Racing Only... Bettor: Top tips from our experts on a big weekend of Grade 1 racing

It's another cracking Betfair sponsored weekend at Sandown with the Betfair Tingle Creek taking centre stage along with a belting edition of the Grade 1 John Durkin Chase at Punchestown and our team on the Racing Only...Bettor Podcast are here to mark your card.

Below is a summary of their bets but listen to the show to find out more.

Sandown Saturday

13:50 Planteur at Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m

Dan: I think this is a cracking edition of this Grade 1. Phoenix Way does interest me at the prices but it's a race that I'll be savouring.
Tony: Tamaroc Du Mathan could be overlooked. He does have the most to find of the 6 runners but he is cleary the only betting option for me.
Kevin: GA Law has been very good so far over fences. I don't think he has to lead and at the prices I would be siding with him.

14:25 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) 2m

Kevin: Altior has only been beaten once over fences, so he clearly sets the standard. The ground could be a bit more testing than he would ideally like. This would be a watching race from a betting point-of-view but I can't wait to watch this.
Tony: In many respects this is the perfect Exchange race. I will be looking to lay Altior here. He's rising 11. I spoke to Nico de Boinville and I didn't get massively positive about Altior's chances here. I wouldn't rule out Castlegrace Paddy at a bigger price either.
Dan: Greaneteen has 19lbs to find with Altior on official ratings but it will all depend on what Altior turns up here. I think Greaneteen is the one with the star potential outside of the favourite.

15:00 Betfair Exchange Back and Lay London National (Handicap Chase) 3m 4 1/2f

Tony: I toyed with putting up Crosspark with Betfair paying 3 places here and that would be the way that I would play this race.
Dan: I'm definitely with Crosspark. Cloudy Glen is on a career high mark in what is a deeper race than last time. The key with Crosspark is that he is stepping back up in trip and I think he is a bet.

15:35 Betfair Exchange December Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m

Tony: I can't believe that Jollys Cracked It won't be in the top 3. He ran a cracking race last time and the conditions will suit him. I can see him cruising to 2 out and going on from there.
Dan: There could be a huge pace collapse here and it could fall into the lap of a closer. Eglantine Du Seuil is one that could run a big race.
Kevin: There's a big race in Eglantine Du Seuil and I would be annoyed if she won and I didn't put her up.

Aintree Saturday

13:30 The Becher Chase (Handicap) 3m 3f

Kevin: Le Breuil is a really interesting one here. He won the NH Chase at Cheltenham in 2019 and he ticks an awful lot of boxes here.
Tony: I agree with Kevin. Le Breuil has an awful lot going for him. He looks like that he is teed up for this race. The trip & conditions will not pose a problem to him and I just like the way that he has been brought along to run here.
Dan: I'm going to go with Smooth Stepper. He's an out and out stayer and he's 4x the price of the favourite.

14:05 Fillies Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) 2m

Tony: This race has a lot of depth to it and I will be looking to lay Megan.
Kevin: Joseph (O'Brien) has had this race in mind for Scholastic for a long time and this will be her best chance to gain some black type here. I would also keep an eye on Army Of One. Gaving Cromwell has won this race a couple of times and first time out she can go well.
Dan: I'm amazed that Bellatrixsa is such a big price. She looks all stamina and will handle the ground without an issue.

14:40 Many Clouds Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f

Dan: Santini should win but the price doesn't excite me.
Kevin: I'm going with Native River to handle the conditions better than Santini.

15:15 The Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 2m 5f

Tony: I've had a bet in the race and it's Flying Angel. He was 11/4 favourite for this race last year. I think the trip and the ground will be right up his street.
Dan: Touch Kick could be over priced at 16/1.

Punchestown Sunday

13:10 Voler La Vadette Novices' Hurdle (Listed) 2m 3 1/2f

Tony: Botani at an e/w price could be good bet against a short-priced favourite in the shape of Finest Evermore.

13:40 John Durkan Memorial Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Kevin: This really is such a good race. We are unlikely to get a better race this side of Cheltenham. Min is a really top-class horse and if he's fit and well it will be tough for the rest to get near him.
Tony: I think Min at 5/2 is betting material and if I was going to have a bet it would be him.

Cork Sunday

13:25 Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2) 2m

Kevin: This should be a straight forward task for Chacun Pour Soi as he builds towards Christmas.

Huntingdon Sunday

14:25 Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

Dan: I think Al Dancer should be favourite. The ground will not be an issue but it won't suit the likes of Mister Fisher.
Tony: If Paul Nicholls trained Nuts Well he would be favourite. He's in good form and progressive and can go well.

Kelson Sunday

15:20 Persimmon Homes Scottish National (Handicap Chase) 4m

Tony: I came down on Just Your Type and looks the most likely winner.