Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 16/1 Sandown fancy

• Katie Midwinter has fancies at four tracks including Leopardstown

• The Dublin Racing Festival kicks off in style with four Grade 1 contests

• Defending champion can create history in feature race

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

• Bet £10 get £10 on racing multiples every weekend up to Cheltenham

---

Racing... Only Bettor. Listen to our latest preview including the DRF now.

---

Musselburgh, 13:43 - Back Gibbs Island E/W @ 14/115.00

Gibbs Island warrants each-way consideration at double-figure odds, only 4lb above his previous success when prevailing by five-and-a-half-lengths in good ground at Chepstow on his reappearance in October. He hasn't been in quite the same form in two runs since, including in the Greatwood when carrying a high weight from a mark of 140 as a four-year-old.

The Tom Lacey-trained contender, who was previously a useful performer on the Flat, has softer ground form and landed his maiden on hurdling debut over Surrey Belle at Sedgefield twelve months ago. He doubled up with a dominant six-length win over now 140-rated Give It To Me Oj at Haydock, with 127-rated Lavender Hill Mob in third, impressing to record a fourth win of his career.

This is only his eighth hurdling start and there could be further improvement to come from the five-year-old. He's a likeable type and can make his presence felt from his current rating in this field.

---

Sandown, 15:10 - Back Spike Jones E/W @ 16/117.00

Samuel Drinkwater-trained Spike Jones had been in good form at the beginning of this current campaign, returning from a 296-day break to finish a close second to the talented Ikarak, before being beaten only half-a-length in third by Titan Discovery at Cheltenham.

He fell on New Year's Day on his return to Prestbury Park in a race won by Ma Shantou, but couldn't resume his good run of form when failing to make a significant impression at Windsor in his latest start.

Dropped 2lb for that effort, it may be a run worth forgiving and the nine-year-old may be a horse to keep onside from a workable mark. He's a solid performer on his day and is only 2lb higher than his previous win, with winning form over further in heavy conditions on his record, too. 

Under his usual rider Benjamin Macey, who now claims 5lb in the saddle, Spike Jones shouldn't be discounted and is far from a forlorn hope, making each-way appeal.

---

Lingfield, 15:55 - Back Twilight Jet @ SP

Seven-year-old gelding Twilight Jet is now on a mark of 82, 11lb lower than when just beatn at odds of 33/134.00 in a competitive handicap at the Derby Festival last summer. He hasn't won since a Listed Tipperary success in September 2023 when trained by Michael O'Callaghan, rated 105 that day.

Now residing with Jim and Suzi Best, the son of Twilight Son has been able to put in some competitive efforts to prove he still retains ability, including when third to Buccabay at 28/129.00 in a Kempton contest last month. 

From a low mark, dropping back down in class, Twilight Jet should be able to make his presence felt in this field under William Cox. He was last seen staying on having drifted to the rear at Lingfield behind The Thames Boatman, dropped 2lb for that run, and could be worth keeping the faith in considering the class he possesses on a going day.

---

Please Note:  Saturday's card at Leopardstown has been postponed due to a waterlogged track and will now be staged on Monday. Katie's original tips (seen below) will still stand should the meeting go ahead and we will update prices and market links on Sunday.

Leopardstown, 13:15 - Back Love Me Tender E/W @ 9/110.00

The significant step up in trip could suit Love Me Tender, who has already shaped with promise winning three of his four runs to date, but may have lacked the speed to pose a serious threat to Skylight Hustle in Grade One company at Leopardstown over two miles last month.

He stayed on well into third, far from disgraced in his first try in that company, but shaped as though extra distance is required for him to be seen to best effect.

The son of Doctor Dino won well on debut in a Tramore bumper, before landing an 18-length success in his Kilbeggan maiden hurdle over 2m3f. He comfortably justified odds of 1/41.25 to beat Whimsy in a Tipperary Grade Three before his latest start at Leopardstown in which he emerged with credit over the minimum distance. 

Love Me Tender is out of a 2m3f winning daughter of Poliglote, Ex Fan Des Sixties, who placed at Grade Three level, making him a brother to Kainsbourg, also a Grade Three winner, who beat the promising Strong Link to novice hurdle success at Listowel earlier this term.

His dam is a sister to Fandango, a Listed-placed winner over an extended 2m6f, and a half-sister to Buttercup, another black-type achiever who won over 2m5f, dam of promising filly Manganese, who is currently four from four in her career and landed Listed honours at Doncaster last week.

They are also related to Alary and Musica Bella, both of whom placed in the Prix la Haye Jousselin over an extended 3m3f, with the former also finishing third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris over 3m6f in heavy ground.

There's plenty of stamina as well as the class in his pedigree, and, based on the efforts he has put in so far, this is an assignment that could suit perfectly. Love Me Tender does face stiff opposition, most notably in the form of stablemate Doctor Steinberg, but is unexposed and capable of showing further improvement as he tries this distance for the first time.

---

Leopardstown, 13:50 - Back Mange Tout @ 11/43.75

Gordon Elliott-trained contender Mange Tout makes the most appeal at the prices over favourite Narcisco Has, who has almost three-lengths to find on Fairyhouse form with the Born To Sea filly. She won well in a first-time hood on that occasion, asserting her dominance in the closing stages to claim Grade Three honours at 11/82.38.

The runner-up was likely to come on for the run, on yard debut on the back of 224-day absence, and recorded an impressive 11-length victory in a Leopardstown Grade Two subsequently. However, the 8lb difference in ratings currently appears too big on form shown, and Mange Tout, having had only three career starts to date, remains capable of showing plenty of further progression and confirming the form, in receipt of an extra 4lb this time around.

