TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

A mammoth amount of live action awaits ITV viewers this Saturday with racing from Cheltenham, Doncaster and Newbury, and we preview it all right here. 13:10 CHELTENHAM

We kick off proceedings at the home of jumps racing with a very open-looking, 14-runner handicap.

We have a handful of Irish raiders in the form of West Away, True Testimony, Zurich, and Darcy's Friend. Of the quartet, you'd have to be taken by last time out winner Zurich, who hails from the powerhouse yard of Henry De Bromhead. That being said, the six-year-old only claimed the race thanks to the stewards. At the same meeting, Darcy's friend claimed a runners-up finish in a separate race and aims to go one better. On paper, the aforementioned pair look to have the best chances of an Irish victory; however, it's True Testimony that gets the vote. Likely to have needed the run when making his seasonal reappearance just over three weeks ago and should strip fitter for that effort. He filled the second place in a listed chase just three starts back, and a repeat of that effort could see him go well at a big price.

Of the UK-based contingent, former course victor Double Powerful, Inox Allen, and the Dan Skelton trained Major Fortune should make any punters' shortlist; however, with all three returning from six-month or more absence, there are question marks over their fitness, and they might not be ready for this outing.

TRUE TESTIMONY (E/W)

13:30 DONCASTER

When it comes to Doncaster, finding a horse with solid course form is a must, and as such, we've used this, along with horses', handicap marks to narrow down the 13-strong field.

As such, we're left with a trio that consists of the well-fancied Rosario and Jer Batt, and at much bigger odds,, Francisco's Piece. Of the two more fancied runners Rosario has been in top form without claiming a recent win, but this contest looks made for the four-year-old.

Francisco's Piece hasn't been at his best this term, but the softer ground is sure to suit, and we might see him staying on strong when rivals are struggling to cope with the underfoot conditions.

ROASRIO (E/W)

FRANCISCO'S PIECE (E/W)

13:45 CHELTENHAM

In the first race on the card here at Cheltenham, the Irish contingent held a strong chance, and there's no difference in race two. Once again, we find ourselves siding with another from the 'Emerald Isle'. Pour Les Filles claimed his first hurdle victory in very impressive fashion earlier in the month,,, and this step up in trip is bound to help the Gordon Elliott-trained runner who'll be hard to beat.

The most likely to topple the selection is fellow last time out victor Minella Supreme, who also represents Ireland. A fall two starts back is slightly disconcerting and with four runs already under the belt this season might not be as fresh as Pour Les Filles.

Easy Love might be the best of the UK runners but once again it looks to be another race that should be heading back across the Irish Sea.

POUR LES FILLES (WIN)

14:05 DONCASTER

With Andrew Balding's Item now a non-runner, it looks like Aidan O'Brien has a firm stranglehold on this Group 1 contest, with the trainer saddling three of the remaining five runners. Of the Ballydoyle trio Benvenuto Cellini and Hawk Mountain are aiming to make it three victories in a row, with the pair claiming success in their last respective contests. It's hard to split the pair, so the safest option from a punting point of view looks to be the reverse forecast with the two set to fill the top two places.

BENVENUTO CELLINI / HAWK MOUNTAIN (REVERSE FORECAST)

14:20 CHELTENHAM

Transmission was last seen finishing a credible fifth in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival,, and with a very solid course record, he relishes the unique challenge this course has to offer. Has gone well fresh in previous seasons, so although he might not be as fit as some of today's opposition is worth sticking with.

Another horse with a convincing list of form here at Cheltenham is Hyland. The fellow course and distance winner has a 75% strike rate at the course, and it's difficult to see him out of the frame once more.

Three Card Brag went close when last seen finishing second in a top contest at Listowel. Clearly capable and if he can translate his recent form to Cheltenham can go well for trainer Gordon Elliott.

Hoe Joly Smoke looks best of the rest.

Lam Yai has the strongest form figures but with only one victory in five starts she's not been the most prolific so despite benefiting from a weight for sex allowance she could struggle to return to the winners enclosure with Spanish Waltz looking the most likely to topple the filly. Ralph Beckett's runner won his maiden with ease and although he'll need to improve now at this level it doesn't look the strongest listed contest.

SPANISH WALTZ (WIN)

14:55 CHELTENHAM

Former course winner Long Draw and the Willie Mullins trained Chart Topper cannot be discounted and it's hard to put anyone off baking either of the duo. There are very few negatives when it comes to said pair and both should finish in the money.

As we hunt for a bit of value in a race as open as this a chance is taken with Watchful Protector who claimed their first hurdle victory earlier in the month. An unexposed type who still has plenty of room to progress and should relish this longer trip.

WATCHFUL PROTECTOR (E/W)

15:10 NEWBURY

This Group 3 contest looks like a tasty affair with the market pointing towards the Godolphin-owned Time To Turn, who returns to this level after a disappointing crack in Group 1 company. This race should be more to his liking, but he needs to bounce back from his last effort, and that's not guaranteed.

The unbeaten Pandemonium has been faultless in his career so far; however he'll need to show further improvement now entering group level.

The horse that gets the vote has claimed victory at two major meetings and, despite never competing in a Group 3 contest, has shown enough to suggest he'll be capable at this level and as such Stellar Sunrise can make it three wins in a row.

STELLAR SUNRISE (WIN)

15:30 CHELTENHAM

On form figures alone, it's hard to look past Give It To Me Oj, who's unbeaten in his last four starts with two wins on the flat and two over hurdles. He's gone up in the weights, but it's not applicable in this race, so with just four opponents to contend with,, he'll be hard to topple.

The only conceivable challenger is James Owen's Hamlet's Night, who is also on a winning run having claimed his last two races. Could cause the favourite a few problems but he'll have to improve to finish ahead of the well-fancied, runner.

GIVE IT TO ME OJ (WIN)

15:45 NEWBURY

Ancient Wisdom returned from over 100 days on the sidelines to claim a positive second at Goodwood. Likely to be fitter for that race, there's a question over this trip. He's won over further, but in four previous starts at 1m4f he's never finished nearer than third. But in a race that doesn't look as strong in depth, he's taken to finally claim his first victory over this trip.

Al Aasy has multiple course and distance victories but at the age of eight he might come unstuck against fresher legs, and the same can be said for Hamish.

Of the three-year-old contingent Starzintheireyes might relish a step up to this longer distance and, with just a handful of runs under his belt, might be fresher than most.

ANCIENT WISDOM (WIN)

16:05 CHELTENHAM

Despite this being a race with one of the smallest fields on the card,, it looks one of the toughest to call. It wouldn't be a surprise if any of the seven came out on top and with just a limited number we're only granted two placings.

Former course winner Intense Approach returned to action with a victory and that should stand the six-year-old in good stead however, this looks a tougher test.

It's fellow course winner Pied Piper who gets our vote, and with experience at a higher level that could count for a lot for the Gordon Elliott runner.

Welcom To Cartries represents a top yard, and if fit for their seasonal reappearance could find themself in the mix.

PIED PIPER (E/W) written by Rory Paddock