Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Kempton, Newcastle, Chepstow and Lingfield on Saturday. View selections below.
PARADIAS (3.10) can strike under Rossa Ryan in the 1m 4f Midnite Betting App Handicap at Lingfield.
Alan King’s gelding looked all over the winner when hitting the front a furlong out at Kempton earlier this month only to be reeled in close home.
Paradias remains well enough treated to deliver the goods, probably at the expense of Billy Lougnane’s mount Nolton Cross, a comfortable Wolverhampton winner earlier this month.
Andrew Balding’s Respond, a beaten favourite when only fifth at Newmarket last October, is worth a market check on seasonal debut.
Earlier on the card, RELOCAL (2.33) can supplement last month’s Chelmsford City success by bagging the 1m 5f handicap for Roger Varian.
The runner-up on that occasion won next time out and Relocal is taken to repel the Balding-trained Hebridean Nomad, held up off the pace before pouncing late to score here four weeks ago.
Course winner Charlie’s Choice has been kept busy this winter and shouldn’t be far away.
KATATE DORI (3.35) is fancied to repeat last year’s success in the three-mile Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton.
The Sam Thomas-trained gelding finds himself racing off an 11lb higher perch but he was good value for his runaway 15 lengths triumph last February. He was caught close home in a 3m 1f chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and can serve it up to his 12 rivals (some firms offering four places each-way).
Hoe Joly Smoke takes a slight drop in grade following his fifth in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham and Dan Skelton reaches for first-time cheek-pieces for his talented gelding.
Kdeux Saint Fray was market leader in a novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham last month but disappointed in fourth. Anthony Honeyball moves him up in trip for the first time. The yard is also represented by Wincanton winner Gustavian, the mount of Rex Dingle, so market signals may be significant.
Emmett Mullins is doubly represented by course and distance winner Chance Another One and Rising Dust, beaten only once in his last six outings in Ireland.
DR T J ECKLEBURG (3.40) won the corresponding Pertemps Network Handicap Chase at Chepstow 12 months ago and can strike up the double. The Evan Williams-trained gelding is 5lb lower than when successful last February and finished a promising third at Sandown at the end of January, a race he used as a springboard to victory in this contest last year.
Martator unseated his rider in that Sandown race and with Venetia Willims belatedly back in rampant form, the top weight rates a threat.
LIVIN ON LUCO (2.43) should be well served by the demands of the 4m 1f Virgin Bet Eider Chase at Newcastle.
A field of ten runners has assembled for this £41,000 first prize and Livin On Luco’s fourth to Haiti Couleurs in the Welsh Grand National in late December stands up to scrutiny now dropping slightly in class.
The eight-year-old won his previous start over 3m 3f at Fontwell and can take advantage of his light weight.
Anglers Crag made all, jumping impeccably, when registering a winning debut for Nicky Richards at Carlisle back in November. He goes well fresh and won this event for Brian Ellison in 2024 on heavy ground.
Mr Vango carries 12 stone but Sara Bradstock’s popular stayer should play a prominent role, despite having risen 11lb in official ratings on the back of last March’s Midlands National victory at Uttoxeter.
Mr Vango had re-opposing Val Dancer more than three lengths away in third when pipped agonisingly on the line by Twig in the Becher Chase at Aintree in early December and little separates the pair at today’s weights.
Jonjo O’Neill sends out Fortunate Man, a beaten favourite at Sandown last time, while Dom Of Mary, sixth in the Welsh National, showed his liking for this track when scoring over 3m 5f in late November.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
