TODAY’S TIPS
FOOTBALL TIPS
TENNIS TIPS
FREE BETS
Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips and Previews
THE MOREBATTLE LOOKS A CRACKER AT KELSO! ITV Racing live from Kelso, Doncaster and Newbury on Saturday afternoon.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Saturday Schedule
1.15 Kelso bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) 2m51/2f
1.30 Doncaster Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m1/2f
1.50 Kelso bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (Class 2) 2m
2.10 Newbury BetVictor Non-Runner-No-Bet At Cheltenham Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 2m41/2f
2.25 Kelso bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m2f
2.45 Newbury BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m4f
3.00 Kelso bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 2m5f
3.15 Doncaster Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m2f
3.35 Kelso bet365 Premier Chase (Listed Race) 2m71/2f
Kelso 1.15
We kick off ITV racing with a decent looking handicap with a few of these likely to be rated a fair bit higher in the future. SHOLOKJACK really impressed last time out winning by 12 lengths at Lingfield. The way he went away from them after the last really caught the eye. He is up 11lb for that run but I think this horse could be 140+ and it is no surprise to see him favoured in the betting. He goes up slightly in trip again and is improving all the time.
Bill Baxter is the main danger even though he fell on his hat-trick bid last time out. He was just about to make his move and then came down. With a clear round he is definitely a threat but that was a heavy fall last time and his confidence may have been knocked. Castle Rushen is undoubtedly talented but he needs to put in a clean round of jumping to have a chance here.
Doncaster 1.30
This looks a great opportunity for CALICO to get his head back in front. He gave Jonbon a scare back in novice company in the Kingmaker last month and off a mark of 137 here he is going to take a bit of stopping. This track will suit and I’m surprised he isn’t shorter than 15/8 at the time of writing. There isn’t much pace on and he won impressively off the front at Southwell prior to that second to Jonbon so should go forward and slowly burn them off.
Pay The Piper is a good horse and he was back to his best winning at Musselburgh. This track asks a different question and up 6lb he is going to need more. I think Xcitations will pose the biggest threat but he looked like he was going to win at Wetherby before being well held at the finish which is a bit concerning. Perhaps in the handicappers grip.
Kelso 1.50
We have a maximum field for the Morebattle which is good to see. With the big field and 4 places available at the time of writing I am going for an each way play in DEERE MARK. He has won his last two by small margins meaning the handicapper can’t really put him up much. He carries a nice weight at 10 stone 10 pounds on his hat-trick bid. Trainer Sam Thomas is proving very good at targeting horses and you should get a good run for your money.
Talking of target trainers Emmet Mullins is the king of taking these handicaps and Mctigue is the danger here. They ran him behind Lossiemouth in December and came last but it rarely matters as with Emmet’s horses as they are just runs for fitness and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won well but on known form he is too short. Collingham with 10lb claimer Charlie Maggs on again could be another big priced horse who goes well as he is seemingly in good form.
Newbury 2.10
Bold Plan won this last year and should run well again this time around but I like JAY BEE WHY to raise his game. He shaped much better when third to Annual Invictus at Newbury last month and back down to 2 and a half miles here if he builds on that he is clearly handicapped to have a big say in a winnable race like this. He looks value in the betting and you can afford to back him each way with 11 runners heading to post.
Plenty of dangers but Dargiannini looks way too short to me. He won at Uttoxeter but is up 8lb and I’m just not massively convinced. Pileon was back to form when runner-up at Doncaster and well handicapped could be worth an each way saver as I do think he will at least be placed. Whatsupwithyou hasn’t been running badly and is also respected.
Kelso 2.25
This has been won by some good types over the years including the classy My Drogo. I am not sure there is anything that will be that level in here but a few are talented looking sorts. NEMEAN LION stayed on well behind the classy Tahmuras at Sandown last time to finish third. He was decent on the Flat and will appreciate the slightly better ground here. This is an easier race than last time and will go very close and looks a good price which is why he is one of my best bets on Saturday afternoon.
That man Emmet Mullins with another favourite at Kelso and Feronily actually has the form in the book to back it up. He has run well in two decent bumpers especially the third behind A Dream To Share at the Dublin Racing Festival and will be a big danger. Jamie Snowden is flying currently and Colonel Harry has to be considered with similar form to the selection.
Newbury 2.45
Paint The Dream won this last year and has to be respected but he was expected to do much better when only third behind Pic D’orhy in the Silviniaco Conti Chase last time and that leaves me a bit concerned. At the prices I think he is worth taking on and ZANZA could be the one. He was mega frustrating before bolting up here and while he fails dto back that up at Wetherby he quickly bounce back returned to this track last time thrashing Hitman. He clearly loves it here and should run big again.
Sebastopol won impressively here when last seen and he could be the danger. He is extremely talented when everything clicks and if in the same form should run a massive race again. Gemirande is the one being backed but he has a career-high mark to overcome now so this will be no easy task.
Kelso 3.00
This looks like a decent renewal and a wide open one at that. SANTOS BLUE heads the market and you can see why after winning on both starts since going handicapping and stepping up in trip. The way he travelled and how much he found when asked suggests he has plenty more to come. The handicapper hit him with a 2lb rise for that but he could be better again over slightly further and looks like the right favourite.
Nells Son is a classy sort for the in-form Nicky Richards yard and rates a big danger here even giving weight away to most. He has had a wind op and could well be a 140+ horse at his best so could be a few pounds well-in and will go well. Mahons Glory and Dancewiththewind are the best of the rest.
Doncaster 3.15
I can see Does He Know running well here but I just thought he was a bit skinny at 3/1 and so I’ve decided to chance CASTLE ROBIN following up. He is a horse I have rated for a while now and it was good to see him back on the up winning nicely at Sandown. He is only up 4lb from that and with more to come especially over this trip I think he’ll take a lot of beating. I can see him up there tracking the pace and he should be in the box seat to pounce.
Cooper’s Cross is favourite after beating Cap Du Nord at Doncaster. This is coming soon enough though and up 5lb he is a bit short in the betting for a race as competitive as this. Undersupervision is being backed but I’m far from sold by his overall profile and even if bouncing back I’d have my doubts on him.
Kelso 3.35
Just the 5 runners for this race with all 5 priced up under 10/1 which shows how competitive it is. LE MILOS gets a narrow vote after winning two decent handicaps on his last two runs. He stays so well and looks to still be improving with 4 wins from 5. This looks like the logical option for him and he has to be bang there at the finish.
The Shunter is a really interesting runner at this trip. When at his best he is a classy sort but has been bounced between Jumps and Flat and comes here with something to prove. The 3 mile trip could bring the spark back which would make him dangerous. Zanza on ratings and form would be in the mix but seems to run his best races at Newbury.
ITV Racing Lucky 15
With 9 races live on ITV Racing on Saturday I’ve taken my four strongest bets to make a Lucky 15. If we can land 3/4 winners we would still make some decent profit. Pays 400/1!