Oli Bell includes Melrose Boy in his latest Saturday Yankee - check out this week's selections right here.
Oli Bell's Saturday Yankee
1.50 Sandown
Cheltenham may be just around the corner, but there’s still an impressive afternoon of racing action to look forward to on Saturday.
The Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap is always one to relish as Sandown Park sets the tone for what will be a huge week on ITV Racing. We'll also be bringing you Live Flat Racing with a visit to Wolverhampton for two races.
Hopefully this weekend’s Yankee can give your Festival coffers a boost...
1.50 Sandown - European Breeders’ Fund Matchbook VIP Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final
Click here for full racecard and form
I’m going for Melrose Boy for my first choice, with Harry Fry’s horse finishing third last month at the same course in a Grade 3 behind Golan Fortune and Topofthegame.
It was a really solid run in a competitive race and that form gives him a really live chance on Saturday.
I think when you compare his last outing against the most recent runs of those around him in the betting – namely Indian Hawk – the level of form he’s achieved recently is far greater and therefore I believe he should be market leader.
2.05 Wolverhampton - sunbets.co.uk Lincoln Trial Handicap
Click here for full racecard and form
Big Country is the horse for me in this. He’s a really talented animal, he’s two from two on the All Weather and he ran stormers in some very big field, competitive handicaps last year.
He’s a very likable type who will take a lot of beating at a decent price.
3.15 Wolverhampton - sunbets.co.uk Lady Wulfruna Stakes
Click here for full racecard and form
He may be an even money favourite and not that original, but I think Second Thought will win. He’s won all five of his outings on the All Weather and will have Ryan Moore on board as he bids for a sixth.
Trainer William Haggas was victorious with Headway at Lingfield last weekend and I’m backing Second Thought to bring successive weekend cheer.
3.35 Sandown - Matchbook Racing Is Commission Free Handicap Chase
Click here for full racecard and form
Shanroe Santos is a course and distance winner in the past and won this race last year. Lucy Wadham’s nine-year-old bounced back from being pulled up at Sandown in February to win on heavy at Carlisle a couple of weeks later, seeing out that race really well.
He's a strong stayer and on the back of that win as well as his triumph 12 months ago I think he will go very close on Saturday.
- Oli will present Saturday’s The Opening Show on ITV4 at 9.30am before coverage of four races at Sandown and two at Wolverhampton gets under way on the same channel from 2pm.
- The Opening Show will be on ITV4 at 9.30am on every morning of the Festival, with the afternoon’s racing starting at 1pm on the main channel.
