heavy ground. Has had two slightly lesser efforts this season but didn’t look to stay 2.5 miles at Cheltenham on comeback and quicker ground put paid to his chances last time out. Back down to his last winning mark and on deep testing ground, he should go well again.

Insurrection 10/3

Won the novice event on this card last season in emphatic style under Harry Cobden from Asta La Pasta and showed a liking for the track again when lining up here on New Year’s Day to be 3rd over C+D. Carries a nice low racing weight today and a 7lbs claimer takes over in the saddle. Looks the one to beat if running to his usual level at this venue.

Kitzbuhel 5/6

Heads the market at a short price but has looked a fantastic chasing prospect arriving here two from two over the bigger obstacles and last seen winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Has a big engine and seemingly handles ground from good to heavy. Makes the trip over from Ireland for Willie Mullins and should be hard to beat again.

Hartington 4/1

An interesting looking unexposed type for the Tizzard yard, Hartington has only had one try over 3 miles in his career when only being denied by a neck in a strong looking Grade three event at Haydock. Didn’t handle quick ground at WIndsor last time out but gets a more suitable stamina test here and should prove better than a mark of 128.

Grangeclare West 25/1

Galopin Des Champs looks for his history making 4th Irish Gold Cup but at 13/8 he’s not much of a price to get stuck into. It looks a better proposition at the prices to side with stablemate Grangeclare West who ran a stormer in this race 12 months ago to be 2nd and shaped with promise again over course and distance to be 4th over Christmas. A heftier stamina test won’t be a negative and he can run another big race here at 25/1 under Brian Hayes.

Mr Vango 7/4

The conditions couldn’t be more perfect for outright stayer and mudlark Mr Vango. The heavy underfoot conditions will play to his strengths and although shouldering a heavy weight he stays long trips incredibly well. Raised 3lbs for a valiant effort in the Becher Chase, coming 2nd by a short head, he will be more at home for this test. Will be hard to pass out in front.

Below we've put together some of the best bookmaker offers and promotions for this weekend's ITV racing from Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown.

• Win Double
• Accumulator Tips
• Lucky 15 Tips
• Request-a-bet Tips
• ITV 7 Tips

Other specific tips available include:

• NAP of the Day
• Each Way Tips
• Dark Horse Tips