ITV racing tips and previews (Saturday 25th April 2026)

The Jumps season comes to a close at Sandown on Saturday and it would be great to see Jonbon go out on a high!

He has been an amazing horse for connections and with no Il Etait Temps this year he should prove tough to beat in the Celebration Chase.

There is also Flat action from both Leicester and Haydock live on the channel and I have previewed every single race in detail including main dangers to my selections and any each way bets that are worth a saver.

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ITV Racing (Friday) tips

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for ITV Racing on Saturday (25th April)

Find my top tips for Saturday 25th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Sandown 1.45 bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 1m7f216y

Kadastral failed to live up to market expectations when only fourth at odds-on at Uttoxeter last month. He didn’t jump well and weakened quite alarmingly so I am somewhat surprised to see him favourite for this.

He could be well handicapped but little value in his current price. I prefer COSMIC CONNECTION for Chris Gordon who arrives having won 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles. His defeat came at the hands of Hurricane Pat so he has the best form on offer here.

Minella Yoga has also won 2 from 3 for Nicholls and did impress winning as expected at Taunton last time. He will be fit and is open to further improvement now handicapping so shouldn’t be underestimated.

Wilstar is on a hat-trick and with Sean Bowen on is another one who should be in the mix.

🏇 Bet on COSMIC CONNECTION Each Way at 6/1 with Betfred 🏇

Leicester 2.05 Caffreys Black Stout King Richard III Cup Handicap (Class 2) 6f

This is a wide open sprint and it is hard to rule any out with confidence. I do like ZOULU CHIEF though and think he’ll give us a good run for our money. He is still just a 5yo and shaped well in defeat beaten just four lengths at Lingfield when last seen.

He has been freshened up and back on turf could have further progress to come now. Billy Loughnane has been booked again and I’ll be backing him each way and in the place market.

Fast Track Harry is likely to go off favourite despite that blip last time and remains unexposed so shouldn’t be discounted. Berkshire Whisper ran a very promising race to finish third behind Wiltshire on return and is another one expected to be bang in the mix here.

🏇 Bet on ZOULU CHIEF Each Way at 13/2 with Ladbrokes 🏇

Sandown 2.20 bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) 2m6f164y

No surprise to see BLOW YOUR WAD a warm order for the Oaksey Chase. This is often won by a smart horse with Gaelic Warrior winning it last year for Mullins and this 8yo looked very much back on the up beating Ben Solo at Chepstow last time.

The latter loves that track so for him to beat him convincingly was encouraging. He will appreciate going back up in trip here and if jumping well and getting into a rhythm he is definitely the most likely winner.

Doyen Quest ran a big race at this track when run down by Salver and while he wasn’t at his best at Aintree behind Gold Dancer that wasn’t a bad effort. This is easier and he could emerge as the danger.

Matterhorn bumped into one at Plumpton in the Sussex Champion Handicap Chase last time and is another one to note but he does have a bit to find with the favourite.

🏇 Bet on BLOW YOUR WAD To Win at 15/8 with bet365 🏇

Haydock 2.35 William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap (Class 2) 7f37y

I think there are enough question marks over the market principals here to think KHAFIZ is the best value in the race.

This son of New Bay has only had six starts and was last seen going close at Doncaster beaten just half a length by Rogue Diplomat. He has since joined Ed Bethell who is a trainer I rate and he could be up to going close on return here.

Great Acclaim would have needed that run on return in the Lincoln and if leaving that behind could get involved. Caburn also seems to be going the right way and at a bigger price might be worth an each way saver here as this is fiercely competitive.

🏇 Bet on KHAFIZ Each Way at 5/1 with BoyleSports 🏇

Sandown 2.55 bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f99y

All eyes on JONBON here to see if he can end the season on a high! He has obviously won this race twice before and bumped into subsequent Champion Chase hero Il Etait Temps in this 12 months ago. There is nothing of that calibre in here this time around and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

His record at this track reads 1111122 so clearly goes particularly well at this venue and there was nothing wrong with his second to Heart Wood at the Cheltenham Festival last month. However you look at this he is the one to beat and deserves to be favourite.

Solness ran huge at Aintree only narrowly edged out by Grey Dawning. He is such a tough and likeable horse and he shouldn’t be discounted albeit did look like he had a hard enough race and this is coming soon enough.

Thistle Ask has three lengths to find with the selection but does arrive fresh having skipped Cheltenham and Aintree so it should be a good battle up the Sandown hill in the closing stages.

🏇 Bet on JONBON To Win at 6/4 with Coral 🏇

Sandown 3.30 bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m4f146y

I’m keen to side with MONTREGARD here. It looks like a good decision in hindsight to have sidestepped the Scottish Grand National given how the ground ended up and he looks a big player here with the surface drying out all the time.

He was impressive at Ascot when last seen and has been kept fresh for one of these big targets. I can see him being a big gamble come post time and I’m confident he will take a bit of beating under Stan Sheppard.

I was at Plumpton when Havaila slammed rivals by 21 lengths last year and it is good to see him progress this season winning his last two. He is a big horse who is built for this sort of test and he is definitely a danger.

In D’or is a strong stayer and his form stacks up this season since joining Fergal O’Brien so he is another one I expect to get involved.

🏇 Bet on MONTREGARD Each Way at 5/1 with Ladbrokes 🏇

My top tip for ITV Racing on Saturday

Sandown’s Jumps finale is always a great days racing so both my best bets on ITV Racing on Saturday go there.

BLOW YOUR WAD looks the one to beat in the Oaksey Chase and JONBON should have a great chance of regaining his Celebration Chase crown with the absence of Il Etait Temps.

🏇 Bet a Win Double on BLOW YOUR WAD and JONBON at 6/1 with bet365 🏇

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