Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 22/1 Aintree fancy

• Katie Midwinter has selections across the cards

• Defending champion can bounce back in the Betfair Tingle Creek

• Likeable grey could strike again over the National fences

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Sandown, 12:43 - Back Looking As You Are @ 9/25.50

Six-year-old mare Looking As You Are made a pleasing reappearance when second to White Noise at Market Rasen last month and, from an unchanged mark of 115, should be able to put in another competitive performance. She's only 3lb higher than her previous win at Ludlow in February, putting her in with strong claims at the weights in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap.

This distance should suit considering she's a dual winner over 2m5f and the other success of her career to date came over a similar trip, too. Although she has the ability to perform over shorter and further, this intermediate distance appears to be her optimum and she is still yet to be fully exposed. 

Making only her tenth start over obstacles, the Alex Hales-trained contender is one to note under Bryan Carver. She has plenty in her favour with the benefit of race fitness, too, and can pose a threat.

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Chepstow, 13:04 - Back Classic Concorde E/W @ 22/123.00

Course-and-distance winner Classic Concorde cannot be discounted at this track despite being a 12-year-old coming into the race on the back of a few disappointing efforts. The likeable veteran proved in February here that he still retains ability when fourth to J'Ai Froid in a competitive handicap hurdle. 

This is another tough race but at a lower class, and he is capable of putting in another good effort, particularly should the forecast rain arrive. Testing conditions have suited the gelding in the past and he has won over this distance here in heavy ground. He's now only 1lb above his last winning mark at the track and warrants each-way consideration for owner-trainer David Brace. 

The son of Shantou, who is making his 67th career start under Jack Hogan, is no stranger to outrunning his odds and, from a 3lb lower mark than his excellent run here last winter, can make his presence felt in familiar surroundings.

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Sandown, 13:20 - Back Ikarak @ 6/17.00

Ikarak displayed a great attitude to beat Spike Jones at Lingfield on his return to action last month, showing great tenacity late on to prevail by a nose.

Sent off as the 13/82.63 favourite that day, the seven-year-old dug deep to land his second win of the year having been successful at Warwick in January. He's now 4lb higher than his latest win, 10lb higher than when landing his first Warwick victory on reappearance last year.

Trained by Olly Murphy, Ikarak appears the yard's second string in this contest with Sean Bowen aboard the shorter-priced Chasing Fire, however, Gavin Sheehan is a great substitute to the champion jockey and could guide the son of Karaktar to a promising position.

This is only his seventh start for the yard and he could be capable of showing further improvement. Should Ikarak be able to take a step forward from his recent run, he could defy the further rise in the weights and add another success to his record at odds of 6/17.00.

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Navan, 13:42 - Back Fascile Mode @ 4/15.00

Walk In The Park gelding Fascile Mode put in an eye-catching effort when running on well behind Marble Sands in a competitive Cheltenham handicap chase last month, and, now back over hurdles, can put in another good performance under returning rider Danny Mullins. 

Trained by Tom Mullins, the seven-year-old is on a potentially workable mark from a rating of 133, only 4lb higher than when second at odds of 33/134.00 in a Listed contest at the Galway Festival during the summer. He's without the 3lb claim of Jake Coen, but has proven his credentials in tough company since, albeit over the larger obstacles. 

A versatile performer, Fascile Mode should be suited by this staying test on his return over timber and makes the most appeal holding a strong chance at odds of 4/15.00.

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Sandown, 13:50 - Back Be Aware @ 4/15.00

Lulamba made a solid start to his chasing career and is the one to beat on potential in this field, however, he faces some formidable opponents and Be Aware makes the most appeal from the opposition. 

The six-year-old grey, who is following a similar path to talented stablemate L'Eau du Sud, has appeared twice over fences this season, winning well on chasing debut at Stratford before finding exciting prospect July Flower too good at Cheltenham. 

He lost little in defeat in the Arkle Trial at last month's November Meeting, beaten only by an extremely promising Henry de Bromhead-trained representative, and, whilst this is a step up in Grade, he has amassed valuable experience and has proven he possesses plenty of talent. 

As a hurdler, Be Aware shaped with promise for Dan Skelton, putting in competitive efforts in defeat against the likes of Kamsinas, Helnwein and Burdett Road, including in valuable, tricky handicaps. 

The best could be yet to come from Be Aware as a chaser, and, having already shown to be a capable jumper of a fence, he could pose a serious threat to the warm favourite.

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Navan, 14:17 - Back Search For Glory E/W @ 12/113.00

Search For Glory shaped with plenty of promise as a novice hurdler, placing third to Good Land in a Leopardstown maiden, when ahead of Embassy Gardens, as well finishing third to Monty's Star in a Grade Three at Clonmel, when beaten only a length-and-a-half with subsequent Grade One winner Hiddenvalley Lake in second. 

