Slade Steel and Rachael Blackmore beat King Of Kingsfield to win at Naas© Photo Healy Racing
Sparkling festive performances add to the magical feel of Christmas for punters and the quality of racing on offer this weekend is enough to delay the Christmas shopping for another week.
Navan hosts Graded action in Ireland on Saturday, El Fabiolo is set to shine in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday, while Sandown’s Tingle Creek meeting will be lit up by Constitution Hill, Shishkin and Jonbon.
Get €30 in FREE bets with bet365 to spend on the Festive action in Ireland and the UK this weekend.
Emma Nagle, Vincent Finegan and Betting Expert’s Stephen Harris serve up their Saturday selections.
EMMA NAGLE
1.07 Navan Tote Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4f
Slade Steel 7-4 - The form of Slade Steel’s win in Naas is looking better after last weekend's Royal Bond, he beat King Of Kingsfield quite easily in the end that day. The Telescope gelding looks a strong stayer while still not lacking the pace to win over the minimum trip. He might have too much for the Elliott pair.
VINCENT FINEGAN
14:17 Navan Foxrock Handicap Steeplechase (0-150) (Listed) 2m41/2f
The Little Yank 33-1 - should represent a bit of value in this handicap chase. All his six previous victories have been achieved at this sort of distance so it will be no surprise to see an improved performance now he drops back from the marathon distances he has tackled in recent starts.
STEPHEN HARRIS
3:00 Sandown Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) 1m71/2f
Jonbon 1-3 - Nicky Henderson’s Arkle runner-up returned to the fray with a devastating display at Cheltenham last month, in command after halfway to land the Grade 2 Schloer Chase with the minimum of fuss. He has now won 6 of his 7 starts over fences so far, including two over this sapping course and distance, and looks a class apart from these rivals on all known form.
2:05 Aintree Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m2f (VALUE ANGLE)
Lounge Lizard 20-1 - Henry Daly’s stayer remains open to improvement over fences after just six career starts (two wins), and shaped really well when third in a strong Exeter handicap last time out. He races with plenty of enthusiasm up on the pace, tactics which are never a bad plan of attack over the National fences, and the expected deep ground conditions should be no issue at all (with Charlie Deutsch an excellent booking).
18+. Play responsibly. Begambleaware.org
