TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

All the live ITV action for this Saturday is previewed, including the Imperial Cup from Sandown. Complete with our best bets and tips for each race.

13:50 SANDOWN

A tough 18-runner novice handicap to kick off ITV's proceedings this Saturday so it's tricky to be overly confident.

The duo currently at the head of the market Belliano and Meetmebythesea are clear contenders but from a punting perspective neither bring much value.

One at a larger price is the consistent Laurens Bay, perhaps a tad disappointing last time out but her form is solid enough and she looks an each-way alternative, especially as she hails from a yard hitting form at the right time.

LAURENS BAY (E/W)

14:05 HEREFORD

With just the five entrants we're going to try something a little different in ITV's sole race from Hereford.

Western General has by far the best recent chase form and makes an obvious selection for any punter however Williethebuilder is making his chasing debut and had plenty of promise early in his career.

Although perhaps a tad harsh on Hypotenus and the more senior duo of Mackenberg and Famoso the Tizzard and Skelton duo look miles ahead of the rest and are taken to fill the top two spots, in either order.

WILLIETHEBUILDER / WESTERN GENERAL (REV FC)

14:25 SANDOWN

The showpiece race of the day is the Imperial Cup and we're presented with another large runner field to get stuck into at Sandown.

Last years victor Go Dante returns to defend his crown and this time with less weight to carry. An obvious choice to finish in the money once again.

Another horse who went well in this race last year is Dan Skelton's Knickerbockerglory. His last two starts have shown he's back near his best and although not a sure fire winner may have enough to pick up more prize money from this contest.

Afadil is a horse that's failed to deliver on the promise he showed as a youngster and after a credible 5th in last years Coral Cup it's somewhat of a shock that he's not going to the festival once again. A better effort last time out and if he can build upon that is another with a strong claim.

GO DANTE (E/W)

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (E/W)

AFADIL (E/W)

14:45 WOLVERHAMPTON

With eyes on a spot at Doncaster later in the month there's lots at stake for this 13 runner field.

Last years race victor Kingdom Come aims to take this contest for the second time after finishing just ahead of Final Voyage. Clive Cox's charge has every chance of repeating last years effort but the Irish raider should be able to reverse the form.

Although Final Voyage isn't the most prolific (1 win from last 14 runs) he's got a better weight advantage this time around and has the benefit of a recent run.

Of the remainder the four-year-olds Whip Cracker, Local Hero and Great Chieftan could give the selection something to ponder.

FINAL VOYAGE (E/W)

15:00 SANDOWN

Although unbeaten the form of A Path To Ronda's victory doesn't seem comparable to the top three in the betting.

The extra weight Supreme Malinas has to carry could be a telling factor so you're left with Charisma Cat and Dream Shadow as the two most likely to fight it out for the win.

They met when second and third last time out and it's hard to be overly convinced that the form will be reversed.

Charisma Cat was the runner-up that day and looks set to go one better this time around.

CHARISMA CAT (WIN)

15:20 WOLVERHAMPTON

It's frustrating that only seven are set to go to post as we're just left with the two places but nevertheless we side with an each-way option.

It's perhaps easy to forget that Witch Hunter is a former Group 3 winner who's competed at a better level than this. His return from his winter break wasn't the best but he should come on leaps and bounds for that performance and should do far better this time around.

The obvious alternative is the promising up and comer Jabaara. Owned by a powerhouse owner she's been a consistent type and with a weight for sex allowance has plenty in her favour if fit after her 220 day absence.

WITH HUNTER (E/W)

15:35 SANDOWN

Looks looks an easier test for the lovable Goshen but it's hard to see him returning to the winners enclosure any time soon after such a patch career to date.

Former course and distance victors Java Point and Hoe Joly Smoke are viable options and if any punter could get them at a price of 5/1 or bigger they could be a solid each-way play to nothing but Dreaming Blue should be too good for this field.

DREAMING BLUE (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock