ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 2nd March for Newbury, Kelso and Doncaster
1:20 Newbury
The first of two live races from Newbury is the 1:20, a Veterans Handicap Chase over the 3m2f distance.
It’s FORTESCUE (13/2) I like in this. A stable in fine form Henry Daly, you have to take note when they are as they bang in the winners. This horse is very well handicapped on his best form and if on a going day, he can laugh at this current mark. He’s shown enough in recent starts to suggest he’s still got the ability and the jockey booking of Harry Cobden has to be considered a real strong positive.
1:42 Kelso
The first race from Kelso is a handicap hurdle over 2m5f.
I like SERIOUS OPERATOR (5/1) NAP. The Lucinda Russell stable is in decent form at the moment and this progressive hurdler can add to their tally. He is effectively racing off 10’2 here with the claim of Patrick Wadge taken into consideration and a low weight is ideal on testing ground like we’ll see here. He’s 4-8 over hurdles and is a course winner at this unique track which is an obvious plus. He was a fine fifth in the Lanzarote Hurdle when we last seen him and this is significantly weaker than that contest.
1:55 Newbury
The 1:55 from Newbury is the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase over 2m4f.
The one for me is HIGHSTAKESPLAYER (9/2). A really improving chaser from the Tom Lacey stable who’s 3-3 over fences. He defied a long absence when winning at Kempton last time out staying on strongly to the line. This is a drop in trip but on heavy ground, this is going to be a real test and this prominent racer can hopefully grind it out from the front. A 3lb rise for the victory last time out seems more than fair to me.
2:17 Kelso
It’s Grade 2 action next up from Kelso, the Premier Novices Hurdle over 2m2f.
It’s PERSONAL AMBITION (5/1) here. Again, the Ben Pauling stable is another in rude health at the moment and Personal Ambition bounced back to form last time out making all at Doncaster. He appeared to appreciate the change of tactics and I’m sure they’ll adopt that again here. He brings a decent level of form to the table this season and I think he’s a fair price in here at the prices.
2:35 Doncaster
The first of three race from Doncaster is the 2:35. It is a handicap chase over the extended 2 miles.
It’s TOMMY’S OSCAR (3/1) NB for me here. He is a Grade 2 winner over this course and distance which is a good starting point and he’s a horse that always seems to be undervalued. He returned to action this season with a comfortable victory at Kelso. He stepped up to 2m4f on soft ground last time out and it just didn’t suit him. Draw a line through that effort and now returning to 2m, he can resume winning ways in a weak enough handicap where some of them might be being saved for another day.
2:50 Kelso
The 2:50 from Kelso is a decent renewal of the Morebattle hurdle, a handicap over the 2m trip.
I’m happy to chance UNDER CONTROL (7/2) in this despite the obvious concerns over the stable. She’s a quality mare who is open to significant improvement. I get the impression this type of test is exactly what she wants. A 2m handicap with a decent pace to aim at. She is definitely ahead of her current mark and hopefully today is the day.
3:10 Doncaster
It’s back to Doncaster for the 3:10, a mares novice hurdle over the extended 3 mile trip.
The one I like at the prices is GAYE LEGACY (5/1). She has been the model of consistency this season with two wins from five starts and she hit the frame on the other three occasions. She’s well suited by the 3m trip and she’s coming off a career best last time it at Newbury. I think she is more than capable of going close eased up in grade here.
3:25 Kelso
The final race at Kelso on ITV is the Premier Chase, a listed contest over just shy of 3 miles.
It’s MONBEG GENIUS (7/4) for me here. I think he’ll take a lot of beating here. He brings really strong handicap form to the table including a third in the Ultima last year which couldn’t be working out any better really. He’s been freshened up with the Spring in mind since a fine third in the Coral Gold Cup back in November and this 8 year-old can kick the more exposed veterans that are closest to him in the market out the way if anywhere near top form.
3:40 Doncaster
The finale is the competitive Grimthorpe Chase, a handicap for the staying chasers over 3m2f.
It is CERTAINLY RED (10/1) EW I like here. He was a fine second last time out behind the re-opposing Java Point and he stayed on up the hill strongly and was arguably unlucky to not get up. I think he was just done for pace there at they turned in and 3m2f round here on deep ground will bring his stamina into play even more. He’s definitely showed enough to be winning races off this current mark despite being the age of 10 and I think this is a good opportunity for him.
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