TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Racing across three countries is set to be shown on ITV this Saturday including two Grade 1 races from Leopardstown. 12:55 SANDOWN

Bollin Thou produced an absolute demolition job to claim a 12 length victory when last seen earlier in the month. This is a step up in level but deserves a shot in this grade and looks capable of making it four wins in a row.

Fellow last time out winners Precious Metal and Calme Olympien look the most obvious threats and it's the Tim Vaughan runner I fear most.

BOLLIN THOU (WIN)

13:10 MUSSELBURGH

Gavin Cromwell's Secret Force faired well in a Grad 2 contest last time out and this drop in grade is certain to see an improved effort. Hard to rule out the Irish raider however it's the fellow Fyffe owned runner Made U Blush who is taken to go close. Dan Skelton's runner finished 10 lengths ahead of the field when a convincing winner of their maiden last month and although the horse will need to build upon that effort showed he deserves a shot at this level for a bang in form yard.

MADE U BLUSH (WIN)

13:25 SANDOWN

A step up in trip and return to softer ground should be key for Norn Iron who looks a consistent type having not finished outside of the top three in his last four starts. Disappointed last time out but this looks a more favourable challenge for Harry Derham's charge.

Risk De Pluie and Soldierofthestorm should make any punters shortlist.

NORN IRON (WIN)

13:43 MUSSELBURGH

Afadil's form at this meeting reads as two victories and a second from three previous starts. He's not been at his best of late but as such now resides off a very attractive mark and is taken to fair well back at Musselburgh's February meet.

For punters hunting an each way alternative Welsh Charger and Static look best of the rest.

AFADIL (WIN)

WELSH CHARGER (E/W)

14:02 SANDOWN

The underfoot conditions will help Mortator, but unfortunately, the distance looks too short.

Last years race winner and runner-up Gunsight Ridge and Dr T J Eckleburg renew their rivalry and with the weight slightly favouring Evan Williams runner he could reverse the form.

Course and distance victor Kotmask knows what it takes to win here at Sandown and should be taken very seriously.

At a larger price Rath Gaul Hill could potentially spring a shock.

A tough race to call but a chance is taken on last years race second.

DR T J ECKLEBURG (E/W)

14:20 MUSSELBURGH

Veteran Tommy's Oscar will be a well received victory here in his native Scotland but it's safe to say his better days look to have passed him by.

Course and distance winner Insurrection looks the obvious choice and should build upon their recent third placed effort at the start of the year.

Moon D'Orange could be capable of outrunning their odds after a fair enough performance in a more competitive race at Cheltenham last time out and could have snuck under the radar.

INSURRECTION (WIN)

MOON D'ORANGE (E/W)

14:40 SANDOWN

A four runner contest but a relatively open one. Irish raiders Kitzbuhel and Kala Conti look a step ahead of the other pair.

Unfortunately the owners saw Sir Gino disappoint last weekend and potentially the same could happen again this Saturday. With a weight for sex allowance and a dominant win over Kargese Kala Conti enters the race with plenty in her favour.

KALA CONTI (WIN)

14:55 LEOPARDSTOWN

Despite it being a Grade 1 contest it's a shame that we only have a trio of runners to make up such a small field.

Race outsider Downmexicoway has won two of their last three starts but looks to be here just to simply makeup the numbers and shouldn't pose a serious threat to the top two in the market.

Race favourite Romeo Coolio has done nothing wrong this season winning his last three starts and maintaining a 100% record over the bigger obstacles.

Kargese has also tasted success over this track and trip so we know she'll handle conditions. Despite her 7lb weight allowance and the fact she hails from the powerhouse yard of Willie Mullins she looks set to be the bridesmaid and not the bride this time around.

ROMEO COOLIO (WIN)

15:10 SANDOWN

Red Dirt Road claimed this race in 2025 but a 322 day absence could be too much of an obstacle to overcome so it's the horse that finished second that day that gets our vote. Henri The Second has a recent run under their belt and returns to this contest off a more attractive mark and looks to be in decent form.

Recent winner Party Vibes, the Olly Murphy trained Roaring Conquest and bottom-weight Sole Solution can make up the placings.

HENRI THE SECOND (WIN)

15:30 LEOPARDSTOWN

A plethora of today's runners renew their rivalry after facing one another in the Savilles Chase over this course and distance at the end of December. With nine of the runners from that contest entered here, the form of the win by Affordable Fury looks very strong, and a repeat of that effort will prove that win wasn't a fluke. A consistent type who shouldn't be ruled out.

The likely favourite looks to be former Gold Cup winneer Galopin Des Champs who's on a retrieval mission after losing the Cheltenham showpiece last year. At the age of ten you have to feel this might be his last chance to regain his title and although he looks an obvious favourite looks too short in the betting to make him an attractive bet.

Stablemate Gaelic Warrior wasn't far away when third in the King George and a return to a course he's been successful at before could be a positive. A repeat of his most recent performance should be enough to see him finish in the money once again and is taken as an each way alternative.

Of the remainder, another Willie Mullins-trained competitor worth noting is I Am Maximums who produced a solid effort to finish second here when last seen. If the ground continues to softer he has the stamina to ensure he sees home the trip in testing conditions.

GAELIC WARRIOR (E/W) written by Rory Paddock