SATURDAY'S ITV RACING TIPS: CHELTENHAM & WINDSOR

We return to Cheltenham for the second of their three-day meeting with the showpiece Paddy Power Gold Cup taking centre stage this Saturday along with two additional races from Windsor to get stuck into. 13:10 CHELTENHAM

We kick off a busy Saturday with a Triumph Hurdle trial, where several contenders will be hoping to strengthen their claims for one of the Festival's Grade 1 contests.

James Owen has his horses in good form and is represented by the unbeaten pair of Charles Darnay and Magnetude, both looking to maintain their perfect records. The pair made winning debuts, but Charles Darnay looks the clear first string after being thrown in at the deep end by tackling Listed company straight away.

The main threat to a potential James Owen one-two looks to be Joseph O'Brien's Atomic City. The grey gelding might not have won by a particularly wide margin, but he always appeared to be doing enough and looked to have matters under control. He also brings some useful Flat experience, having competed at this year's Royal Ascot, and clearly possesses the pace that should stand him in good stead here.

Fellow unbeaten contenders Admiral Will Brown and Mix Match could also go well. If forced to pick one at a bigger price, however, it would be Jamie Snowden's runner, who was available at double-figure odds at the time of writing.

It's not a race to get overly confident about, but Atomic City is the one who gets the vote as we look to kick-start Saturday with a winner.

ATOMIC CITY (WIN)

13:25 WINDSOR

The first of two televised races from Windsor presents us with a tricky-looking handicap, where at least half the field have a realistic chance of success.

Two runners who immediately catch the eye are handicap debutants Kildinan Prince and Doctor On Call. Both appear to be improving with each start and arrive here on the back of victories last time out.

Doctor On Call has since switched yards, leaving Paul Nicholls to make his debut for Sam Thomas. If a change of scenery can bring about further improvement, he's got an excellent each-way chance.

Kildinan Prince was last seen winning a three-runner contest and did so in fairly convincing fashion. More will undoubtedly be required here, but he's certainly capable of making his presence felt.

Lucky Bere exceeded expectations in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham when last seen and, with the cobwebs now blown away following that recent outing, he's likely to come on for the experience.

Elsewhere, the likes of Mount Anglesby, Libre De Choeur and Surrey Lord all look more than capable of throwing down a challenge.

DOCTOR ON CALL (E/W)

LUCKY BERE (E/W)

13:45 CHELTENHAM

Although there are currently seven runners entered on paper, it's fair to say that just two are grabbing the headlines. Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star are joint 11/10 favourites at the time of writing, and with good reason given their impressive records to date.

Old Park Star remains unbeaten over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and was last seen landing Grade 1 honours here back in March. It's certainly an interesting decision to send him over the larger obstacles rather than follow the more traditional route of having a second season over hurdles.

He's clearly a superstar in the making and has done very little wrong throughout his career. However, while it might be considered a bold move to oppose such an exciting prospect, it's Kabral Du Mathan who gets our vote.

The Skelton-trained runner was mightily impressive when winning by 14 lengths on his chasing debut. Although this represents a much tougher assignment, he has already shown that he can handle fences with ease.

Despite being the same age, Kabral Du Mathan has more experience over fences than his market rival, while the benefit of a recent outing could also prove decisive. Those factors might just give him the edge in what looks a fascinating contest.

Sadly, with only seven runners, there's little point in searching for an each-way alternative. Of the remainder, Workahead would be the one capable of capitalising should either of the two market leaders fail to deliver.

KABRAL DU MATHAN (WIN)

14:20 CHELTENHAM

The Paddy Power Gold Cup is always a fiercely competitive contest, and this year's renewal looks no different.

There's a trio of Irish-trained runners to consider, including Paul Nolan's Release The Beast and Henry De Bromhead's pair of July Flower and Zurich. Based on the jockey bookings, July Flower would arguably be considered the stable's first choice. However, Zurich has secured the services of reigning champion jockey Sean Bowen.

A former course-and-distance winner, Zurich looks worth siding with, particularly off what appears to be a fair mark. He could easily have slipped under the radar and his recent fifth-placed finish should have put him spot on for this assignment.

