Saturday 1st March 2025
2.05 Doncaster: Livescore Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: The first of my four selections on this week’s Saturday ITV blog comes within the 2.05 at Doncaster and this is a Listed Mares Novice Hurdle over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Miss Cynthia here for Lucy Wadham and Gavin Sheehan. She was a smart mare on the flat with a rating of 96 and even contested the Group 1 Prix du Cadran when a distant fourth behind Kyprios. She got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles when winning at Market Rasen a few weeks ago and there’s likely more progression to come. This doesn’t look like a strong Listed contest and she could improve over a few of these. Miss Cynthia – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.15 Doncaster: Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase: My second selection of the afternoon comes from Doncaster and in the 3.15 which is a Class 2 handicap chase that’s ridden over a distance of three miles and two furlongs. I like the chances of Hymac in this for the combination of Harry Fry and Bryan Carver. He’s still relatively lighty-race for a nine-year-old and has been in good form this term in his three runs, winning a novice hurdle on his seasonal reappearance before placing in a couple of competitive handicap chases, firstly at Cheltenham which was a Grade 3 affair before finishing second of nine in a Class 2 event at Newbury last time out in December. He remains on the same mark as that Newbury effort, and if getting a clear round here, he can be bang there again. Hymac – 13/2 (Each-Way)
3.30 Kelso: bet365 Morebattle Hurdle: Next up for me will be the 3.30 at Kelso and this is the Morebattle Hurdle which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle over two miles. This is another competitive affair, however, I’ve come down on Favour And Fortune who represents the team of Alan King and Tom Cannon. He signed off his campaign last term with a win in the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle and has returned to the track with two solid-enough efforts within competitive handicaps at Ascot and Newbury. I thought his most recent run was actually very encouraging when finishing fourth of seventeen in the Grade 3 William Hill Hurdle and he should come on again for that run here. He’ll also contest this off the same mark as last time out at Newbury and I think that he looks like a solid each-way play. Favour And Fortune – 13/2 (Each-Way)
3.45 Newbury: BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase: My fourth and final selection of the day comes from Newbury and in the 3.45 which is the Greatwood Gold Cup, a Premier handicap chase over two miles and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Saint Segal in this for Jane Williams and David Noonan. He’s been a tough horse to catch on a going day throughout the years, however, he’s seemed to found his feet as of late, winning a Class 3 handicap chase by eleven lengths here back in December before finishing second to The Kalooki Kid in the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh last time out. He’s back up in the weights as a result of his recent good form, however, he’s only a couple pounds higher than his very solid effort last time and I think that he can have a say again in this particular assignment. Saint Segal – 9/1 (Each-Way)
