Free ITV Racing tips from Simon Holt for Saturday's action at Kempton and Uttoxeter
Racing betting tips: Saturday March 18
1pt win Triple Trade in 1.30 Kempton at 15/2 (General)
1pt win The Galloping Bear in 3.00 Uttoxeter at 6/1 (General)
ITV4 selections: TRIPLE TRADE 1.30 Kempton, Hitching Jacking 1.50 Uttoxeter, Too Friendly 2.05 Kempton, Collectors Item 2.25 Uttoxeter, Galahad Quest 2.40 Kempton, THE GALLOPING BEAR 3.00 Uttoxeter, Super Survivor 3.35 Uttoxeter
With a wet weather forecast, Saturday's Boulton Group Midlands Grand National over four-and-a-quarter miles at Uttoxeter is sure to be a slogathon, and conditions look ideal for THE GALLOPING BEAR.
The softer the better and the further the better for this ten-year-old who, on a less suitable surface, ran a blinder in the Eider Chase at Newcastle three weeks ago when only collared by Kitty's Light on the run-in.
The latter was absolutely made for that race, and very well handicapped too, so The Galloping Bear emerges with much credit finishing clear of the others.
The handicapper has responded by raising his mark by 5lb to 145 but he looks capable of defying it and, while it must have been deeply disappointing for connections when he was disqualified (for a banned substance) after beating Bristol De Mai in Haydock's Grand National Trial on heavy ground last season, he remained on his winning mark of 140 afterwards and was well on top at the finish.
Two high-level long-distance chases in the space of three weeks would be a bit quick for some horses but, at Haydock, The Galloping Bear was backing up a previous Lingfield (3m5f heavy) win following a 27-day gap and, in 2021, he won two hunter chases split three weeks apart.
Clearly, he is a very tough horse who handles his races well.
The other ITV4 races at Uttoxeter also look competitive and, for another selection, TRIPLE TRADE can win for the first time over fences in the opening Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Kempton.
The Joe Tizzard-trained seven-year-old, who receives weight all round from 1lb out of the handicap, was a slow learner when switched to fences earlier in the season, but has performed strongly in his last two starts with seconds at Wincanton and Chepstow.
The Wincanton defeat by subsequent winner Calgary Tiger has worked out exceptionally well with Midnight Midge (third) and Mongol Emperor (fourth) also successful since while Triple Trade probably bumped into a well handicapped horse (from an in-form yard) when beaten three-and-a-half lengths by Eaton Collina on that most recent outing.
He looks like a winner waiting to happen and has the build to make a much better chaser than he was as a hurdler even though his current chase mark is very similar to the rating he achieved when winning at Lingfield over the smaller obstacles last season.
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.
