Doncaster Saturday

2:20 Virgin Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) 3m 84y

This is a marked step up in class, but I was very impressed by Holly Hartingo when she won in heavy ground at Huntingdon last time, and in particular with her slick jumping in conditions. That was just her second start, and her first was also impressive, as she had Miss Fairfax a length and a half behind when making a winning debut at Ludlow, while dual subsequent winner Flying Nun was well held in a race which has worked out extremely well.

The mare she beat last time went one better on her next start, and the form of those novice contests looks much stronger with the benefit of hindsight.

Holly Hartingo has a stone to find on the figures with Get A Tonic, but she appeals as being on a very lenient mark, and it looks significant that Alastair Ralph is happy to forgo that mark to take in this listed contest. She looks open to plenty of improvement, and with conditions holding no fears, can maintain her unbeaten record.

2:55 Virgin Bet Handicap Chase 2m 78y

The booking of Darragh O’Keeffe for Cheddleton takes the eye, and Jennie Candlish’s top-weight should go well, but The Big Bite goes particularly well at Doncaster, where his form figures read 122, while he’s also been first and second on his only starts on heavy ground.

He remains well treated having had his mark unchanged after being beaten a length (in receipt of 8lb) by subsequent Game Spirit winner Funambule Sivola here last time, and that looks quite a generous piece of handicapping in the circumstances.

There will be no fancy prices, but he looks by far the most solid selection in this field.

3:30 Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase 3m 2f 1y

Storm Control really should have won the SkyBet Chase here last time, but ironically everything went too well for him for most of the race, and he ended up isolated in front between the last two fences, causing him to idle badly and get caught on the line having looked to have the runner-up’s measure all the way up the straight.

That was the second time he has been ridden by Daire McConville, and the old horse goes very sweetly for Kerry Lee’s 10lb claimer. He bolted up at Newbury when McConville rode him previously, and a repeat of either of those runs may well be good enough here, especially as testing ground at this trip is a huge negative for Cloth Cap.

Le Milos was very game in winning at Sandown last time, but that race was made up of exposed handicappers, and a small rise may scupper his bid for a hat-trick.

Kelso Saturday

2:05 Bet365 Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 189y

The pair who catch the eye here are Famous Bridge and Democratic Oath. Famous Bridge is unexposed, and might well have won here at Kelso last time but for an unseat two out having been sent off a red-hot favourite.

The pair who fought out the finish that day are both entered in the Morebattle, and the form is likely to prove strong. A return to softer conditions will help his cause, and he looks sure to go well, for all his price may be on the skinny side.

Democratic Oath won a heavy-ground contest at Sedgefield a year ago, and looked one to keep on side in similar conditions, but he hasn’t taken to fences, and finished lame at Musselburgh in January.

That suggests that his preparation for this may have been rushed, but if he came here fully wound up, he would have a decent chance on his old hurdles form, while he’s still unexposed in this sphere.

2:40 Bet365 Premier Chase (Listed Race) 2m 7f 96y

Espoir De Romay is the class act here, and has conditions to suit as well, so he would be hard to oppose if his fitness was guaranteed.

That is the one sticking point here, as he looked a tad rusty when beaten in the Colin Parker Memorial on his return, and a lengthy absence since that run does raise slight questions against his readiness for this test.

That said, I think his form last season was excellent, and he would probably have been beaten Chantry House in a Grade 1 at Aintree on his final start, so I may be tempted to get involved if he drifts a little from his overnight odds.

3:15 Bet365 Morebattle Hurdle 2m 51y

It may be folly to oppose Metier here, as he gets his ground, and his Grade 1 romp at Sandown last season is easily recalled, but I’m inclined to take a small chance of Balko Saint, who has a big chance based on his win in a listed hurdle at Kempton in October.

He’s not been seen since running below form at Compiegne late that month, but he was bouncing back from a poor run in France when producing his career-best effort at Kempton, and he was an impressive winner at Wincanton a year ago when returning from a similar absence, his second win off a break.

He handles heavy ground, goes well fresh, and is well handicapped, so merits attention at double-figure odds.

Newbury Saturday

1:15 Play Pick 6 And Win £1000 Veterans’ Handicap Chase 3m 1f 214y

Only two of interest on the ground here, and with Kauto Riko probably flattered by his effort in the Cotswold Chase, the percentage call is to side with Indy Five, who comes from a yard whose recent runners have all performed with credit, and who has a fine record over course and distance.

Indeed, Indy Five might have beaten the progressive Copperhead in the Mandarin over course and distance a couple of seasons ago but for falling at the last.

He has a course win in heavy ground to his name, and was back to near his best when second to Manwell at Catterick last time. He looks sure to run his race, and should be market leader.

1:50 BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 3f 187y

Amour De Nuit found a weak race at Musselburgh last time, and this consistent sort looks vulnerable back up in the weights. Preference is for Paint The Dream, who was an impressive winner on soft ground here in December 2020, and was a winner over this trip at Chepstow in October.

He’s been a bit below that form since, albeit not disgraced, and he now finds himself back on his last winning mark, and with a big chance of being able to dictate his own terms, with only Glen Forsa of the others likely to go forward early. Paint The Dream is a reliable operator when getting his conditions, and he looks ready to strike again for a yard back among the winners of late.

Recommended

Holly Hartingo 2:20 Doncaster – 1pt e/w @ 5/1 (Bet365, 9/2 general)

Storm Control 3:30 Doncaster – 2pts win @ 5/1 (general)

Balko Saint 3:15 Kelso – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (Bet365, or 11/1 SkyBet, Hills – 5 places)