Saturday 12th February 2022

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

A big welcome to this week’s preview of which my attention turns to Warwick where it’s Kingmaker Chase Day. I’ll be in attendance at this meeting which is the reason for me solely focusing on Warwick, but I’ll also share my picks for the ITV races that are set to take place at Newbury on Saturday.

A quick look back on some of the tips throughout the week on the site, it’s been a bit up and down to say the least, Vauban and Blue Lord were nice winners for us at the Dublin Racing Festival last week, and it was good to finally get a winning NAP for February on Friday with Elixir De Nutz doing the business at Kempton.

As ever though, enjoy this week’s preview!

Jordan

The first race comes up at 1:00 and is a Novices Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I’ve sided with the Skelton’s here and their charge Camdonian who’s currently a 9/4 chance in the betting. He’s only had the one run to date which was back in November, where he finished second to the smart Brave Kingdom at Chepstow. He’ll have to step-up to get the better of some battle-hardened opponents here, but that was a solid run on debut which he’s likely to progress from further, and his stable have a particularly good record at this track. He also gets the added bonus of weight off the rest of his rivals here. The main danger for me looks to be Earth Lord.

NEWBURY ITV SELECTIONS
1.15: Bravemansgame 4/5
1.50: Polish 9/2
2.25: Clan Des Obeaux 6/5
3.00: Sky Pirate 6/1
3.35: Broomfield Burg 4/1

The next race at Warwick is the 1:35 which is a Listed Mares Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. I think this is all about Indefatigable at Evens for the combination of Paul Webber and Rex Dingle. She’s a Grade 2 winning hurdler and was last seen when being narrowly denied by one of my selections on here at Cheltenham’s December meeting, in Martello Sky, who’s a very talented mare herself. I think she’s got the best form on offer in the race here and if anywhere near her best should be tough to beat. I’d note Maries Rock as the main danger.

Moving onto the 2:05 which is the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, a Grade 2 contest that’s ridden over a distance of two miles. This may have only attracted the four runners but it’s a cracking renewal of the race, of which I’m taking the side of Edwardstone at 10/11 for Alan King and Tom Cannon. He’s taken all before him this season after being unfortunately brought down at this track on his seasonal reappearance back in November, as since then he’s gone on to win a Grade 1 by 16 lengths at Sandown and followed up with an equally impressive win within Grade 2 company at Kempton on boxing day. He looks a force to be reckoned with over fences and all signs point to the Arkle following this. The obvious main danger comes in the form of Third Time Lucki.

Next up is the 2:40 which is a Handicap Hurdle over two miles. I’ve been a legitimate enthusiast of the Milton Harris yard this term and I’ve sided with one of his runners here in Genuflex at 4/1 who’s the mount of Kevin Jones. This horse has been plying his trade within juvenile company this season, and has ran in some pretty hot contests, placing within Listed company back in back in October after winning his maiden. He gets a sizeable weight for age allowance here which could prove key, I think he’s got every chance of playing a meaningful part.

The 3:15 follows which is a Handicap Chase this time, contested over two miles and four furlongs. Another stable that I’ve become a fan of this term is the Sam Thomas yard, and I’m siding with his runner Our Power here at 7/1 who’s set to be ridden by Gavin Sheehan. He arrives here in probably the best form in the race having won both of his two completed starts, and has been nudged up a couple of pounds for his success last time at Huntingdon. There’s every chance he could have more to offer though whereas a lot of these have several questions hanging over them, and that’s why he gets my vote here.

We stay within handicap company for the penultimate race of the afternoon here at Warwick which comes at 3:50, and it’s a Handicap Hurdle over three miles and two furlongs. I think this can go the Skeltons’ with Colonel Manderson who’s currently a 2/1 chance at the top of the betting. He won by over eight lengths last time out at Southwell, and whilst he’s been hit with a seven pound rise in the weights for that success, that might not be enough to stop what looks to be a progressive horse putting in another bold effort here. The main danger looks to be the in-form In Rem.

Concluding the day’s action is the 4:25 which is a National Hunt Flat Race over two miles. A wide-open looking contest of which there could be several smart ones lurking, I’ve taken a chance on Gaelic Park at 9/2 for Charlie Longsdon and Jonathan Burke. He’s already come in for support having been backed from a double figure price on the opening showing, and is an interesting contender to say the least. He won an Irish point back in November and is related to Chantry House, and as a result fetched 70,000. There’s every chance he could prove a smart recruit.