ITV Racing tips: one key runner from the six races on ITV on Saturday

1.50 Sandown
bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle, 2m

Grade 2 bumper winner Knappers Hill was back on track with a victory at Newton Abbot seven days ago and quickly reappears off a potential workable rating. He will face stiff competition from a host of improving horses such as the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Head Law, who bids for a four-timer.

SPOTLIGHT TIP:Knappers Hill

Bumper exploits (3-3) make for very good reading, as do flashes of his form over hurdles, including a third to Jonbon in an Ascot Grade 2 in December; encouraging to see him make the most of a straightforward task at Newton Abbot last week and that made it 4-4 on good ground; big player.

2.05 Haydock
Great Shevington Handicap, 7f

Off the track since July 2020, four-time Group 2 winner Sir Dancealot makes his return, now trained by the red-hot John Butler yard. If he is anywhere near his best, he is extremely well-handicapped, but this is devilishly competitive. Oh This Is Us is another fan favourite, but the likes of Rhoscolyn and Oo De Lally could prove too progressive for the older horses in this.

SPOTLIGHT TIP:Alrehb

Unraced on turf and has had just a neck to spare when winning over 7f on AW the last twice; however, this well-bred, very lightly raced 5yo is climbing the weights only slowly and could have more left in the tank.

2.25 Sandown
bet365 Oaksey Chase, 2m6½f

Mister Fisher has form figures of 11121 in Grade 2 company and the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old looks to have been found a good opportunity to enhance that strike-rate. It will not be totally smooth sailing, however, as the classy trio of Saint Calvados, Nuts Well and Erne River all have a big role to play if they are at their best. The latter, Erne River, was well-fancied for an Aintree Grade 1 last time, and he is the unexposed quantity.

SPOTLIGHT TIP:Saint Calvados

Finished third in the King George on stable/seasonal debut, shaping as if he retains plenty of ability; has not built on that effort in two subsequent runs but looks interesting on these terms back down in grade; peak form (second in the 2020 Ryanair) gives him a big chance.

2.45 Leicester
EBF Stallions King Richard III Stakes (Listed), 7f

Charlie Appleby and William Buick have been a deadly duo in recent weeks and Path Of Thunder could be another pattern winner for Godolphin. Running well in Meydan over the winter, he should be fully tuned up, but he will need to be against Happy Power. He went down by less than a length in Listed company at Wolverhampton in March and that form sets the standard. Aratus, who has won four of his five starts, is another fascinating contender.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Aratus

Beaten only on debut, showing useful form to rattle off hat-trick in novice and two handicaps last summer; gave the impression there was better still to come when justifying favouritism at Goodwood (7f, good) on his final start (subsequently gelded); handles quick ground and commands plenty of respect after eight months off.

3.00 Sandown
bet365 Celebration Chase, 1m7½f

Greaneteen powered away with this race twelve months ago and has been in career-best form this season, winning the Tingle Creek back in December. He was well below his best at Leopardstown when last seen, but he arrives fresh and he is certainly the one to beat. Nube Negra was 12 lengths behind him in that race but his freshness makes him particularly dangerous, with form figures of 12121 over fences on the back of 50-day breaks.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Greaneteen

Trailed home last (something probably amiss) in the Dublin Chase 11 weeks ago then subsequently had treatment for an ulcer on his eye, causing him to not be ready for the Champion Chase; recorded his best two performances over C&D, namely wins in this race last year and the Tingle Creek in December; leading contender if he turns up in that form.

3.32 Sandown
bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase, 3m5f

Christian Williams has been the man to follow on ITV Saturdays of late and he has a trio of big chances in the final big handicap of the British season. Win My Wings ran away with the Scottish Grand National last time, but a 14lb rise makes things tougher and Cap Du Nord may also be handicapped to his peak. Kitty’s Light, who has played second-fiddle to both this season, was very unlucky in this race twelve months ago and in the first-time cheekpieces, this could be his day in the sun. Last year’s eventual winner Potterman, and first past the post Enrilo, are also back to stake their claim.

Kitty's Light: is one of the leading contenders in the bet365 Gold CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

SPOTLIGHT TIP:Kitty's Light

Promoted to second in this race last year, having been hampered by Enrilo towards the finish; runner-up four times since, no match for stablemate Win My Wings in the Scottish National most recently but now gets a 12lb pull and may also be helped by first-time cheekpieces; big player.

ITV7 tips and predictions

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Race 1, 1.50 Sandown: KNAPPERS HILL
Race 2, 2.05 Haydock: ALREHB
Race 3, 2.25 Sandown: SAINT CALVADOS
Race 4, 2.45 Leicester: ARATUS
Race 5, 3.00 Sandown: GREANETEEN
Race 6, 3.32 Sandown: KITTY'S LIGHT

Saturday's race previews . . .

1.50 Sandown: 'He's going the right way' - key quotes and analysis for novices' hurdle final

2.05 Haydock: Can progressive Alrehb complete a hat-trick on his first start on turf?

2.25 Sandown: Does classy novice Erne River have what it takes to down his older rivals?

3.00 Sandown: 'It's very important' - Skelton hoping for Grade 1 breakthrough with Nube Negra

3.32 Sandown: 'I can't split them' - Christian Williams on his exciting bet365 Gold Cup trio

Bet365 Gold Cup analysis: 'Go go go - she might just put the pedal to the metal when the lights are out' (£)

4.46 Navan: Dual Irish St Leger star Search For A Song makes comeback in Vintage Crop