Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Kelso and Newbury on Saturday. View selections below.
BALLYFORT (2.25) packs the punch to go close in the 2m 5f Ladbrokes Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle on an excellent Kelso programme.
Novice chases weren’t his bag and a return to the smaller obstacles on the back of wind surgery sparked a comfortable success at Ayr. A 9lb rise demands further improvement but Nick Alexander’s gelding should have more to offer.
Ashington appreciated the faster ground when winning at Doncaster last Friday and can take a hand along with Sandy Thomson’s consistent local hope I Am Max.
ESCAPEANDEVADE (3.35) must put behind him a couple of mediocre performances lately but the assessor has given him a big chance in the 2m 1f Ladbrokes ‘Boost Your Bet Builder’ Handicap Chase.
The James Ewart-trained gelding, a dual course and distance winner last season, held a clear-cut verdict over re-opposing Gold Des Bois here 12 months ago and finds himself 9lb better off with that rival.
The formbook points to a close match-up between previous rivals Gold Des Bois and Bollingerandkrug, while bottom weight Flash Du Pistolet jumped his rivals silly when making all to score at Newcastle in slightly lesser grade earlier this month.
At Newbury, CALIMYSTIC (2.05) may be perched on a lenient mark now making his handicap debut in the 2m 3f Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old broke his duck at the third attempt when dashing clear of his rivals at Doncaster last month and is open to more improvement.
Norn Iron was an expensive flopping favourite when managing only fourth spot at Doncaster but was noted running on strongly close home. That contest was held over two miles and this longer trip may prove more suitable.
Eleven runners are declared, with bet365, Skybet and Betfred offering four places to each-way punters.
JAVERT ALLEN (5.00) should be capable of dismissing five rivals in the two-mile handicap chase.
The six-year-old ran out an impressive course and distance scorer before Christmas and his hat-trick bid was denied only by a short head at Chepstow four weeks ago.
NEON MOON (5.35) won over course and distance 12 months ago and although 10lb higher in the ratings this afternoon, jockey Ben Bromley takes off a handy 5lb.
David Pipe sent out Neon Moon to master Deeper Blue and Abuffalosoldier here last March and his gelding posted another fine effort when bagging third place behind Chianti Classico at Ascot.
Emma Lavelle has placed Kings Threshold shrewdly to win at Huntingdon and Warwick before raising his sights here, while Rivers Corner responded positively to the application of blinkers when scoring over course and distance three weeks ago.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
