Horse racing tips: Lingfield, Newcastle and Musslelburgh- Matt Chapman’s top betting preview for racing on ITV4 on Easter Weekend
Get all the info to bash the bookies as ITV's Matt Chapman runs you through the racing on Good Friday and Saturday.
FOR most Easter is a time of rest and chocolate eating, but not for racing people and I'm all over the place for ITV, starting at Lingfield on Good Friday and then Musselburgh Saturday.
Let's get straight into the Friday action, which is not only from Lingfield but Newcastle as well.
The first race shown on ITV4 from Lingfield is the conditions stakes over nearly 2m at 2.00pm. I like RED VERDON for Ed Dunlop, although his stamina has to be taken on trust. He's a horse who has run behind Harzand in the Derby and Highland Reel in a Coronation Cup. Not many in here could do that. James Doyle might have pace on his side.
The 2.30pm is a fillies' and mares' conditions event over 7f. SUMMER ICON is held by one or two on form, but she's got a good draw for Mick Channon and stays up to a mile so should finish off well. She has an each-way chance.
Matt Chapman's Good Friday TV Tips
At 3.05pm it's the sprint conditions stakes over 6f. Ideally GIFTED MASTER might like a bit further, but he has a good draw here and might be hard to catch from the front for Hugo Palmer and Doyle once again.
There's a 3yo conditions stakes over 6f at 3.40pm. CORINTHIA KNIGHT could be slightly better drawn than in stall 6 for Archie Watson, but there's no doubt this horse is the improver in the field and comes here top rated. Oisin Murphy is a plus and should take all the beating in a big for a four-timer.
Back to 1m at 4.10pm for another conditions event. Should be another for Doyle here with SECOND THOUGHT, who has already been in great form for William Haggas. My only worry is stall 1, which is a fabulous box if you break well, but not so good if you don't. The Doyler will have to be on his guard when the gates open.
Finally at Lingfield it's the Classic over 1m2f at 4.40pm. UTMOST is not the best horse in this race, but of the fancied runners not many want to go on the front end, and Johnny G's hope is quite happy doing that. If he gets an easy lead he might just be hard to peg back.
Over at Newcastle, and ITV show the 2.45pm, a 7f handicap. One hard to keep out the frame will be TADAAWOL, who didn't run that well at Doncaster last time but who will enjoy being back on this surface. He is fit and well for Ben Sanderson who knows the horse, and Roger Fell.
ITV also show the 1m4f handicap at 3.20pm. Off 96 AL HAMDANY is right in the grip of the handicapper, but he should still put up a bold show for Marco Botti and John Egan. A good draw helps to save a length or two and he gets the trip and should enjoy the track.
Finally at Newcastle ITV show the Listed event over 1m at 3.55pm. PURSER has a bit to find for Johnny G here, but he's open to improvement and stays a mile well which will help against some suspect stayers. He won at Lingfield on artificial which is also a positive.
So best of luck and let's hope for a Good Friday!
2.25 Musselburgh - Alpha Delphini
3.00 Musselburgh - Fake News
3.35 Musselburgh - Time To Study
Finally at Musselburgh prepare for the big Queen's Cup handicap over 1m6f at 3.35pm. TIME TO STUDY is high in the weights, but he has a good box in stall four and got better and better last season other than a blip in the Cesarewitch. He might just take some pegging back for Mark Johnston.
So I'm concentrating on the Flat over the next 48 hours. Let's hope for some Yeeehaaas. You Betcha!