ITV Racing tips: Charlie Huggins' fancies for eight big races at Chepstow and Kempton on Friday
Charlie Huggins found 6-1, 2-1 and 15-8 winners the last time he was on Puzzle duty and has selections in all eight ITV races from Chepstow and Kempton's Premier meetings . . .
1.05 Chepstow
Coral "We're Here For It" Handicap Chase, 2m3½f
Charlie's tip: Can You Call
Four of the rivals Can You Call faced on his seasonal debut at this track and trip have won since and the nine-year-old is now rated 6lb lower than that reappearance after being dropped 3lb for finishing fifth over course and distance last time. Owner William Rucker particularly enjoys a winner on Welsh Grand National day and Evan Williams may have primed Can You Call for this race.
1.20 Kempton
Ladbrokes Play "1-2-Free" On Football Mares' Handicap Hurdle, 3m½f
Charlie's tip: Larchmont Lass
Larchmont Lass won her sole hurdles start on good ground, so conditions should suit here. The six-year-old's last three starts on right-handed tracks have yielded form figures of 113 and she has a nice racing weight of 10st 2lb.
1.40 Chepstow
Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m
Charlie's tip: Opec
Opec would be unbeaten over hurdles had she not fallen when well clear at the second-last at Market Rasen in June. The James Owen-trained filly has made amends since, winning all three of her starts including when beating subsequent Fontwell and Cheltenham scorer Quantock Hills by three and three-quarter lengths. The fact she receives upwards of 2lb from all of her rivals is a bonus.
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1.55 Kempton
Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m
Charlie's tip: Sir Gino
Sir Gino has won all five of his starts by a combined 37 lengths, with the last two of those coming in Grade 1 company. This is no straightforward assignment for his chasing debut but he should have the class to extend his unbeaten record, especially as he receives 6lb from main market rival Ballyburn. Mystical Power and Lossiemouth have already underperformed in Britain for Ballyburn's trainer Willie Mullins this season and 2m around Kempton could be the time to back against last season's Gallagher Novices' Hurdle winner.
2.10 Chepstow
Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Handicap Hurdle, 2m7½f
Charlie's tip: Major Fortune
Major Fortune had won six of his last seven starts before the handicapper had seemingly caught up with him at Cheltenham last time. However, that sixth-placed effort does not look as disappointing as first appeared as the runner-up Long Draw bolted up off 2lb higher at Cheltenham on his next outing and the fourth-placed Wyenot has since won a Listed race by nine lengths. This extra two-and-a-half-furlongs on slower ground will be a big help.
2.30 Kempton
Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2), 2m
Charlie's tip: Martator
The form of Martator's latest victory suggests that he is more than capable of completing a six-timer here. The improving seven-year-old beat Kotmask by 11 lengths at Ascot last time and that runner-up has subsequently gone one better at the same venue, while the seventh-placed Frere D'Armes has also won his sole start since. Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams can combine for another big-race success as their representative receives 12lb and 9lb from chief market rivals Edwardstone and Boothill.
2.50 Chepstow
Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase, 3m6½f
Charlie's tip: Galia Des Liteaux
Galia Des Liteaux is back down to the same rating of 142 as when she finished runner-up in the Classic Chase and the winner of that Warwick marathon contest My Silver Lining franked the form when placing in the Grand National Trial and Midlands Grand National off higher marks. She is also rated 4lb lower than when eighth in last season's Grand National and the Dan Skelton-trained mare will be suited by this marathon trip after finishing a respectable seventh over an inadequate 3m2f in the Coral Gold Cup.
3.08 Kempton
Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Handicap Chase, 3m
Charlie's tip: Beachcomber
Beachcomber finished a place behind Haiti Couleurs when third on his chasing debut at Chepstow and the runner-up has won off higher marks at Aintree and Cheltenham since. In November, the selection also chased home Tightenourbelts, who defied a 3lb rise to follow up by 13 lengths on his next outing, while the fifth-placed Egbert went on to win the more valuable Tommy Whittle Chase. Jonjo and AJ O'Neill enjoyed a double at Aintree on Boxing Day and their representative has to be respected if he can put his blip at Cheltenham, where he was pulled up after jumping to his right last time, behind him.
Read more:
Robbie Wilders' play of the day at Chepstow
2024 Welsh Grand National runners, tips and trainer quotes: David Carr's pinstickers' guide
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