ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 1st March from Newbury, Kelso and Doncaster
1:10 Kelso
The first of ten live races comes from Kelso. It is a handicap chase over 2m1f.
The selection is HELNWEIN (13/8) here. He was a decent hurdler last season before making the switch to fences this time round. His Chase debut was highly encouraging when finishing a good second. He’s followed that up with two solid enough runs but I do believe he’s capable of better. A mark of 128 is well within reach and this is the weakest race he’ll have run in yet.
1:20 Newbury
The first of two races from Newbury is a Veterans Chase over 3m2f.
I like GUSTAVIAN (7/2) here who ran a cracker when second at Exeter behind Credo on Veterans debut. He jumped like a buck out in front and seemed to really enjoy himself. They did go quick there which is why it set up for Credo. He has done well to hang on for second given the other prominent finishes all came from off the pace. Newbury is a track that may suit that style more and I think he looks sure to go well again.
1:45 Kelso
The 1:45 from Kelso is next, the listed Premier Chase over just shy of 3m.
I’d be hopeful we see the real IROKO (11/4) now the handicap weights are out for the Grand National. He’s a horse full of promise and has had a light campaign this season. A previous Martin Pipe Hurdle winner, this 3m trip will suit and I expect he’ll sit just behind Grey Dawning and have a go at him in the home straight. Grey Dawning has plenty to prove in my opinion and I’d be happy to go with Iroko.
2:05 Doncaster
Next up it’s Doncaster, and it’s the turn of the mares in a staying contest over an extended 3 miles I’ll chance MISS CYNTHIA (7/1) who took a decent step forward on just her third career start last time out when winning well at Market Rasen. She stayed on strongly there and this 3m trip could easily bring out further improvement. She’s totally unexposed and I like the booking of Gavin Sheehan for this mare.
2:20 Kelso
The 2:20 from Kelso is a 2m5f handicap hurdle.
It is ACE OF SPADES (11/4) NAP for me here who looks sure to go well for the Skelton’s. He makes his handicap debut here off a mark of 123 and he has scope to be a lot better than that. He was a gutsy winner at Cheltenham before following up here at Kelso last time out so the track should suit. I like his chances of making a winning handicap debut.
2:40 Doncaster
The 2:40 from Doncaster is another handicap chase, this time over the extended 2 mile trip.
If BROOKIE (12/1) EW is on a going day, he looks overpriced to me. He was a solid hurdler and his chase debut this season was a winning one over at Sandown. He jumped well there and he looked set to make into a decent handicap chaser at this level. However, he’s since disappointed twice over the large obstacles. I’m happy to give him another chance back on that winning mark and having been freshened up since. We will likely know our fate early but at the prices, he’s worth a go in my eyes.
2:55 Kelso
It is Grade 2 action next up from Kelso, the Premier Novices Hurdle over 2m2f.
It’s CASTLE CARROCK (3/1) for me. A decent bumper winner at Ayr on debut for the Nicky Richard’s team, he was then bought by new connections and moved to the Alan King stable. He was given a huge task on his hurdles debut against Mares Novice Hurdle hopeful Diva Luna at Sandown but he travelled all over her and won well. He took a good hold there and showed a decent turn of foot to win. That is strong form in my opinion and he’s entitled to come on a bundle for it. I like his chances, I think he could be a really good horse.
3:15 Doncaster
The 3:15 from Doncaster is the competitive Grimthorpe Handicap Chase over the 3m2f trip.
I like HYMAC (11/2) in this, who is well suited by this type of test. When stepping up to staging trips for the first time towards the back end of last season, he was a well-backed winner at Cheltenham relishing every yard. He then returned this year with a novice hurdle win before two really respectable efforts back over fences the last twice. His second in the Mandarin Chase at Newbury last time out was a cracking effort and he looks sure to go close again. Connections have opted for cheekpieces and hopefully, they can just squeeze out a little further improvement. That may well make all the difference.
3:30 Kelso
The final race from Kelso is the intriguing Morebattle Hurdle over 2 miles.
It’s VISCHIO (5/1) for me here for the Emmet Mullins stable. I was taken by her victory at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out where she showed a willing attitude, finding plenty of pressure to win going anyway. That was a deep handicap and she may be able to kick on now with the Emmet Mullins yard. That was her first run for him and I find in interesting that he’s bringing her over for this. He has previous in this race so knows what it takes and he looks to have a live contender again with this mare.
3:45 Newbury
We end with a competitive renewal of the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase ran over 2m4f.
It is BILLYTHEBIGRED (5/1) NB for me. He’s relished fences this year winning his first two starts before running a cracker last time out at Cheltenham. This bold jumping front-runner can continue on an upward curve and given the fact he is only 5, we certainly haven’t seen the best of him yet. This type of test will suit and he could get plenty of his rivals in trouble along way out if jumping with similar fluency to he shown at Cheltenham. He has a lovely racing weight of 10’5 too if we include Toby Wynne’s 3lb claim which he is huge value for.
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