There are a number of big fields going to post at Kelso and Newbury on Saturday, perfect for our value man Matty Sutcliffe. He has four best bets across those two cards.
1:15 Kelso – Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Your Own Story 5/1 1pt WIN
If a first time visor perks up YOUR OWN STORY then he’s taken to land a long awaited return to the winners enclosure. He wasn’t entirely disgraced in the Eider Chase last time out, nishing a 22L fourth though eventually disqualified for Wadge failing to weigh in. Take the winner out of the race and he was only six lengths behind the second, pulling 15 lengths clear of the fifth. He’s been dropped 2lbs to a mark 125 where he was 2nd off back a neck at Punchestown in May under Patrick Wadge, and a return to that form could see him go strongly here.
His record in March reads 1122, and his record in elds of six or under reads 122122, so this dual course 2nd won’t have a better opportunity to take this off a featherweight.
1:50 Kelso – Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (Registered As The Beeswing) (GBB) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Lavida Adiva 8/1 1pt WIN
Sacre Coeur will likely shoot off in front in her usual fashion, with Wyenot and Ottizini both following her close up in behind suggesting this will be run at a potentially fierce pace. Gale Mahler is arguably over the top by now from her productive summer campaign and on ratings, My Lady Elektra has a mountain to find.
LAVIDA ADIVA looks to be the only one suited to the way this race will likely pan out, as the strong travelling daughter of Champs Elysees is often seen held up off the pace. While she was given far too much to do at Ayr when beaten 15L, she stayed on strongly to suggest a step up in trip wouldn’t harm her and the pedigree backs that up, given she’s half sister to the 2023 Grand National sixth Born By The Sea.
She’ll have to improve on that last effort to find something on the figures with Wyenot, but she might not have to improve that much on her 3/4L second to Miss Cynthia at Market Rasen o top-weight when giving the winner 8lbs, who subsequently finished second in a similar listed contest to a 134r mare at Doncaster next time out.
2:05 Newbury – Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Jackpot Des Bordes 16/1 1pt EW 3 places
Three of the four winners of this contest since its inception were tongue tied, which includes the inaugural winner Good Ball for Paul Nicholls on his handicap debut so it may pay to follow JACKPOT DES BORDES, who’s been given time o since a beaten 4/6F under a penalty Taunton around a time Nicholls’ weren’t firing.
Better was clearly expected when sent off the 4/6F over this trip at Taunton, beaten nine lengths for all he was giving away 10lbs to the winner who wasn’t disgraced on handicap debut off 122 last time out. But prior to that, he was impressive when staying on strongly to beat Saint Anapolino despite being headed up the run in, with the second now rated 130 after three subsequent victories. He’s well handicapped on a mark of 118 in that respect, and given he’s gone well twice in the past, a subsequent break and the application of cheek-pieces can see him outrun his odds now stepping back up in trip, which looks to suit on pedigree.
3:15 Newbury – BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Limited H’cap) (Grade 2) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Rockstown Girl 10/1 1pt WIN
Irish raider Rockstown Girl looks an intriguing contender on handicap debut, having travelled much the best at Chepstow in October when cosily landing Mares Novice Hurdle despite two influent leaps late on. The second is now rated 125 having won twice since, and ROCKSTOWN GIRL was far from disgraced despite falling four out in the G2 Hyde Novice’ behind Potters Charm and Valgrand when still travelling well in behind the leaders.
She wasn’t put into the contest when seven in a Punchestown Listed Mares race in December, but that took her record right handed over hurdles to 0-5 as opposed to 2/3 going left handed, and given all three of her wins have come fresh, she looks poised to go well o a mark of 121 with Oakley Brown taking 5lbs off.
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