Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 35/1 Sandown fancy

• Katie Midwinter has fancies at four venues on a busy Saturday

• Top weight is the bet of the day in competitive Sandown handicap

• Mondo Man should take all of the beating in Betfair Imperial Cup

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Sandown, 13:50 - Back Gentleman Toboot E/W @ 8/19.00

Top weight Gentleman Toboot appears well treated from a mark of 131 considering some of the form he has shown during his career so far. He's two from three over hurdles and has beaten multiple talented rivals in six starts under Rules, as well as in his sole point appearance.

In his point win, the son of Harzand beat now 125-rated Gaelic Pride by 12-lengths with now 131-rated Strong Link, a subsequent bumper winner over Thedeviluno, who has also finished second to Grade One winner I'll Sort That, further behind in fourth.

On Rules debut in a Newton Abbot bumper, the David Pipe-trained prospect chased home subsequent Formby Novices' Hurdle winner Idaho Sun, now rated 142, with now 126-rated Supreme Malinas in second and Kripticjim, a four-time winner since now rated 135, behind in fourth.

In recent outings, Gentleman Toboot has beaten the likes of A Pai De Nom, one of the current favourites for the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival on a mark of 129, and Klub De Reve, the recent Dovecote winner who has achieved a mark of 132.

Considering the way the form has worked out for Gentleman Toboot, it's possible he's a Graded horse in a handicap, and, although he'll need to improve on his disappointing effort when last seen, he is worthy of another chance and represents value at the prices.

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Wolverhampton, 14:05 - Back Kullazain @ 5/23.50

Course-and-distance winner Kullazain made a successful first start as a gelding in his penultimate appearance at the track, and, from only a 4lb higher mark, could return to the winners' enclosure in familiar surroundings.

His mark of 88 is unchanged following a third-placed effort at Kempton, in which he raced quite keenly and lacked cover. He was beaten only a length-and-a-half by El Bodon in a run worth forgiving, and can get back on track under Luke Morris.

This is only his 12th career start, and there could be plenty of further improvement to come from the son of Hello Youmzain, who has shaped with promise in recent outings. He's a horse to keep onside in current form, dropping in class here, and holds leading claims for James Tate, who enjoyed a 26 percent success-rate at this venue last year.

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Sandown, 14:27 - Back Mondo Man @ 11/43.75

Gary and Josh Moore-trained Mondo Man was an eyecatching addition to the National Hunt ranks when joining his current yard, having shown a good level of ability on the Flat in France. 

He placed at Group Three and Listed level earlier in his career, as well as finishing fifth in the Prix du Jockey Club won by Look De Vega, and achieving a fourth-placed finish in the King Edward VII Stakes won by Calandagan.

Last year, he finished second to Lulamba on his first start over obstacles at Ascot, sent off at odds of 15/82.88, before finishing third to Mambonumberfive in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton. A hood was applied on the keen-going type in the Triumph, but he was unable to make any impression on that occasion at Cheltenham. 

In the Group Three Ormonde Stakes, the son of Mondialiste was beaten only three-lengths by Illinois in a decent effort on his return to the Flat, before returning over hurdles in the autumn. He has finished second in novice company this term, before achieving a fourth-placed finish in a competitive handicap hurdle at Ascot, and was able to shed his maiden tag by a comfortable 33-lengths when last seen. 

On an unchanged mark of 123, Mondo Man appears still potentially well handicapped. He is yet to show his best over hurdles, still learning on the job and with experience. This could be his time to strike in a big handicap, having had the benefit of experience when behind Wilful earlier in the season, and, if able to settle and get into a good rhythm, could be too good for his rivals, capable of showing further progression.

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Sandown, 14:27 - Back Gibbs Island E/W @ 35/136.00

Five-year-old gelding Gibbs Island is another who can often race too keenly, but the best could be yet to come from him too over obstacles. He was a useful performer on the Flat when trained in Ireland by Andy Oliver, and has enjoyed three successes for Tom Lacey so far.

The son of Iffraaj won both of his first two starts over hurdles before lining up at odds of 28/129.00 in the Triumph at Cheltenham. He was much too keen to make any impression in that competitive Grade One, and couldn't improve much on the effort in a first-time hood at Aintree either, but returned in good order with a convincing win at the beginning of this season. 

Gibbs Island is now only 2lb higher than his last winning mark on a rating of 134, and, with a hood re-equipped for the first time this season here, could improve on his latest efforts.

Things haven't panned out favourably for him yet since his successful reappearance, but he could be worth keeping the faith in at a big price, capable of putting in a competitive effort on a going day under regular rider Stan Sheppard.

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Wolverhampton, 14:42 - Back Kingdom Come @ 7/18.00

Kingdom Come made a successful return to action following a 114-day break when last seen at Kempton, beating Popmaster comfortably enough by half-a-length. He has gone up 3lb for the win, but that may not be enough to deter him as he bids to go a couple of places better than when third in the contest last year from a 4lb higher rating.

