1:20 Newbury – Veterans’ Handicap Chase
An interesting renewal, and while those at the head of the market have questions to answer, the one who stands out is CLOUDY GLEN.
A former Hennessy winner, he ran a big race in last year’s renewal off 143 and now finds himself just 2lb higher than his Haydock win in December. He gave Good Boy Bobby 6lb and a 7.5 length beating that day—an effort that earned him an RPR of 147, proving he still retains plenty of ability.
The first-time cheekpieces are a big plus (6 of the last 15 winners wore them) and Venetia Williams likes to target this race, with her last 12 runners producing a winner and 2 places. With Charlie Deutsch riding well at present, he looks set to go close.
At a much bigger price, AMATEUR could be worth a small saver. Another former course winner, all four of his subsequent wins have come at Ffos Las over marathon trips. He’s been pulled up on his last four starts, but his record shows he’s capable of bouncing back. He gets plenty of weight all around here and the switch back to blinkers from cheekpieces is interesting.
Tips
🏇 Cloudy Glen – 0.9pt Win @ 14/1
bet365
🏇 Amateur – 0.1pt Win @ 33/1
Betfair, Paddy Power
3:15 Doncaster – Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
A race that tends to favour lightweights when there’s no standout class horse, and this year’s renewal looks wide open.
UNDERSUPERVISION is the most interesting of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ three runners. A former winner of this race in 2022, he also finished second in 2023 but was pulled-up last year when racing off 134. He’s now down to 127—his lowest-ever mark over fences—and gets an extra 5lb taken off by James Turner. His last run over a sharp 3m hinted at a revival, and this extra 2f should bring out the best in him. He won’t mind the ground and, at 20/1, looks too big.
ERNE RIVER is a Doncaster specialist with form figures of 11215U44 around here. He’s been steadily dropping down the weights and is now running off 130, his lowest mark since winning here in December 2023. He got a little outpaced in the Great Yorkshire Chase last time, so this extra 2f could be just what he needs and underfoot conditions look ideal for him.
Tips
🏇 Undersupervision – 0.5pt Win @ 20/1
bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes
🏇 Erne River – 0.5pt Win @ 16/1
Betway, Paddy Power
3:30 Kelso – Morebattle Hurdle
A fiercely competitive renewal, and while Favour And Fortune deserves his place at the head of the market, this tight track and big field could make life tricky for him under top weight. With so many potential improvers lurking lower down the handicap, it’s worth taking him on at the prices.
WILFUL looks the standout alternative. His sixth to Altobelli at Ascot last time is some of the strongest form on offer, and the way he travelled that day suggests this sharper test will suit. He had most of the field in trouble from three out but emptied late on, so the drop back in trip should play to his strengths. A tight left-handed track like Kelso also looks ideal, and off 122, he could have plenty in hand.
At a much bigger price, OLD GREGORIAN also makes plenty of appeal. He was beaten just 4 lengths by last year’s winner Cracking Rhapsody here in December but meets him on 18lb better terms time around. His record at Kelso reads 121, and a strongly run race should suit. Conner McCann is also excellent value for his 7lb claim.
Tips
🏇 Wilful – 1pt Win @ 12/1
Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet
🏇 Old Gregorian – 1pt Win @ 33/1
General
3:45 Newbury – Greatwood Gold Cup
An intriguing renewal, with a mix of Grand National contenders stepping down in trip and speedier types stretching out to 2m4f. That could set things up for a proper middle-distance specialist and TEDLEY fits the bill at a massive price.
He’s taken his form up a notch this season and his ¾ length second to the 152-rated Kalif Du Berlais here in December looks rock-solid. The winner has followed up since, the second went close at Kempton over Christmas, the fifth has won twice, and the fourth went close in a Grade 2 next time.
Stamina should be no issue as he stayed 2m5f well at Ascot two starts back. He finished only ¼ length behind Scarface that day, yet is available at four times the price of that rival here despite a 1lb pull in the weights.
He was out of his depth over an inadequate trip last time, but that run can be forgiven and the return to 2m4f should see him in much better light. First-time cheekpieces could also eke out a little more improvement, and horses wearing them are 5-15 in this race for a +41.5pt profit.
He’s far too big at the prices and will pay the same as an 8/1 winner if he hits the frame with Betfair and Paddy Power both paying 5 places.
Tips
🏇 Tedley – 1pt EW @ 40/1
Betfair, Paddy Power | 5 Places, ⅕ Odds