ITV Racing Tips for Kelso and Newbury on Saturday 22nd March

1:15 Kelso

The first race from Kelso is a handicap chase over the 3m2f trip.

It’s CADELL (7/2) for me here. A solid hurdler, he always looked likely to improve for a fence. He was an impressive winner at Wetherby back in November 2024, he’s found things trickier in two runs since. However, they were at a much deeper level than this contest and this race looks sure to suit. I imagine he’d get an easy time of it out in front and that should help him get his confidence back. He’s a previous winner here at the track and the yard does well here too. I like his chances.

 

1:50 Kelso

Next up is a listed Mares Hurdle over an extended 3 miles.

It is LAVIDA ADIVA (7/1) NAP for me in this. I think she’ll improve for this step up in trip and she should get a lovely gallop to aim at from off the pace given the amount of horses in the line-up that like to go forward. The went slow last time out at Ayr and that wouldn’t have suited her. Before that she was a good winner at Aintree over the festive period before finishing a good second at Market Rasen on her next start despite things going against her. Brian Hughes is riding well at the moment and I think this mare has a great chance at a nice price.

 

2:05 Newbury

The first of three live races from Newbury is the 2:05, a novice handicap hurdle over 2m3f.

It’s NORN IRON (4/1)NB for me here for the Harry Derham yard. Despite being 7 years-old, he’s unexposed having only had five career runs. He returned from a lengthy absence to finish second before coming here for his handicap debut and again finishing a good second. That form has a strong look to it. I’m happy to ignore his last run at Doncaster as half the hurdles were omitted and they went a dawdle. This race should suit well and he’s definitely well-handicapped.

 

2:25 Kelso

The 2:25 from Kelso is a handicap hurdle over 2m5f. 

I’ve landed on THE JEWELLERS’S PET (12/1) EW in this. This 6 year-old sneaks into this near the bottom of the weights in career best form. He was a really good winner at Ayr in early February 2025 where he bolted up. He returned to Ayr again later in the month and went in again. He’s a strong travelling sort that should be well suited by the nature of this race. Up another 7lb but I think he can continue to improve.

 

2:40 Newbury 

The 2:40 race is a handicap chase over the intermediate 2m4f trip.

The one I’d chance is THEATRE MAN (13/2) EW. I like that he’s been freshened up and had wind surgery in January as he’s certainly on a good mark based on his earlier chase form. Things haven’t gone to plan recently but if he can get back on track now, he’s the best handicapped horse in the race. I’d be happy to take that chance.

 

3:00 Kelso

It is back to Kelso for the 3:00 race, a mares novice handicap hurdle over 2m.

I’ve landed on GAME COLOURS EW here. A trappy race but Game Colours looks to hold a solid chance to me. I was impressed with her guts when winning last time out at Lingfield and this mare brings a decent level of experience to the table for a race of this nature. She jumps well and likes to sit prominently which is a good place to be at Kelso in races like this. I think she’ll stay further than 2 miles which I like here given the stiff finish and it’s hard not to see her hitting the frame at least. Ben Clarke has had a few decent winners this season and hopefully he can have another one here. 

 

3:15 Newbury

The 3:15 from Newbury comes up next, a Grade 2 Mares Novices Hurdle over the extended 2m4f.

The one for me is CRAZIERTHANDAISY (17/2) EW for Seven Barrows. A promising bumper sort, she’s shown improved form over hurdles finishing runner-up on the first two occasions before putting that experience to good use when winning last time out at Warwick. I think she’ll improve further now entering handicaps for the first time and she comes from the right connections. I think she’ll go close.

 

3:35 Kelso

The final race is a 2m1f handicap chase from Kelso.

Off a mark of 109, it is BOLLINGERANDKRUG (4/1) for me. He has a fine record here at Kelso winning 6 times in 16 runs here. The yard is in good form and if he can return to the form he shown last season, this mark is well within his reach. 

 

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