Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Doncaster, Cheltenham and Uttoxeter on Saturday. View selections below.
JETARA (1.30) scooped last year’s running of the Grade 2 Virgin Bet Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster and can make a successful defence for the Jessica Harrington yard.
Her eight-year-old ran a stinker when outclassed behind Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown over the Christmas period but is returned to the comfort zone of this less demanding task.
Jetara edged out Kateira 12 months ago in a thriller and may have most to fear from fellow Irish raiders Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby, that pair having filled the places behind classy Wodhooh at Leopardstown in mid-December.
Ruth Jefferson’s Levida Adiva was the outsider of five when scoring over course and distance under Brian Hughes last month and the home challenge is further strengthened by That’ll Do Moss representing the in-form Fergal O’Brien stable.
There promises to be a strong pace in the three-mile Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase, with several confirmed front-runners in the line-up. That may well play into the hands of top weight DEEP CAVE (2.05), winner of both his starts over fences under hold-up rides.
The Christian Williams-trained eight-year-old made a successful start to his career over the bigger obstacles when accounting for The Doyen Chief (soft) at Bangor and followed up in the Class 1 Howden Silver Cup at Ascot before Christmas.
Emma Lavelle’s King’s Threshold has been raised 6lb for his victory in the 3m 2f Mandarin Chase at Newbury and rates a danger.
Bottom weight Kelce, course and distance winner Docpickedme, New Order, Josh The Boss and Grand Geste have all cut out the running in the past, so there will be no hiding place.
The three-mile River Don Novices’ Hurdle always throws up some useful types and CARLENRIG (12.55) is taken to concede 5lb to all 11 opponents.
The Grade 2 event is packed with previous winners and Dan Skelton’s Carlenrig battled on dourly to edge out They Call Me Hugo at Cheltenham’s big December fixture. The runner-up ran very well in defeat at Windsor last weekend so the form is solid.
Bet365, Betfred and Boylesport are advertising four place each-way.
There is classy fare on offer at Cheltenham where ACT OF INNOCENCE (4.10) can send favourite backers home happy.
Nicky Henderson’s gelding was turned over at odds of 2-7 at Newbury in late December but the winner is probably useful (front pair 12 lengths clear of the third).
Harry Redknapp’s Taurus Bay kept his unbeaten tag intact when scoring at Aintree and may be the chief threat.
The ground is sure to ride very testing at Uttoxeter but that may well play to the strengths of ORDEROFTHEDAY (3.06) on his handicap debut.
Olly Murphy’s six-year-old made a successful return to action at Bangor (soft) in November but was turned over when trading at short odds at Leicester the following month. Lewis Saunders is allowed a handy 5lb and Orderoftheday remains unexposed at this level.
Harry Atkins takes 7lb off the back of In The Age, a gutsy Catterick victor on New Year’s Day, and the Skelton-trained gelding is another making his handicap bow.
Tally Ho
Alan
Check out all todays Horse Racing Results and claim free bets.
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