He managed to land two Grade Three contests of his own over timber before embarking on his chasing career, beating Sa Majeste by eight-lengths on his debut over fences before being narrowly denied by stablemate Stellar Story in a Punchestown Grade Two when perhaps the one to take from that race.

Stellar Story recently finished third in the Betfair Chase and is a 154-rated chaser, whereas Search For Glory is on a mark of 140 in this Listed handicap. 

Search For Glory makes appeal at the weights from a potentially lenient mark considering some of the form he has shown in the past, including a third-placed finish to Impaire Et Passe in a Limerick Grade One last Christmas. 

His form over the past year has left a lot to be desired, but he wasn't disgraced when seventh in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, despite being beaten 20-lengths by runaway winner Myretown, and he's entitled to come on for his recent return here, although he won when fresh last season. 

It's too early to give up on the eight-year-old, who is a talented performer on his day. James Smith claims 5lb in the saddle further easing his weight, and, should he be able to return to some form, Search For Glory could pose a considerable threat to the rest of the field.

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Aintree, 14:40 - Back Bill Baxter @ 13/27.50

A tough winner of the Topham Chase here in 2023, when outrunning odds of 20/121.00 to beat Fantastic Lady, Bill Baxter was unfortunate to unseat early on when sent off at a price of 13/27.50 for the following renewal.

He had shown a great liking for the fences in his victory here previously, and the return to this track should allow him to thrive following a promising second on his return to action last month. 

When last seen, the likeable grey finished second only to the progressive Haiti Couleurs, with the pair both appearing over hurdles. Bill Baxter made a mistake late on at the final flight, handing the race to the eventual winner, but emerged with credit and should be able to take a step forward for the run.

In his penultimate start, the Warren Greatrex-trained contender was hugely impressive when recording a 12-length victory at the Punchestown Festival for which he is now 13lb higher rated. Whilst he faces a stiffer task at the weights here, he's only 6lb higher than his Topham win and has a couple of years of experience in his favour. 

Holding solid claims with proven form in softer conditions should the ground become testing, Bill Baxter can put in a bold bid for an in-form yard under Sam Twiston-Davies.

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Aintree, 14:40 - Back Mahons Glory E/W @ 22/123.00

Likeable gelding Mahons Glory put in a great effort from the front in the Grand Sefton here last month, appearing to take a liking to this new challenge when a joy to watch springing over the fences. He's 1lb lower this time and, although he has stamina to prove, should put in another competitive effort if able to settle and get into a rhythm early on. 

Often in his races, the nine-year-old has been keen, racing exuberantly which has hampered his chances on occasion, but he has been in good form since joining Dylan Cunha, bar one effort in a match race at Wetherby, and is back on his last winning mark of 134. 

Appearing to be improving still with age and experience, Mahons Glory remains unexposed in handicap company over fences in only his tenth start over the larger obstacles. He has shown good form in the past, including when second to Hyland as a novice chaser, and there could be more to come from him.

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Sandown, 15:00 - Back Jonbon @ 16/54.20

A dual winner of the race, consistent performer Jonbon can achieve a record-equalling hat-trick under Nico de Boinville despite suffering defeat in both of his previous two races. 

He hadn't lost twice in a row prior to a 15-length defeat by L'Eau du Sud at Cheltenham last month, but had some excuses that day with the softening ground in torrential rain and should fare better on his return to Sandown. 

Prior to his loss to Il Etait Temps in the Celebration Chase last season, Jonbon was unbeaten at this track. He had put in multiple solid performances here, and this venue appeared to suit better than Cheltenham. 

In his previous run here, however, he wasn't quite on song and didn't appear to be on a going day. Il Etait Temps impressed on the back of an absence and deserved the plaudits, but Jonbon again had some excuses after a busy season and didn't give his true running. 

He has made some slight errors at some of his fences in recent runs as well as a shuddering mistake which scuppered his chances in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and the application of first-time cheekpieces could help sharpen him up slightly. Whilst he may not be quite as formidable as in his younger days, he is still a Grade One performer who has achieved great success throughout his career. 

This could be one of his greatest achievements should he be able to beat a field which includes a pair of progressive, younger rivals, both of whom have beaten him in recent runs, and he will need to be at his best to do so. 

At the prices, the Nicky Henderson-trained star makes the most appeal and could achieve redemption at his beloved Sandown.

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Sandown, 15:35 - Back Rivers Corner @ 7/18.00

Joe Tizzard-trained Rivers Corner is unexposed in only his fifth chasing start and put in a decent effort on his reappearance at Exeter last month. He finished third to promising stablemate U Cant Be Serious on that occasion, in his first run following a 240-day break, staying on strongly late on over a trip likely shy of his optimum. 

The step back up in distance should suit considering he has won a testing ground extended three mile hurdle in the past, and he's only 6lb higher than his last winning mark. 

With the scope for further improvement, the seven-year-old, who represents an in-form stable under Brendan Powell, could be capable of springing a small surprise and warrants consideration at a price of 7/18.00.

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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