Today’s free horse racing tips: ITV racing best bets on Saturday at Newbury including a 12-1 tip in Ladbrokes Trophy

WE’VE been spoiled with some top-class racing over the last couple of weeks.

And this weekend’s offering is no exception. Our man Jack Keene has picked out his best bets on ITV this Saturday and looks to keep his red-hot run of form going.

Getty Images - Getty

It’s Ladbrokes Trophy day at Newbury on Saturday[/caption]

After a week off The Weekend Punt is back in time for a mouthwatering afternoon of racing on Saturday.

The Ladbrokes Trophy is one of the big betting races of the winter, and this year’s renewal is wide-open.

There are some fascinating supporting races, so let’s get stuck in.

I was hugely impressed with KALOOKI (12.40 Newbury) on chasing debut and he can bag the John Francome Novices’ Chase.

He was a smart hurdler, ending last season with a good second to Ramses De Teilee in a Haydock Grade 2.

But he has the potential to make up into an even better chaser, and although he was a little rough around the edges on his first start over fences at this track, overall it was an impressive display.

He produced several flying leaps under an aggressive ride from Richard Johnson on his way to an easy win, and he is entitled to improve plenty for that outing.

Next Destination commands respect, but Kalooki has the benefit of a run over fences which tilts the balance in his favour.

I’ve long fancied COPPERHEAD (3.00 Newbury) for the Ladbrokes Trophy, and for all I’d like to see the Colin Tizzard yard in better form I’m going to stick with him.

He was progressive over fences last season, winning in a hack canter over C&D before he destroyed the opposition (Two For Gold a distant second) in the Reynoldstown on testing ground at Ascot.

I reckon that performance left a mark as he was pretty laboured in the RSA at Cheltenham and was well-held when falling at the last, but the Tizzard team also had a quiet week at the Festival.

You can forgive his reappearance effort at Wetherby, when he was pulled up three out in the West Yorkshire Hurdle, as Joe Tizzard has been on record saying how their’s are generally needing the run this year after an extra month out in the field putting on timber because of lockdown.

Copperhead is a big, strapping beast and his first outing smacked of a horse who’d had one too many days out munching spring grass.

He goes back over fences now and there is no doubt in my mind he is better than his mark of 152.

This big-field, strong gallop scenario will suit, he is a fantastic jumper and his has been a long-term aim. He’s a horse I have a lot of faith in.

And I’ll be having a couple of quid each-way on BRAVE EAGLE (3.15 Newcastle) in the Rehearsal Chase up at Newcastle.

This meeting is usually run on bottomless ground, so it’s a result for a horse like him who bounces off a decent surface that it’s been a dry week in the north east.

He needed the run on reappearance in a good race at Chepstow, and he gets first-time blinkers this afternoon.

He’s also only 1lb higher than when successful in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter last year, while the booking of red-hot jock Paddy Brennan does his chances no harm.