Mange Tout is a half-sister to top class performer Impaire Et Passe, who thrives in soft ground conditions and was a hugely impressive winner at the Cheltenham Festival during his novice hurdling campaign in which he beat Gaelic Warrior by a comfortable six-and-a-half-lengths. He has since gone on to win four further Grade One contests and has been rated as highly as 160 during his career to date.

Well-bred and on better terms with the favourite than when she beat him earlier this season, Mange Tout could be worth keeping onside as she bids to retain her unbeaten record. Three from three so far, she could make a successful step up into Grade One company under Jack Kennedy, and land a first win in the race for Cullentra since Quilixios' dominant success in 2021.

---

Leopardstown, 14:25 - Back Minella Sixo E/W @ 50/151.00

Equipped with a first-time visor, Minella Sixo is one to note at a price of 50/151.00, too big to ignore as he bids for a third career win.

The Cullentra representative couldn't feature at Fairyhouse when last seen, failing to get involved from the rear of the field, and has been dropped 3lb as a result, now on a mark of 130. Holding each-way claims from his current rating, the seven-year-old has teh ability to be competitive on a going day, still unexposed in handicaps.

The point winner made one chase start during last summer at Galway, when ninth to Intense Approach, but has otherwise shown great promise over flights. He won his maiden hurdle by eight-lengths last term before finishing second to now 154-rated Potters Charm at Cheltenham, pulling 12-lengths clear of third-placed First Confession on that occasion.

A runner-up effort behind Pray Tell in a Cork Grade Three and a creditable third to the promising The Big Westerner in a Grade Two Limerick event followed, in which Mozzies Sister placed second and Fleur In The Park and Prends Garde A Toi were further behind.

Unexposed and from a potential lenient mark considering some of the form he has shown to date, Minella Sixo, who has proven form over the staying trip and has handled softer conditions previously, could be capable of putting in a competitive effort.

---

Leopardstown, 14:25 - Back Littlefoot E/W @ 33/134.00

Despite being 2lb out of the handicap, Littlefoot shouldn't be completely discounted in this field, possessing the knack to outrun huge odds as proven in the past. He has 5lb claimer Patrick O'Brien aboard, carrying a low weight in this competitive staying contest, and warrants each-way consideration at a price of 33/134.00.

The eight-year-old finished second in a competitive Punchestown contest last term, outrunning odds of 80/181.00 to finish second to Thisistheway, before achieving the same finishing position back in handicap company at Tipperary when a 14/115.00 chance.

The son of Milan, who has only a maiden hurdle win to his name so far in 17 starts, hasn't been hugely impressive in his latest two runs, but he could bounce back for Mark Molloy.

---

Leopardstown, 15:30 - Back Galopin Des Champs @ 6/42.50

In a hugely competitive edition of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, defending champion Galopin Des Champs, who is bidding to become the first horse to win four successive renewals, equalling Florida Pearl's tally, is the one to beat.

The legendary 10-year-old suffered his first defeat over fences at this track when last seen finishing third to Affordale Fury. It was a pleasing return to action for the Willie Mullins-trained gelding, however, as he shaped well for a long way on his return from a 242-day break, appearing to be travelling best of all at one stage as they turned for home. He usually comes on for his first outing of the season, and, at his current age, he's likely to take a significant step forward for his latest appearance.

This is his race and he's exceptionally difficult to beat on a going day. He's a Leopardstown specialist, has plenty of proven form in the contest, as is the joint highest-rated along with Inothewayurthinkin. Whilst he faces stiff opposition, Galopin Des Champs is the proven champion and remains the horse to beat, capable of retaining his crown once again under Paul Townend.

---

Leopardstown, 16:05 - Back Golden Joy E/W @ 12/113.00

A first-time visor replaces first-time blinkers which were applied at Naas for Golden Joy. The course-and-distance winner finished fourth in his latest outing at odds of 14/115.00, improving on his pulled up effort at this venue on his return to action last month.

This could be his time to strike from a mark of 130. He's unexposed in handicaps over fences, making on his sixth chasing start, but has already shaped with potential when winning here last spring, beating the likes of Lisnagar Fortune, Maidenstreetprince and Antrim Coast for Godon Elliott.

There could be more to come from Golden Joy, and he is one to note each-way in this competitive 2m1f handicap.

---

Leopardstown, 16:05 - Back Dont Go Yet E/W @ 25/126.00

Despite being a 12-year-old, Dont Go Yet remains a horse to keep onside having performed consistently well in recent campaigns. This season he has recorded form figures of 345, including over fences in two big field handicaps at Fairyhouse and over course-and-distance when last seen. 

The veteran performer finished second twice last spring, following on from a fourth-placed effort from a mark his current mark of 123 in this race, chasing home Rebel Gold at Wexford before outrunning odds of 33/134.00 to finish second to Petit Tonnerre in Listed company at the Punchestown Festival.

The likeable performer has proven he still retains plenty of ability and is far from a forlorn hope, capable of making the frame once again under Philip Donovan for Edward Cawley.

---

Katie's Saturday Racing Multi

Back Mange Tout (13.50 Leopardstown) & Galopin Des Champs (15.30 Leopardstown) 

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis each weekend ahead of the Festival, and the multi that makes the most appeal this Saturday is a Dublin Racing Festival double including Mange Tout and Galopin Des Champs. The former represents value at current odds having beaten the favourite previously, whilst the latter, who needs no introduction, should prove tough to beat considering his excellent record in this race and at the track.

---

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

---