Saturday 22nd February 2025
2.10 Newcastle: Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase: Kicking things off for me this Saturday will be the 2.10 at Newcastle which is Eider Chase, a Class 2 handicap chase over four miles and a furlong and a half. I like Collectors Item here for Jonjo & A J O’Neil who’s the mount of Jack Hogan taking off three pounds. He won the Somerset National last time out in good style by three-lengths and he stayed on strongly that day giving encouragement for today’s trip. He’s effectively only running off a pound higher when you take his rider’s claim into consideration and if he does see out the distance here he can have a big say. Collectors Item – 9/1 (Each-Way)
2.40 Southwell: BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes: My second selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.40 at Southwell and this is the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes over five furlongs. I’ve come down on Valiant Force in this for the team of Adrian Murray and David Egan. He was the winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot back in 2023 at 150/1 and has proved since that it wasn’t a fluke by running several big races, including a second-place effort at the Breeders Cup. Most recently, he’s been in good form at Dundalk winning two of his last three starts impressively as well as a close-up fourth in a Group 3. On most recent form he’s got to be considered a big player here. Valiant Force – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Kempton: Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle: It’s over to Kempton for selection number three and this comes within the 3.00 which is the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle over two miles. I’m strong on the chances of Miami Magic here who represents Stuart Edmunds and Charlie Hammond. He’s an exciting prospect who comes into the race having finished a couple of lengths behind Potters Charm in the Grade 1 Formby Novices Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day. Prior to that, he handed out a twelve-length beating to the now 126-rated George’s Lad over course and distance, and on this form, I think he’s the one to beat here. Miami Magic – 15/8 (Win)
3.35 Kempton: Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase: Signing me off for the day will be the 3.35 at Kempton and this is the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase which is a Premier Handicap that’s ridden over a distance of three miles. In this extremely competitive affair, I’m siding with Lowry’s Bar for Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White, who’s the mount of Micheal Nolan. He’s a progressive novice who was second to the smart Jingko Blue last time out in Grade 2 company at Windsor and could’ve arguably been closer had it not been for an error. There’s likely a considerable amount of improvement to come from him and I think he looks as though he has more still to offer than most of his rivals here. If he gets a clear round he can be bang there at the business end of things. Lowry’s Bar – 11/2 (Each-Way)
