TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Saturday's action includes seven races spread across Kempton, Southwell and Newcastle including the marathon Eider Chase.

13:50 KEMPTON

Based on their respective best form then Rubaud should easily come out on top however his last two performances have left you scratching your head. It's no great shame to have finished just a length back in second last time out but you couldn't be overly confident in backing him. If he goes on to win then equally it wouldn't be a great shock but the Irish raider Ashdale Bob could spoil the party. Despite being at the age of ten he seems a rejuvenated animal this season and has relished the chasing sphere. Jessica Harrington will have him fit and ready and if one of the main protagonists falter he could be there to pick up the pieces. Despite there only being six runners and as such just the two places on offer he could be an each way bet to nothing to fill one of the top two spots.

ASHADALE BOB (E/W)

14:10 NEWCASTLE

One of the major trials for the Grand National, the Eider Chase is steeped in national hunt history. Although it doesn't attract many superstar horses a win in this race is a badge of honour for any solid chaser.

As always it's a wide open contest and any of the sizable field could take home the prize, especially given its marathon distance.

Of the current 18-runner field Gaboriot looks to have been aimed at this race all season and looked good in his prep run at Haydock. Likely to come on for that performance he's got a decent weight and with the yard of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero starting to get their horses to fire he's got a fantastic each way chance.

GABORIOT (E/W)

14:25 KEMPTON

The second live race from Kempton looks similar to the previous race on the card where we see a short priced favourite who 'should' come out victorious.

It's hard to knock the form of Mondo Man's second placed effort and it looks to be some of the strongest form in the book however there's been plenty of market support for Sauvignon. The Paul Nicholls runner entered a very competitive contest at Cheltenham on yard debut and failed to deliver however a switch to a right-handed course could work a treat. With conditions more likely to suit on Saturday he's got a great each-way chance. Once again with just the six strong field there's only the two places available but nevertheless he's taken to fill one of them.

SAUVIGNON (E/W)

14:40 SOUTHWELL

Despite being undefeated at this venue and winning after a lengthy break before Clarendon House doesn't seem the force he once was. Having finished last in all three of his most recent starts the best the seven-year-old could expect is a place but I wouldn't write him off too readily.

Fellow course and distance winner Diligent Harry has had the benefit of a recent outing and should come on for that performance. A winner of this race last year he's looking to reverse recent form with Marshman and it's very interesting to see William Buick stay in the UK rather than take up any potential rides in Riyadh.

DILIGENT HARRY (WIN)

15:00 KEMPTON

Tripolii Flyer gets the nod here after a very impressive victory at Musselburgh earlier in the month. Sent off the odds-on favourite he dominated proceedings and although he's unlikely to win with such ease this time around, showed he deserves a crack at this level.

Miami Magic already has a course and distance win to his name and a second in a better race when last seen looks very respectable. The obvious favourite but may be vulnerable to a few unexposed types.

TRIPOLI FLYER (WIN)

15:15 SOUTHWELL

You hate to be overly dismissive of any horses chances and often when you do they make you look a fool but despite the seven likely to enter the stalls it only looks to be two with a serious chance of winning.

Currently vying for favouritism Royal Champion and Military Academy make the most appeal and seem the clear choice for most punters.

Royal Champion returned from a stint in Australia and was well fancied when picking up a listed event on his debut start for Karl Burke. It could be argued that looked a stronger race than this and if further improvement comes from his most recent start he'll be tough to beat.

Military Academy has barely put a foot wrong winning three of his four career starts. Having been gelded over the winter he could be a new and improved animal who, even if he doesn't win here, could be one to follow throughout the summer.

Of the remainder former course and distance winner Champagne Prince looks best of the rest.

Really hard to call so a tentative combination forecast and tricast is the more obscure call for this one.

Although more than likely Persica will come and spoil the party.

ROYAL CHAMPION/ CHAMPAGNE PRINCE/ MILITARY ACADEMY (COMBI FORECAST AND TRICAST)

15:35 KEMPTON

Not seen since runner-up in a Grade 1 on Boxing Day Hyland has the class to take a race of this nature, especially now dropping into handicap company. That being said he's not had the lightest of campaigns and failed in two previous handicap outings. Wouldn't be a surprise for him to win here but two others make more appeal.

Former course victors Our Power and Golden Son have fantastic course records and both love it here at Kempton. On fair marks and without a grueling season could be fresher than most of their opposition.

OUR POWER (E/W)

GOLDEN SON (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock