Nine races will be shown live on a busy Saturday for the ITV Racing team. GG tipster Joe Napier gives you his four best bets, including a Dan Skelton-trained outsider…
1.15 Kelso – Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing’ Handicap Chase
Dare To Shout is plenty consistent enough, but his propensity to finish second is a concern. This is a very winnable opportunity, but if any of his four rivals step up from last time, he is vulnerable.
The most likely to do so would appear to be CADELL for Lucinda Russell, who has two of the five runners. Derek Fox takes the ride on the seven-year-old, who won impressively at Wetherby earlier in the campaign before finding Grade 2 company too warm at Sandown against Handstands and Arkle winner Janog Baie.
He was not disgraced that day though and the step up to 3m7f in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh may have been a marathon too soon. This trip of 3m2f should be more suitable and the handicapper has been very kind in dropping him 4lb. He could easily be more at home in this contest.
1.35 Bangor-on-Dee – Alfa Aggregates Products Handicap Hurdle
Nusret is interesting on his debut for Nicky Henderson as he could easily have more to give as a six-year-old, while a revival from Milldam from the in-form Jamie Snowden yard is considered too. However, GENTLEMAN BILL is unexposed and surely has more to give in handicaps based on his novice form.
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s charge won two of his first four starts, and may have beaten Willie Mullins’ Jarrive De Mee at Catterick in January but for fluffing the last. That winner has since won again by 21 lengths and the selection was conceding him 5lb.
Gentleman Bill was down the field in the Morebattle Hurdle, but that was extremely competitive and very little got in the race from the back of the field. The step back up to 2m 3½f should prove a positive and he can resume his progression.
2.40 Newbury – BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase
Given that Harry Skelton now comes back in for the ride, a chance is taken on RISKINTHEGROUND, as this looks another handicap on Saturday without a standout form contender or plot. The eight-year-old may have made most of his progress over fences last summer, but spring ground may bring out more from him now.
He won three times between June and September in 2024, but was still in good enough shape to be third at Cheltenham in October off 5lb higher than today’s mark. His two runs after a brief winter break have seen him ridden by Charlie Todd, the first of which was in a Grade 2 in which he had no chance, but the fact Skelton is back aboard may suggest the yard think he’s well-handicapped again. He would be on his best form.
3.00 Kelso – Ladbrokes Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
It is no given that she will be over her Cheltenham exertions, but this would be a good chance for TOUR OVALIE if she were. She has seemingly enjoyed regular racing since October, winning four times, so her fitness is chanced given the other positives for her in this race.
Even the six-year-old’s defeats this term have been positive, as she was mid-division, beaten under ten lengths, in a competitive Windsor handicap before finishing ninth in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last week. As a 100/1 shot, she ran a big race, only fading a few positions after the last.
These waters should be far calmer, and a mark of 120, with 3lb further taken off by Isabel Williams’ claim, may well underestimate her if she turns up here in the fine fettle she has exemplified of late.
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