Saturday 28th February 2026
Kelso, Doncaster, Newbury
1.10 Kelso: bet365 Handicap Chase
Six-year-old TORNEO could prove to be the one to side with in this handicap chase; he’s yet to win over fences this term, however, he’s been knocking at the door, and was only narrowly denied at Windsor last time out when going down by a head to Highlands Legacy. He faces mostly more exposed rivals here, and should be bang there again off a four-pound higher mark for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan. Doyen Du Bar would edge second choice for Nicky Richards and Danny McMenamin, if he shows his form from twelve months ago.
1.25 Doncaster: Virgin Bet A Good Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
This is a competitive listed event for the mares that could well go the way of DREAM SHADOW for Fergal O’Brien and Kielan Woods. She was impressive when winning maidens at Warwick and Ayr, by a combined total of twelve lengths, then took her form to the next level when finishing fourth of nine behind Kingston Queen in Grade 2 company at Warwick last time out. She drops back into Listed company here, and there could be more to come over three miles. Irish-raider Barra Rua is a significant threat for Emmet Mullins, who finished fourth of twenty-one in an ultra-competitive twenty-one-runner Listed handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out.
1.40 Kelso: bet365 Premier Chase
It’s incredibly difficult to see past the very admirable PROTEKTORAT here for the Skeltons. He’s an eleven-year-old now; however, he still showed he retains plenty of ability, winning at Windsor last time out by three and three-quarters of a length. He’s miles clear on ratings here, and it would be a big shock should he not collect another victory at his very skinny odds. His main danger would probably be the fences.
1.55 Doncaster: Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase
It could be worth taking a chance on HOMME PUBLIC here for the team of Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. He won this race off a six-pound higher mark in 2024 and was second in it off nine pounds higher last year. He’s not been seen to best effect so far this term; however, he seems to save his best for this track. He’s weighted to go well if a return to Town Moor sparks a revival. Mighty Bandit is an obvious big player and comes here in great form, having won back-to-back races, including by eight lengths here last time out.
2.15 Kelso: bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle
The team of Ben Pauling and Ben Jones have been having a fine campaign, and they could land another big race here with the six-year-old STARMOUNT. He’s a point winner who opened his account under rules at the first time of asking at Wetherby in December, taking a novice event by five lengths. He was then fourth of six in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day, when quite a way behind Idaho Sun; however, he was very impressive most recently back at Wetherby, beating Kak’s Cousin by fifteen lengths. That rival has since come out to win well, giving the form a strong feel, and he could be another nice prospect for Pauling. Le Beau Madrik is a big danger for the Skeltons, and he’ll likely post a bold bid to retain his unbeaten record over hurdles.
2.30 Doncaster: Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
The Grimthorpe is always extremely competitive, and this year’s renewal is no different. It could, however, pay to side with the Charlie Longsdon-trained NEW ORDER, who’s set to be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies on this occasion. He was a very solid three and three-quarters of a length second to Dartmoor Pirate in the Grade 3 Great Yorkshire Chase here last time out, and is now five pounds better off with that reopposing rival here. He’s got every chance of going a place better here off the same mark. King’s Threshold is a big danger for Emma Lavelle, who was impressive last time out at Newbury.
2.55 Kelso: bet365 Morebattle Hurdle
This could prove to be another Saturday handicap success for the Skeltons with six-year-old QUAVISTE. He’s a bumper winner who wasn’t given a hard time of it on his handicap debut at Kempton last month, keeping on in the closing stages to finish fifth of eight. He remains on the same mark for this particular assignment, and it would be no big surprise to see significant improvement from him here. Jet To Vegas could be interesting now he’s back over hurdles, having won a Grade 2 novice event on this card last year. He’s the second choice.
3.15 Newbury: 1 Up, Job Done At BetVictor Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Paul Nicholls could hold the key to this veteran’s event at Newbury with BRAVE KINGDOM, who’s the mount of Harry Cobden. He returned to form last time out at Taunton when finishing a length and a half second of four behind Royal Jewel earlier this month. His last victory also came at this track off a five-pound higher mark, albeit back in 2023. That being said, he should retain enough ability to be very competitive within this company. Mister Coffey should also have enough ability to finally claim that elusive chase victory now aimed among veteran company, and he’s the second choice.
3.30 Kelso: bet365 Handicap Hurdle
FLORIDA DREAMS is back down to his last winning mark here for Nicky Richards, and despite not getting his head in front so far this term, has plenty of solid runs in defeat among competitive company. Brian Hughes once again takes the ride here, and he should have plenty in his favour now he’s back down in trip from three miles last time out. He looks solid and can have a big say. The unexposed Good To Be Alive is a big danger for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen, who won last time out at Plumpton and looks progressive for his powerful team.
3.45 Newbury: BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase
The Greatwood Gold Cup is another fiercely competitive handicap chase, where a case could be made for the majority of the field. Nine-year-old TWINJETS returned to action this term in fine form, winning back-to-back chases, including a ten-length success over course and distance on his penultimate start, with the reopposing Heltenham in second. He unseated last time out at Cheltenham; however, if he’s in the same form as his most recent success here, he has to be a player off a seven-pound higher mark. Issam could be an each-way play in the race for Tom Symonds. He was impressive when pulling away to win by six and a half lengths at Kempton earlier this month.
1.10 Kelso – TORNEO (5/2) (Win) (NB) – Doyen Du Bar (Danger)
1.25 Doncaster – DREAM SHADOW (11/2) (Each-Way) – Barra Rua (Danger)
1.40 Kelso – PROTEKTORAT (1/7) (Win)
1.55 Doncaster – HOMME PUBLIC (7/1) (Each-Way) – Mighty Bandit (Danger)
2.15 Kelso – STARMOUNT (7/2) (Win) (NAP) – Le Beau Madrik (Danger)
2.30 Doncaster – NEW ORDER (8/1) (Each-Way) – King’s Threshold (Danger)
2.55 Kelso – QUAVISTE (13/2) (Each-Way) – Jet To Vegas (Danger)
3.15 Newbury – BRAVE KINGDOM (11/2) (Each-Way) – Mister Coffey (Danger)
3.30 Kelso – FLORIDA DREAMS (3/1) (Win) – Good To Be Alive (Danger)
3.45 Newbury – TWINJETS (9/2) (Win) – Issam (Danger)
