ITV Racing Preview - 23/02/2019

The first race on Saturday at Kempton live on ITV also comes in the shape of the first Grade Two action on the card - over two-miles-four-and-half furlongs in the Pendil Novices Chase.

We have chosen the Paul Nicholls trained Secret Investor.

This seven year old has been very consistent in these hot small runner fields and winning a Grade 2 and finishing well in behind some good horses.

He does need to reverse the form form the last time he raced against Bags Groove but now getting five pounds from the favourite he has a real chance on good ground.

Gorgeous Noora has done well for her current yard, and demands respect in the Listed Betway Hever Sprint Stakes - the first of two races from Lingfield on ITV, over the flying five furlongs.

Has been racing over six recently, so steps down to the minimum distance, but speed ever present in her win and second-placed finish here this side of the new year.

Was best of the rest behind top class performer Kachy in the Cleves Listed Stakes three weeks ago, and looks a leading player here from a good draw.

Hollie Doyle rides.

The third race of the day comes in the Grade Two Juvenile Hurdle over two miles and in this contest full of youngsters we have gone for Giving Glances to land the spoils.

This Alan King trained four year old comes into this contest with leading form claims after winning two of his three races since taking to hurdling.

His last start was in Listed company where he showed how gritty and determined he can be to grind out the victory and show how progressive he could be.

If improving again on Saturday he has a real chance of landing this race.

The Eider Handicap Steeplechase - four miles on testing ground as it usually it, Crosspark looks the most appropriate selection here on ITV's only visit of the day at Newcastle.

Asserted himself as a fine stayer over the last twelve months, with victories over three miles at Uttoxeter and at Southwell.

Was fifth in a useful Grade Three at Wetherby on Boxing Day, before following it with an excellent third in another decent National trial - the Classic Chase at Warwick over 3m5f, stepping up his efforts to only finish six lengths off the winner.

Improving all the time and should be amongst the finish.

The next tip of the day comes in arguably the feature of the day, the Dovecote Novices Hurdle over two miles and the Nicky Henderson trained Supreme Novices Hurdle fancy Angel Breath is our selection.

This potential superstar joined the seven barrows yard at the start of this campaign and on his only run in a Grade 2 on debut he shaped like a really nice gelding, going on to land the spoils.

Henderson has been upbeat about this horse all season and was supposed to run the Thursday of the equine flu outbreak.

If dealing with the time off the track and the recent flu jab he will be hard to beat.

Bar an upset, Wissahickon should coast home comfortably for John Gosden under Frankie Dettori in the Betway Winter Derby, off the evidence of his simple success in the trial last time out.

A really likeable type who has found his optimum over ten furlongs; he has only been beaten twice in nine attempts - one of which he had true excuses.

Unbeaten in his last four though - including an outstanding victory at odds of 11/1 in last season's Cambridgeshire Handicap, this 4yo colt just continues to roll on and looks a name to remember with the new flat season dawning in a couple of months time.

Cracking turn of foot, and looks very hard to beat.

The Grade 3 Handicap Chase completes proceedings on ITV, and itself see's a lot of quality staying horses on offer, but the one we fancy is Glen Rocco for partial owner Jeremy Kyle.

This eight year old is one of his trainers Nick Gifford's stable stars after showing how good a jumper over the bigger obstacle he has been this season with the Grand National the final goal.

His latest outing was the most impressive over course and distance, emphatically beating the field in a Class Two Handicap and even though this is a step up he is the one to beat.