Saturday 15th March 2025
2.10 Kempton: Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: We kick things off at Kempton this Saturday for our ITV selections and the 2.10 which is a Class 3 handicap chase that’s contested over two miles and two furlongs. I’m taking a chance on First Street here for the team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He’s been a classy horse on his day and despite not winning since November 2022, that success did come off an eighteen-pound higher mark and within Grade 3 company. This is a Class 3 event, and if he progresses from his run here last time out on Boxing Day when fourth behind Leader In The Park I think that he’s got every chance of going close. First Street – 4/1 (Win)
2.25 Uttoxeter: JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle: It’s over to Uttoxeter for my second selection and this comes within the 2.25 which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle that’s contested over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. A valuable affair, of which I’ve come down on Red Risk at a big price for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He’s exposed now being a ten-year-old, however, he has plenty of very good form to his name in very-competitive company, and he posted an encouraging effort on his seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh last month when finishing third of eleven, staying on at the finish. He’s now just a pound higher than his last winning mark, and he also got course form after having won at the track previously. I think he can outrun his odds. Red Risk – 18/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
2.45 Kempton: Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle: My third selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.45 at Kempton and this is a Class 2 handicap hurdle which is ridden over two miles and five furlongs. I’m siding with another one for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville here and that’s Aston Martini who’s currently trading at a best price of 5/1 in the betting. She’s a lightly-raced mare having run seven times; however, she has won three of those and has some solid form to her name. She was recently second behind the smart Altobelli in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Ascot back in January and if she runs up to that level again here she’s got every chance off a three-pound higher mark. Aston Martini – 5/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Uttoxeter: JenningsBet Midlands Grand National: The feature race of the afternoon comes up at 3.00 at Uttoxeter and that’s the Midlands Grand National which is Class 1 Premier Handicap Chase that’s contested over a marathon distance of four miles and two furlongs. In this year’s renewal, I’ve come down on Invincible Nao for Gary & Josh Moore who’s set to be ridden by Caoilin Quinn. He’s progressed markedly since joining this yard and being stepped up in trip and he comes into the race in great form having won the Sussex National at Plumpton on his most recent start last month. He stayed on strongly that day, getting the better of the previous winner of the race Dom of Mary, who himself is a very strong stayer. That success gave the impression that this even further distance could suit, and he’ll carry a low weight here which is often a positive. If he gets a clear round, he can feature again. Invincible Nao – 12/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
3.20 Kempton: Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase: My fifth and final selection of the day comes from Kempton and in the 3.20 which is a Class 2 handicap chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs. This is another competitive-looking affair, however, I’ve taken a chance on one at a decent price and that’s Midnight River who represents the team of Dan Skelton and Ciaran Gethings. He’s a ten-year-old now, however, he has some very smart form to his name, with his last success coming in the form of a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree back in 2023, with that success coming off a six pound higher mark than his current one. This is also an ease in grade for him and he should still retain enough ability to play a part in this at a nice price. Midnight River – 10/1 (Each-Way)
