Doncaster Saturday
1.25 Virgin Bet A Good Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 3m 84y
Coolanna has won both her starts over hurdles despite looking in need of a stiffer test and is expected to relish the step up to an extended three miles on a stiff track. She was last seen at Wincanton when beating the well-bred Strong Run over two miles and five furlongs and did so despite getting outpaced on the sharp track that day.
The runner-up is a full-sister to Strong Leader and looks a very useful herself, so Coolanna deserves maximum credit for wearing her down. She looks a thorough stayer, as she did at Uttoxeter on debut and this track looks tailor-made for her grinding style.
Barra Rua ran another solid race when fourth over this trip on her handicap bow at the DRF and Emmet Mullins’ mare can do better, especially if gaining more fluency at her obstacles, and she appeals as a danger to the selection.
1.55 Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase 2m 78y
We haven’t seen the best of Queens Gamble over fences yet and when we do it will be over two miles on spring ground. In saying that, she coped better than expected with heavy going at Wincanton last time, jumping well before beating the talented Bluey with a degree of ease.
Prior to that she had again travelled well over two and a half miles at Musselburgh but less than looked likely after looming up early in the straight, looking like she was stretched by the trip.
Rain overnight and into the morning isn’t ideal for a mare whose very best efforts have come on good or yielding ground but given she coped with more testing ground last time, it isn’t the concern it might have been.
2.30 Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase 3m 2f1y
Stamina is sure to come to the fore in the Grimthorpe and I fancy the longer trip and likely slower pace will suit Great Yorkshire Chase winner Dartmoor Pirate, who took time to warm to his task when winning last time and should appreciate the less frenetic nature of this contest.
His jumping does need to improve, but the further he went the better he looked last time and it should be remembered that he’s only had four starts over fences and is learning all the time.
Some Scope has had wind surgery since disappointing at Cheltenham in December and is also refitted with the hood he wore when winning here earlier in the campaign. He is taken to bounce back and could give the selection most to do.
Kelso Saturday
1.10 Bet365 Handicap Chase 2m 1f 14y
It hasn’t clicked as yet for Doyen Du Bar since Eric Elliott switched the son of Doyen from Pauline Robson to Nicky Richards, but the 10-year-old has been shaping up well enough and can defy a big burden after catching the eye at Market Rasen last time.
He travelled notably well held up at Market Rasen but despite looking a big threat at the top of the straight, found the trip too far and faded into third behind Filanderer. That was over an extended two miles and five furlongs and he will be much more at home dropped half a mile in trip.
He was held up to conserve his stamina last time, but seemed to react well to the change of tactics and I wonder if he will be restrained again having typically gone from the front on his previous tries for the yard. I think it could be beneficial but he’s capable of winning this whatever tactics are utilised.
1.40 Bet365 Premier Chase (Listed) 2m 7f 96y
Protektorat looks to have a simple task against lesser lights in what is, in effect, a veterans’ chase. Dan Skelton took this with Grey Dawning last year and has found a simple opportunity for Protektorat to pick up another decent pay cheque.
2.15 Bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 2f 25y
Starmount stands out here, to my eyes. Ben Pauling’s novice found the step up to Grade 1 company too much when beaten in the Formby at Aintree at Christmas but has impressed either side of that, again jumping with fluency when beating Kaka’s Cousin by an easy 15 lengths at Wetherby last time.
That form could not have worked out any better, with Kaka’s Cousin winning here by eight and a half lengths from Kocktail Bleu, who was an excellent second in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton last weekend.
Those performances pay a handsome compliment to Starmount who is already rated highest of these on a BHA mark of 134, but could easily be pegged a few pounds higher.
This track ought to suit and I think he will have too much class for his rivals.
2.55 Bet365 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle 2m 51y
Cracking Rhapsody isn’t taken lightly in his bid for a third successive win on the Morebattle and it’s clear that he’s been laid out for this race all season. Given that, it looks significant that he’s now below the mark off which he last won, that victory coming in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. He’s yet to fire this term, but bounced back from a poor run when winning this 12 months ago and is afforded maximum respect as he bids for history.
Marginal preference, however, is for the unexposed Quaviste who has been brought along with typical patience by Dan Skelton and shaped much better than the result when fifth on handicap debut at Kempton.
Out of a half-sister to Colonel Mustard, Quaviste showed plenty of that family talent when landing a bumper and has taken the eye more than once since switched to hurdles, being given too much to do last time but keeping on encouragingly for little more than hand riding. He’s sure to prove better than his opening mark of 113 in time, and I would expect Harry Skelton to ride him a little close to the pace here, with the track tending to favour those who race prominently rather than hold-up horses.
3.30 Bet365 Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 189y
Good To Be Alive was tried in graded company for Gordon Elliott but seems to have found his niche in handicaps since moving to Olly Murphy, making the breakthrough at Plumpton last time after a couple of near misses and looking to score with a little in hand.
That win over He’s A Latchico was boosted when fourth-placed Pretending won a handicap at Market Rasen shortly afterwards and all in all, the form looks strong for the level. Raised 6lb for that success, Good To Be Alive should be able to win again before the handicapper can cut him back.
Newbury Saturday
3.15 Betvictor Veterans’ Handicap Chase 3m 1f 214y
I found it hard to get an angle in here, with Capodanno making some appeal based on the pick of his form as well as his relative youth. On the downside, he’s got no great record fresh and I’d only bring myself to back him if he looked ready to roll on his first start since finishing third to Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse a year ago.
3.45 Betvictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase 2m 3f 187y
Vincenzo has been brilliantly handled by Sam Thomas and can go one better than he did in this race 12 months ago.
The eight-year-old has since finished second in both the Paddy Power and December Gold Cups at Cheltenham and won at Ascot but is still only 8lb higher than he was a year ago, testament to the narrow margins involved in both victory and defeat.
He was mugged late after leading at the last this year but is undeniably be better horse now, and he impressed with his grit when beating Bad at Ascot last time.
Recommended
Coolanna 1.25 Doncaster – 2pts win @ 9/2 (Ladbrokes, Coral, BetVictor)
Queens Gamble 1.55 Doncaster – 1pt win @ 3/1 (general)
Dartmoor Pirate 2.30 Doncaster – 1pt win @ 13/2 (Ladbrokes, Coral, BetVictor)
Starmount 2.15 Kelso – 3pts win
@ 10/3 (general)
Quaviste 2.55 Kelso – 1pt win
@ 13/2 (Ladbrokes, Coral, BetVictor)