TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

With eleven races across ITV this Saturday there's a whole host of competitive action to get stuck into both over jumps and on the flat. We preview all the races from Doncaster, Wincanton and Aintree right here. 12:55 AINTREE

Impose Toi has put up some stellar performances over the past 12 months, including a strong second in a hot handicap at Punchestown last time out. He's certainly got the best form on offer but he's climbed up the weights which ensures victory becomes an even tougher test. Write off the Henderson horse at your peril but he may find one too good once again.

Last time out victor The Lord Maid is an improving type but the substantial layoff is a worry and it's hard to be certain if he'll be fit for his seasonal reappearance.

One horse who has won first time back after a sizable absence is former course and distance winner Kyntara. The nine-year-old loves it around this course and should go close.

Another worth noting is Olly Murphy's Chasing Fire who showed significant improvement to win in August and looks likely to improve for that effort. It's a toss up between Chasing Fire and Kyntara with the selection going to the younger of the pair.

CHASING FIRE (WIN)

13:10 WINCANTON

Former course and distance winner Abingworth has been campaigned on the flat this spring but still has a 126 day stint of inactivity to overcome. Capable at this level but might find one or two too good.

Recent winner Lord Baddesley won earlier in the week and connections are turning him around quickly in the hopes of claiming back to back victories. If that recent win hasn't taken too much out of him he looks like going close.

All that being said it's top-weight Bourbali who gets the vote. Finishing third of five doesn't look great but the form of that race looks strong with some seasoned handicappers in that lineup. This looks a weaker contest and one he's capable of winning.

BOURBALI (WIN)

13:25 DONCASTER

With a course and distance victory in their formbook and multiple successes on softer ground it seems like everything has come up trumps for Montassib. He was far from disgraced in a Group 1 race last time out and a drop to listed company is sure to suit. You don't want to be overly cocky but it looks as if it's William Haggas' charges race to lost.

Fellow course and distance winner Spycatcher shouldn't be far away and for punters looking for an each-way option both Vadream, Zoum Zoum and Navassa Island could outrun their odds.

MONTASSIB (WIN)

13:45 WINCANTON

The ladies take centre stage in this seven runner Mares' handicap hurdle where it looks like stablemates Jubilee Alpha and Jena d'Oudairies are the standout entrants. Paul Nicholl's duo have solid form in the book with eye-catching performances in big runner handicaps and even listed events. Perhaps it's a tad unkind on the rest of the field but the pair look solid options so it's the bold move to stick them into a reverse forecast and hope they fill the top two placings.

Of the rest the most likely to upset the selections are Laravie and Sweet Caryline.

JUBILEE ALPHA - JENA D'OUDAIRIES (REV FCAST)

14:05 AINTREE

The second live ITV race from the prestigious Liverpool venue is a competitive handicap chase where a chance is taken on the Ventia Williams trained Alcedo. The yard do well at this time of the year and they can add to their early winter tally with this seven-year-old. The lightly raced runner didn't appreciate the three mile trip last time so this shorter distance is bound to suit. If he's fully geared up for his seasonal return he's one to side with.

Last time out winner Highlands Legacy looks the biggest danger to the selection.

ALCEDO (E/W)

14:23 WINCANTON

The yard of Paul Nicholls is starting to build up a head of steam with 7 winners in the past fortnight but the same can be said for Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead who's operating at a 25% strike rate. This race sees the two top tier trainers pitted against one another with Blueking d'Oroux and Cobra Queen the most likely to be fighting it out at the finish line. The only thing tipping it in the direction of the Nicholls runner is their ratings with Blueking d'Oroux rated 14lbs better than the Irish runner but only giving away 5lbs in weight. I still expect it to be a close fought contest but it should go to the English contingent.

BLUEKING D'OROUX (WIN)

14:40 AINTREE

An early season treat with the Grand Sefton race over the famous national fences. Horses with previous experience over these unique obstacles is a huge plus so I've chosen to eliminate runner who haven't tackled these fences before today. We're then left with a shortlist of seven all of whom are off decent marks and who've all gone well after a break.

King Turgeon, Frero Banbou, Vintage Fizz and Gaboriot all ran in this race last year picking up first, sixth, second and third respectively. Of the quintet Gaboriot makes most appeal having only finished just over 4 lengths behind the winner that day and is now 8lbs better off compared to the victor this time around. If he's given a less patient ride he can finish in the mix.

Of those on the shortlist who didn't line up in this race last year, Our Power, Excello and Jet Plane, it's the ten-year-old Our Power who can go well. Sam Thomas' runner might not be the most prolific but he's ultra consistent having finishing in the top three in his last four starts.

GABORIOT (E/W)

OUR POWER (E/W)

14:55 WINCANTON

With just the four runners set to go to post there's not even the option of hunting down an each-way alternative. As boring as it seems it's hard to see anything but a win for Rubaud but at the current odds you're not set to win a fortune if the Nicholls horse were to come out on top. More than likely a race that's better to watch than bet but if push came to shove Rubaud will be hard to surpass.

RUBAUD (WIN)

15:10 DONCASTER

With a weight for age allowance in effect here it's wise to side with a younger challenger and Elwateen looks the best of the three-year-old contingent. She couldn't deliver in Group 1 company but returned to action with a promising effort in a listed contest most recently. Now making her handicap debut off a fair mark she should be more than capable of claiming success at this level.

Fellow three-year-old's Anna Swan and Perfect Your Craft are also ones to consider.

ELWATEEN (WIN)

15:30 WINCANTON

Art Of Diplomacy was all set to make it six national hunt race wins in a row before falling at the last when seen most recently. He can atone for that error and return to winning ways.

Former course victor Credo always goes well here at Wincanton and seems the most likely to follow the selection home.

ART OF DIPLOMACY (WIN)

15:45 DONCASTER

Castle Cove and Hopewell Rock are likely to be near the head of the market and with good reason. The pair represent powerhouse stables and have produced some fair form this season. You couldn't discount either but with a such a large field it's worth hunting down some each-way value.

The two we're siding with finished sixth and seventh in this race last year and can hopefully go even better this time around. Miller Spirit returns to this race off a very attractive mark and with promising young rider Toby Moore taking an additional 7lbs off the horses back he's set for a big run.

Stressfree has a larger burden of weight than he was carrying last year but his consistency at Doncaster is admirable and he could be staying on late when others are struggling in the slower ground.

STRESSFREE (E/W)

MILLER SPIRIT (E/W) written by Rory Paddock