Of the British-trained runners, Madara finished fourth in this race last year but returns with an additional 11lbs to carry. That's a significant rise in the weights, and it's difficult to see him getting quite as close this time around.

Paul Nicholls' Quebecois is a consistent performer but is becoming something of a proverbial bridesmaid, having finished second in three of his last five starts without getting his head in front.

Blueking d'Oroux is another Johnny de la Hey-owned runner to have made the switch from Nicholls to Skelton. A former course winner who finished runner-up in a Grade 1 contest at Aintree towards the end of last season, he certainly has the ability to produce a big performance.

Meetmebythesea is the current favourite, and deservedly so, having won three of his four starts last season, culminating in Festival success. At just six years of age, he has a bright future ahead of him, with plenty of knowledgeable names in the sport believing he could go on to achieve major success.

He looks a potential big-race winner in the making, and another victory at Cheltenham would help confirm that his Festival success was no fluke as he looks to live up to those lofty expectations.

Of the remainder, Norn Iron is a solid jumper who could sneak into the frame.

MEETMEBYTHESEA (WIN)

ZURICH (E/W)

14:55 CHELTENHAM

An open-looking handicap hurdle provides plenty of opportunities for punters, and with 16 runners currently set to line up and four places on offer, hopefully we've found one at a decent price to side with.

Locally based trainer Martin Keighley has enjoyed a couple of winners in recent weeks, including one at this venue at a huge price. He sends Lucky Lyreen here for his stable debut after switching from Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.

A return to hurdles could prove a masterstroke by connections. He was disappointing over fences last time out, but had previously finished sixth of 25 in a competitive Listed handicap hurdle at Leopardstown. A repeat of that effort in what looks a slightly easier assignment should see him go close. Although he'll need to show some improvement, his current price looks too generous to ignore.

Top-weight Ac Of Spades is a former course winner and represents the Skelton team. He's certainly one to consider and deserves a place on any punter's shortlist.

Last-time-out winner Geezer Rockstar looks to be a horse on the upgrade, and Harry Fry's charge has to be considered a major player.

Gold For Alec went close over this course and distance just three weeks ago, and a repeat of that effort should see him produce another bold showing.

At a bigger price, Ifiwerearichman hasn't been in the best of form recently, but makes the journey over from Ireland and could fare better than expected.

LUCKY LYREEN (E/W)

15:10 WINDSOR

Another ultra-competitive contest that looks particularly difficult to decipher.

Lightly raced handicap newcomers Anniversary and Tunisya represent some major connections and haven't been handed particularly harsh opening marks. Both could have plenty of improvement to come now entering handicap company.

Last-time-out winner Zarakerjack landed a competitive handicap earlier this month and has only been raised 4lbs for that success. Such a modest rise might not be enough to halt his progress, and he looks more than capable of following up.

Dan Skelton's Misterdoc should come on for his seasonal return after finishing second at Newton Abbot, and further improvement can be expected here.

Former course-and-distance winner Secret Squirrel makes plenty of appeal. He returns to hurdling after 210 days away from the obstacles, but an encouraging run on the Flat just 10 days ago suggests he'll arrive fit and ready for this assignment.

He's unbeaten at Windsor and returns to the same mark he raced off when last victorious at this venue. There are plenty of positives to his chances, and he looks a major player who should be involved in the finish.

Of the remainder, Watamu deserves a mention. Despite carrying top-weight, he's a consistent performer who often runs his race.

SECRET SQUIRREL (WIN)

ZARAKERJACK (E/W)

SECRET SQUIRREL - ZARAKERJACK (REV FCAST)

15:30 CHELTENHAM

Having already placed in graded company and finished a respectable eighth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, Moneygarrow looks the one to side with here.

Representing the formidable Team Skelton, he now gets the opportunity to make his mark in handicap company and looks a serious contender on what we've seen so far.

The selection certainly won't have things all his own way, with Daylatedollarshort likely to pose a significant threat. He's a consistent performer who rarely runs a poor race and arrives looking to build on his recent success.

For punters searching for each-way alternatives, A King Of Magic and Hillberry Hill both look capable of going well. Luck Between Us is another to keep an eye on, particularly if connections decide to run him here rather than stick with his Friday engagement. He could potentially outperform expectations.

MONEYGARROW (WIN) written by Rory Paddock