Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster on Saturday. View selections below.
VISCHIO (3.30) can give Irish trainer Emmet Mullins his second valuable Morebattle Hurdle scalp at Kelso.
Mullins sent out The Shunter to scoop the money in 2021 and Vischio’s sights were set on this prize following her straightforward success on stable debut in a Leopardstown Listed contest almost four weeks ago.
The mare was equipped with a hood and tongue-tie for the first time on that occasion and the aids are retained.
Vischio was winning off a stone lower mark at Leopardstown but the eight-year-old still receives 7lb from top weight Favour And Fortune, last season’s Scottish Champion Hurdle winner.
Favour And Fortune is closely matched with third home Cracking Rhapsody, a three-time course and distance scorer for local handler Ewan Whillans.
The Jonjo O’Neill operation is doubly represented by dual Huntingdon winner Tellherthename and Ascot fourth Wilful.
Earlier on the card Dan Skelton’s handicap debutant ACE OF SPIES (2.20) looks one for favourite backers in the 2m 5f bet365 hurdle.
The six-year-old took top honours at Cheltenham’s November fixture and followed up here over a slightly shorter trip at the end of December.
Jedd O’Keeffe’s Mr Bramley heads the weights, having been raised 6lb for his comfortable Wetherby triumph a month ago.
VINCENZO (3.45) has adapted brilliantly since reverting to fences and rates a value-for-money bet in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.
Trainer Sam Thomas landed the Ladbrokes Trophy with Katate Dori at Kempton last weekend, and along with owner Dai Walters is bidding for another big Saturday scalp.
Vincenzo boasts two wins and a second over fences and his most recent Sandown success received a boost when runner-up Doyen Du Bar won at Ayr on Monday.
Kandoo Kid returns from a three-month absence and the top weight can feature on the back of a 7lb rise for his victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.
Further down the weights Billytherealbigred catches the eye, with Toby Wynne taking off 3lbs. The thriving five-year-old has won four of his last six starts and posted another solid effort when chasing home Jagwar at Cheltenham last month.
A field of 11 is declared for the BetVictor-sponsored 2m 4f handicap hurdle and NINTH LOCH (4.15) is open to improvement.
A winner in France, Ninth Loch looked unlucky at Taunton last month when stumbling badly following a mistake three out. The gelding did well to recover his footing before snatching third spot behind Saint Anapolino, successful again last weekend.
Loverdose has been a revelation, winning four of his last five starts, and there was plenty to like about his wide-margin Sandown success last month.
Eaton Anne, a 22 lengths winner at muddy Lingfield at the end of January, is another worthy of note, while top weight Guard Duty, up 6lb for last month’s Windsor triumph, holds similar prospects.
Solar System is a tough nut to crack judged on his narrow-margin victories at Haydock and Ludlow, and the JP McManus-owned gelding is worth a market check.
SURREY QUEST (3.15) represents sound each-way prospects in the 3m 2f Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.
The eight-year-old, pipped in last season’s Scottish Grand National, is closely matched with Hymac on their running behind Buffalosoldier at Cheltenham in November. Surrey Quest’s recent third in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh should have tuned him up nicely for today’s task.
Hymas, fitted with first-time cheek-pieces this afternoon, is clearly in the mix along with Wetherby’s Boxing Day scorer Some Scope.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
