Andrew Blair White: 4 Saturday racing tips from Aintree and Gowran Park

Our tipster offers up his best Saturday horse racing tips, with two selections from Aintree and two more from Gowran Park.

We return for another weekend of quality racing and, despite the ground still not softening as much as many fans and trainers would like, there are plenty of good horses beginning to emerge ahead of the winter months.

Last week did not go to plan and, in the interests of transparency and accountability, I shall be keeping a rolling profit and loss tally for the season at the end of each article.

Aintree has been the beneficiary of the loss of a prestigious West Country weekend, with both Exeter and Wincanton forced to abandon ahead of time. Saturday’s card features some informative contests, with both the Molyneux Hurdle and Rising Stars Novices’ Chase catching the eye.

While neither race particularly appeals as a betting heat, they are certainly worth watching.

My first selection comes in the 3.00 at Aintree, the Pertemps Qualifier over 3m. Qualifiers for this race are often difficult to decipher, as connections can be reluctant to show their full hand if a top-four finish secures qualification for the final in March.

One who arrives match-fit and ready to go is THE EGYPTIAN GINGE 15/2 , who could not be coming here in better form after winning both starts since returning from his summer break. Those victories came in smaller fields and, to be frank, weaker contests than this, but it remains to be seen where the limitations lie for this progressive five-year-old.

The Market Rasen race was also a qualifier for this series, so there is no reason to think qualification alone will be the aim here. He is often given a positive, no-nonsense ride by regular partner Jamie Neild. At 15/2 with Betway paying four places each-way, he strikes me as a good option.

Back The Egyptian Ginge at 15/2 in the 3.00 at Aintree

There is handicap chase action at 3.35 at Aintree over 2m4f and I am siding with BOOMBAWN 5/2 for the Skelton team.

Much of this season may be spent trying to work out when to side with the Skeltons’ handicap chasers and, in this horse’s case, the time could well be now. A seven-time winner who was once rated as high as 153, he arrives with strong claims having run well over this course and distance and slipped to an attractive mark.

He finished a close fourth in the Old Roan Chase at this meeting last year from a mark 10lb higher than the one he runs from here. Crucially, he also had a seasonal reappearance over hurdles at Chepstow, which should have put him spot on for this assignment. Harry Skelton can guide him to victory. Betway’s 5/2 looks a fair price.

Back Boombawn at 5/2 in the 3.35 at Aintree

Over at Gowran Park, I shall be keeping a close eye on the action and, in the 1.50, the 4YO maiden hurdle over 2m, it may be worth siding with BRADY HARTSFIELD / , who makes his hurdling debut for John McConnell and Alex Harvey.

Always well regarded, he went down fighting in his first two bumper starts, finishing narrowly denied at Punchestown before filling the same position in Listed company at Limerick. Greenness was evident on both occasions and that may also have been his downfall at Ayr on his final start behind the classy Skerry Hill.

His main rival at Gowran Park appears to be Huntin Boots who, despite his obvious bumper ability, showed plenty of quirks when refusing to settle into his race at Wexford. Meanwhile, Baila Conmigo’s rating of 109 suggests there may be limitations to his claims.

McConnell has saddled three winners in the past week and I am hopeful he can add to that tally here.

Back Brady Hartsfield in the 1.50 at Gowran Park

Speaking of trainers enjoying a productive spell, Ray Cody has kept his team in excellent nick throughout the summer and I am hoping he can continue that form with BELL EX TOO / on his handicap debut in the 2.55 at Gowran Park.

After showing promise on the Flat, he adapted well to hurdling when winning on his debut over obstacles at Ballinrobe. The trainer was quick to point out how much this sizeable horse looks built for the discipline.

He was slightly disappointing in deeper company last time out and, although he races from 3lb out of the handicap here, he benefits from the allowances available to a three-year-old in open company. Experience could count against him, but I am hopeful his engine can come to the fore and help him regain the winning thread.

Back Bell Ex Too in the 2.55 at Gowran Park

Rolling P&L (started 23 October): -3pts

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