We are getting into the flow of the jump season with the Ladbrokes Champion Chase and the Charlie Hall Chase headling a cracking Saturday of horse racing.

So, let’s not waste any more time. 

Here are my best bets for Saturday’s horse racing, along with the best online bookmakers to place your next winning bet.

Best Saturday horse racing betting tips

• Down Royal 1:35 – Helvic Dream 8/1
• Wetherby 2:22 – Sandor Clegane 7/2
• Wetherby 2:58 – Grey Dawning 9/4
• Ascot 3:45 – Our Power 15/2

Down Royal 1:35 – Eventsec Handicap Hurdle (2m1f)

The Gordon Elliott-trained Kala Conti looks to have been handed more than a favourable mark for her first run in a handicap. But, she must shoulder top weight, which can be challenging for a four-year-old.

HELVIC DREAM has been operating at stakes level on the flat for most of his career. Since transitioning to hurdling, he has had a maiden win at Navan last February and some solid runs in top handicaps.

He comes in here after a third in a listed handicap hurdle at the Listowel Harvest Festival (fourth has won since) and a third in a qualified riders race at the Curragh.

The favourite could be a handicap blot, but with his form and the way he travels throughout his race, this may set up for a horse ridden like Helvic Dream.

He will come late with his challenge, and if they go off too fast up front, there is every chance that Helvic Dream can cut his way through the pack and, at worst, grab a place.

• Current Betting: Kala Conti 11/4, Telecon 7/1, Helvic Dream 8/1, Man O Work 8/1, Harsh 10/1, Lieber Nicc 10/1, Ninth Titan 10/1, 12/1 bar.

Bet on Helvic Dream with Paddy Power

Wetherby 2:22 – Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle (3m)

On quality, this is a poor showing for a Grade 2 hurdle, but Paul Nolan may have found the ideal opportunity to get SANDOR CLEGANE’S head back in front.

Having failed to hit the heights we hoped he would reach over fences (still a maiden), Sandor Clegane has his sights set back over hurdles.

For me, this is the right decision.

When last seen over hurdles, he was a comfortable winner of the Red Mills Series Final at the Punchestown Festival. Before that, he was a staying on third in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, showing that he could be a stayer to follow.

Paul Nolan would not be sending him over here if he wasn’t more than ready to start his season. With a field lacking strength and depth and some using this as a prep run before some big chasing targets, this can end up being a winning start on the road to the Stayers Hurdle for Sandor Clegane.

• Current Betting: Kateria 7/2, Sandor Clegane 7/2, Thunder Rock 9/2, Dashal Drasher 5/1, Twig 9/1, Beacon Edge 14/1, Allmankind 25/1.

Bet on Sandor Clegane with bet365

Wetherby 2:58 – Grade 2 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3m)

We are in for a treat with this vintage renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase.

Bravemansgame and Conflated come in here on what is fair to say, a retrieval mission, and at the prices, you have to take Bravemansgame on.

And I’m taking him on with the Turners Novices’ Chase winner, GREY DAWNING.

I have always had a soft spot for this grey, and last season, he showed what he was capable of with dominant displays at Haydock, Warwick, and Cheltenham.

Only for a shuttering mistake at the second last at the Cheltenham December meeting, he would be coming here with a chase record for four wins from six runs.

The vibes from the Skelton camp have been positive, and with the promise of more to come from Grey Dawning, he can set down his intentions for the coming season today by winning at the first time of asking in open company.

• Current Betting: Bravemansgame 13/8, Grey Dawning 9/4, Conflated 5/1, French Dynamite 10/1, The Real Whacker 16/1, Hang In There 40/1, Sam Brown 66/1.

Bet on Grey Dawning with Betano

Ascot 3:45 – Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3m)

Chanto Classico is a horse that I have a lot of time for, but I am reluctantly taking him on today.

I feel he will have bigger early-season targets ahead of him and may come on for this run. Therefore, I am siding with OUR POWER.

Our Power has not been seen since his fall in the Coral Gold Cup in December, but don’t let the absence put you off because he has a good record when fresh.

He won this race back in 2022 on the back of a 228-day break off a seven-pound lower mark, and he also won at Kempton on the back of a 112-day break off 141.

He comes in here only two pounds higher in weights than he was at Kempton, and with his ability to show his best after a break, he rates as a big player once again.

Our Power should be heavily involved here with ground conditions in his favour.

• Current Betting: Chianti Classico 3/1, Amirite 7/1, Our Power 15/2, Mylesfromwicklow 9/1, Neon Moon 9/1, Highstakesplayer 10/1, 12/1 bar.

Bet on Our Power with talkSPORT BET

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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