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1:15 Newbury
A forever popular Veterans Chase opens proceedings on ITV today with plenty of familiar names lining up in the 3m1f contest. My selection here is SAINT XAVIER (12/1). I like to look at the younger options in the veteran’s chases and this lad fits the bill having just turned 10 in January. I think he’ll go from the front as usual here and if he gets into a nice jumping rhythm, I think he’ll go well at a track that suits front runners. Nice price.1:32 Kelso
The first race on ITV from Kelso is a Grade 2 novice hurdle over an extended 2m2f. I like RICHMOND LAKE (5/2) here for the McCain yard. She’s a solid consistent performer whose form continues to stack up well. She ran a cracker last time out when beaten 3l by leading Supreme fancy Jonbon at Haydock. She gets 5lb off market rival North Lodge today and I think that could be crucial here. Tough to beat.1:50 Newbury
The 1:50 from Newbury is a competitive handicap chase known as the Greatwood Gold Cup, ran over 2m4f. The one for me here is TAMAROC DU MATHAN (9/2). The Nicholls yard is starting to return to the form we expect slowly but surely and I think the selection can add to that improvement with a bold display here. He’s very well handicapped if putting it all together and I think this race will suit him well. He ran at Sandown over 2m last time out where the market drift gave the impression he’d come on for the effort. He now steps up to his ideal trip on his second run after wind surgery and I think he’ll go close.2:05 Kelso
The 2:05 from Kelso is a trappy handicap hurdle over 2m4f. I’ve landed on FAMOUS BRIDGE (10/3) NAP here. Certainly the most unexposed horse in the race, I believe he is capable of defying a mark of 118. He was coming to win last time out here at Kelso when coming down two hurdles from home. He’s up a 1lb for that effort but I believe compensation awaits today. Lovely racing weight of 10’3 with Hughes booked.2:20 Doncaster
The 2:20 from Doncaster is next and it is a mares novice hurdle over the 3m trip. My selection here is HOLLY HARTINGO (9/2). She is improving rapidly with each start and I think she’ll be well suited to this stamina test. She’s won her last two starts well including a victory over Hillfinch decisively last time out. That horse has came out and won since and I think she is the value in the race today.2:40 Kelso
Next up at Kelso is the Premier Chase, a handicap over 3m. I like ESPOIR DE ROMAY (7/4) NB here. He’s been kept fresh for the spring campaign since blowing the cobwebs away at Carlisle behind Fiddlerontheroof at the start of the season. That was a decent effort and the form of the race has worked out well enough. The selection was arguably going to win at Aintree beaten Chantry House last season prior to falling when looking in control. A horse highly regarded, I expect him to win this before returning to Aintree in April for another crack at Grade 1 level. CHELTENHAM OFFER:
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