ITV Preview - 24/11/2018

The first race on ITV is at Haydock: the Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Handicap Hurdle, and we have selected both Cliffs of Dover and Garo de Juilley for the opener.

Cliffs Of Dover has been operating on the flat of late, but despite being pulled up in the Kingwell Hurdle back in February, he racked up five consecutive wins.

A return to the that scope would stand him with a good chance.

Garo De Juilley on the other hand has had a busy summer, with four runs including one win - most recently at Plumpton back in September.

Has since moved to Sophie Leech from Brendan Powell's yard, and definitely one to note on his first start for a new yard.

The first of two Grade 2's at Ascot, and the first on ITV, is the Christy 1965 Chase, and Politologue can setup a possible avenue towards the Gold Cup with a good performance here.

Ran a career-best when returning to 2m4f with this headgear combination in the G1 Melling Chase at Aintree, beating Champion Chase runner up Min.

Carries top weight as a result, but easily the best horse in the race.

Captain Cattistock enjoyed much success last term for Paul Nicholls, despite all three wins of his coming on testing ground, and he goes for the Stayers.

He does seem to handle good going, and can overturn First Assignment who raced as recent as last weekend, and has been penalised for his success.

Sixth on his comeback run, and stayed on in the closing stages. Major claims.

The withdrawal of Laurina has left the Coral Hurdle field wide open, leaving If The Cap Fits to clean up.

He was thrown straight back into the deep end, but returned a good second in the Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton behind Verdana Blue.

Surely is now the one to beat based on last years' performances.

Strong contender.

The feature race of the entire day is the Betfair Chase, the first leg of the Jumps Triple Crown, and what a race it is set to be.

A five-strong field go to post, and despite selecting Gold Cup winner Native River beforehand, the change in ground conditions, means we have swayed towards the runner-up from that race, Might Bite - who is out to see revenge on his counterpart.

Might Bite was outstayed by Colin Tizzard's 8yo in the Cheltenham feature, but showed what he is all about when shaking off those nerves in the Betway Bowl at Aintree latest.T

he King George winner is expected to now turn the tables, with the good ground now swinging his way.

It looks a stunning renewal, and it is going to be a classic.

Barry Geraghty has always spoke so highly of the JP McManus owned Modus, who frustrated in several poor runs last year, including down the field in the JLT.

However, he returned to the top of his game in the Randox Health Handicap Chase at Cheltenham three weeks ago, where he denied Duke of Navan by a head.

The 8yo will come up against the latter once more, but also has to contend with the likes of Ozzie The Oscar - 2nd in the Haldon Gold Cup a few weeks back, and Cyrname - who was third to Mister Whitaker in a Listed contest at Carlisle recently, form that has been boosted since.

Will be a tough ask, but if on peak form, will be hard to beat.

Once the dust as settled, the day closes on ITV with the Better Value On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase, and we are siding with top-weighted Captain Redbeard.

Third on his reappearance at Carlisle, he will come on for that, having previously unseated Sam Coltherd in the Grand National at the back end of last season.

Was also second here behind The Dutchman in a Grade 2 back in January, and surely a win is not far away.

Leading contender.