Saturday 22nd March 2025
2.25 Kelso: Ladbrokes Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle: The first of my four ITV selections this Saturday comes from Kelso and in the 2.25 which is a Class 2 handicap hurdle that’s contested over two miles and five furlongs. As with most of the races this week, this is extremely competitive. I’ve taken a chance on though Sayva here for Jonjo & A J O’Neil who’s the mount of Benjamin Macey taking off seven pounds. He’s a dual-winner within novice and maiden company over hurdles and posted an encouraging effort on handicap debut last time out at Carlisle earlier this month when finishing second of eleven. He should continue to improve following that effort, and unlike many of his rivals here is unexposed. I think he can go well at a big price. Sayva – 12/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.40 Newbury: BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase: It’s over to Newbury for my second selection of the afternoon and the 2.40 which is a Class 2 handicap chase over two miles and four furlongs. I’m chancing another one at a big price here and that’s Black Gerry for Gary & Josh Moore who’s the mount of Tom Cannon. He’s not shown much in his last few starts, however, as a result has dropped down to what looks like a very tempting mark of 123, which is sixteen pounds lower than his last winning one. He’s got some good form to his name in competitive handicaps at this level in the past, and if he’s on a going day he’s got every chance of being competitive off this mark. Black Gerry – 12/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Bet365, Sky Bet)
3.00 Kelso: Ladbrokes Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle: My third selection on the day comes within the 3.00 at Kelso and this is a Class 2 mares novice handicap hurdle that’s ridden over two miles. I like Surrey Belle in this for Adrian Keatley and Brian Hughes. She was second behind useful prospects in Siog Geal and Gibbs Island on her first two starts over hurdles before winning back-to-back novice events on her last two starts. Her most recent success was a fifty-seven length demolition of a small field at Newcastle, and whilst that form probably doesn’t add up to much I think she still has the potential to be a smart mare. She’s got an opening handicap mark of 121 here and she should prove to be a fair bit better than that. Surrey Belle – 5/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
3.15 Newbury: BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: We move up in grade in the 3.15 for my final selection of the day as this is the Grade 2 mares novice hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and four and a half furlong. A competitive-looking affair of which I’ve come down on Jasmine Bliss for Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien. She’s got a bumper success to her name already at this track and things have really clicked for her over hurdles in her last two outings, with her most recent success coming at Southwell earlier this month when getting the better of La Pinsonniere by eleven lengths, who’ll she reoppose here. The yard is having a very strong end to the campaign and I think she presents them with another live contender here. Jasmine Bliss – 5/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