Representing trainer Clive Cox, who has enjoyed three winners and a close second from his previous four runners, there's plenty in Kingdom Come's favour as he bids for a sixth career success. He has an in-form, familiar rider aboard too in the form of Rossa Ryan, currently performing at a 50 percent strike-rate, and has winning course-and-distance form.

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Gowran Park, 15:08 - Back Rebel Gold @ 7/24.50

Top weight Rebel Gold holds each-way claims for Patrick Foley in this contest on the back of two placed efforts over hurdles. He finished third to Downmexicoway over fences here earlier in the season, before reverting back over hurdles, placing third in both of his latest two runs at Naas in 13-runner and 16-runner fields, respectively.

The veteran is on an unchanged mark of 109 in the hands of 7lb claiming Alan O'Sullivan, and, although vulnerable to a younger improver at the grand age of 13, has valuable experience in his favour as well as proven course form.

Suited by conditions and proven over the trip, Rebel Gold warrants consideration in current form having been running well so far this term. He's 30lb below his last winning chase mark, when beating Dont Go Yet at Wexford last spring, 7lb below his last winning handicap hurdle mark, and is a Grade Three winner capable of holding his own in this contest.

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Wolverhampton, 15:15 - Back Cool Hoof Luke @ 2/13.00

Andrew Balding-trained Cool Hoof Luke is entitled to take a step forward for his return to action at Lingfield in January. He finished a length-and-a-quarter third to Diligent Harry in Listed company on that occasion, returning from a 526-day layoff.

It was a pleasing return to action in his first appearance since winning the 2024 Gimcrack Stakes in which he beat the likes of Shadow Of Light, Big Mojo and Camille Pissarro in the hands of Oisin Murphy, who returns in the saddle.

An extremely gifted juvenile, if Cool Hoof Luke can return to the form of old or show that he still retains all of his ability, with the scope perhaps for even further improvement, he should prove tough to beat in this contest. 

The son of Advertise has only been tried once over the 7f trip when keen in the Group Two Vintage Stakes behind Aomori City, but he's worth trying again over this distance and there's enough evidence in his pedigree to suggest an extra furlong is within his capabilities.

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Gowran Park, 15:43 - Back Onlymammycanloveme E/W @ 8/19.00

Another contender carrying top weight that makes appeal on the Gowran Park card is Seamus Neville-trained Onlymammycanloveme, who must bounce back from a disappointing pulled up effort at Fairyhouse over fences but a return to hurdling could help him fare better.

He is unexposed in handicaps but did finish a decent fourth to Mercury Mission from a 1lb higher mark at Wexford last spring, and could find more luck from a workable rating back in this sphere.

The seven-year-old featured in maiden hurdles won by C'Est Ta Chance and Final Demand last season, before finishing a five-length third to subsequent Grade One winner I'll Sort That, now rated 142, and the promising Theflyingking in a Fairyhouse bumper. His form has been inconsistent since, but he remains a horse of interest who could be capable of showing further progression.

Having coped with softer conditions in the past over 2m3f to win his maiden at Clonmel, this assignment should suit the gelding, who can put in a bold bid in the hands of in-form rider JJ Slevin.

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Chelmsford, 18:30 - Back Epictetus E/W @ 10/111.00

Jamie Osborne-trained Epictetus makes appeal in this 7f Chelmsford handicap. He wasn't disgraced when third to City Of God in a seller over a mile at the track last month, but could fare better this time around with blinkers reapplied.

The six-year-old has dropped to a low mark of 79 having once been rated as highly as 113 after a Grade Three win over Nostrum, following on from an Epsom Listed success earlier during his three-year-old campaign.

Whilst he isn't quite at that level these days, he has still shown he possesses some ability on occasion and was able to place in a competitive handicap from a mark of 91, as well as finishing fifth to Local Hero form the same mark at Kempton.

When last equipped with blinkers, the son of Kingman was only narrowly denied by three-quarters-of-a-length at Wolverhampton from a 4lb higher rating. He has the ability to pose a threat in this 6-runner field, and could be worth keeping the faith in.

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Chelmsford, 19:00 - Back Tyger Bay E/W @ 15/28.50

Course-and-distance winner Tyger Bay often runs well at this venue and should be forgiven for a disappointing effort at Kempton when last seen off the back of a break, capable of performing better this time around.

Over the past year, the Conrad Allen-trained gelding has recorded form figures of 1242 at this track over the 6f trip, including when narrowly beaten in a higher class contest in December. He was sent off at odds of 14/115.00 in his latest run here, in a series final, putting in a brilliant effort to be beaten on the line by eventual winner Justcallmepete.

Having shown his capabilities in tough contests, Tyger Bay holds leading claims from a mark of 74, and should be able to pose a threat under Jack Gillgan.

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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