Saturday 2nd March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Greatwood Gold Cup Day
Feature Meetings: Newbury, Doncaster & Kelso
1.55 Newbury: BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase: Kicking things off for this week’s Saturday Preview is the Greatwood Gold Cup which is a Premier Handicap Chase over two miles and four furlongs. I’m with Grandeur D’Ame here for Alan King and Tom Cannon. He unseated at the first last time out at Cheltenham, so comes into the race fresh having not had a proper race since December. He shouldn’t have any issues with the likely testing ground having bolted up on heavy at Wetherby back in November on his first outing of the campaign. If getting a clear round he should be bang there. Grandeur D’Ame – 4/1 (Win)
2.17 Kelso: bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle: Over to Kelso now for their 2.17 which is the Grade 2 Premier Novice Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs. I like the chances of Personal Ambition here for the team of Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods. He won on his hurdling debut when getting the better of the useful Jingko Blue, who has since gone on to win twice, most recently in a competitive handicap. Ben Pauling’s five-year-old was well beaten next time out in Grade 2 company on heavy going but returned to form in style last time out at Doncaster when bolting up by over eight lengths. Both of his wins have come on good to soft, and I think he’s got every chance of progressing again and going close here. Personal Ambition – 5/1 (Win)
2.35: Doncaster: Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap Chase: My third selection of the afternoon comes in the 2.35 which is a handicap chase that’s contested over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Homme Public here for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, who’s the mount of Henry Brooke. He’s a progressive sort who’s already won a Grade 2 this term, albeit in fortuitous style and lost nothing in defeat last time out at Ascot when second. I think he’s still on the upgrade, which can’t be said for a lot of this line-up and if he carries on his current level of form he should be a big player. Homme Public – 3/1 (Win)
3.25 Kelso: bet365 Premier Chase: I move back up to Kelso for my fourth pick of the day which is the 3.25 and the Premier Chase over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I think Monbeg Genius is rock-solid here for the team of Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He’s developed into an ultra-consistent type within extremely competitive handicaps, which was proven once again on his most recent effort where he finished third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury back in December. He’ll contest this off the same mark and if turning up in the same kind of form he usually does he’ll be very dangerous. Monbeg Genius – 7/4 (Win) (NAP)
3.40 Doncaster: Grimthorpe Handicap Chase: Signing me off for this week’s Saturday Preview will be the 3.40 at Doncaster which is the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase, another very competitive handicap that’s ridden over three miles and two furlongs. I’ve sided with Undersupervision here for Nigel Twiston Davies and Sam Twiston-Davies. He’s got a fine record in this race, having won it back in 2022 before finishing second in it last year, and will contest this year’s renewal off just a two-pound higher mark than both of those fine efforts. He’s been pulled up in two of his three starts this term which isn’t ideal, however, he ran well at Cheltenham on his penultimate start when finishing third. He’s got ideal conditions though here in a race he clearly enjoys, and I think he can go well in it once more. Undersupervision – 6/1 (Each-Way)
Image provided by https://www.horseracingphoto.co.uk and is licensed under a Creative Commons
