Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
A mixed bag of racing this week on ITV, with seven races being covered from three different tracks.
The main meeting is from Kempton Park, with four races being televised, which consist of three Grade 2’s – two novices races, a hurdle and a Chase, along with a juvenile hurdle – and a top-class handicap chase. These are the last decent trials before Cheltenham.
From Newcastle, ITV Racing are showing the Eider Chase, a proper Grand National trial run over 4 miles, a real test of endurance.
Finally, they are covering two races on the all-weather from Southwell: a 5-furlong Listed race and the Group 3 Winter Derby. So there’s something for everyone this week. Here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
3.00 Kempton. Starcrossed Lover
3.35 Kempton. Our Power
2.10 Newcastle. Passing Well
2.40 Southwell. Diligent Harry
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
Beginning at Kempton with the 3.00, the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest run over 2 miles. The bookies’ favourite here is Stuart Edmunds’s Miami Magic, who won a Class 4 here last November. Since then, he has run second in a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day, beating Celtic Dino and Roadlesstravelled. These are good credentials.
Fergal O’Brien’s Tripoli Flyer has won a Class 4 and a Class 2 this season, but more is required here.
Chris Gordon’s Andashan romped home in a Class 4 event at Kempton earlier this month, winning by 18 lengths. He can go close once again.
Ben Pauling’s Roysse won a minor race at Uttoxeter last month, where he made it all, but he won’t have it all his own way here.
I like the look of Neil Mulholland’s Starcrossed Lover, who has shown improvement on each occasion he has run. He won a Class 4 at Hereford by 17 lengths on his last outing in January and he may have the beating of the favourite Miami Magic here.
The 3.35 is the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, and this is a Class 1 Premier Handicap run over 3 miles. Top weight here is the Hobbs & White trained Lowry’s Bar, who won twice in December and was only denied victory in a Grade 2 at Windsor in January by a mistake at the third last.
Nicky Henderson’s exciting novice Hyland has won three times this season, including twice at Cheltenham. Last time out here at Kempton on Boxing Day, Hyland ran a fine second in a Grade 1 novice chase. But he’s up against some experienced chasers here.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Beachcomber won here at the Christmas meeting, but that was just a Class 3 contest and this is a big step up in class.
Paul Nicholls’s has two runners, Tahmuras and Golden Son, and both have chances. Tahmuras ran a close 4th at Wetherby on Boxing Day when he was less than 3 lengths behind the winner.
Golden Son was a well beaten 3rd behind Beachcomber here at Kempton in December but is 9lbs better off with that rival this time around.
Another trainer with two runners is Sam Thomas with Our Power and Katate Dori. The latter is bottom weight and has won a couple of small races this season.
But Our Power looks much more interesting. He won this race when it was a Grade 3 back in 2023 and has shown fine form this season, with two seconds at Cheltenham. He can take this once again.
Moving north to Newcastle and the 2.10 is the Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase, this is a Class 2 run over the marathon distance of 4m 1 1/2f. Top weight is Jonjo O’Neill’s Collectors Item, who won at Wincanton last month. He has a lot of weight to carry over 4 miles.
Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s O’Connell has only 4lbs less but is on a four-timer after wins at Carlisle, Market Rasen and last month at Sandown in a Class 2. He is sure to go close.
Alan King’s Egbert won the Tommy Whittle at Haydock in December, but the rise in the handicap won’t help his cause.
Brian Ellison’s Anglers Crag won this last year, carrying 8 lbs less than his current mark. He has disappointed so far this season.
Not so with Ben Haslam’s Ilikedwayurthinkin won here at Gosforth Parth back in November. It’s his fourth win so far this season. He almost carried top-weight to victory at Ayr last month, and a bold run is expected.
Neil King’s Sporting Ace won a Class 3 in the bottomless ground at Lingfield last month, but this race may come a little soon after those exertions, but he may be placed.
Another for the frame is Henry Daly’s Bretney, who won over 4 miles at Kelso in December but was pulled up at Musselburgh last month. If he is over that poor run, he can hit the frame at a nice price.
But my eye has been taken by Jamie Snowden’s Passing Well, who was only beaten a head at Lingfield by Sporting Ace last time. He is just a pound better off here, but better going should suit him. He had previously run well at Wincanton and Sandown. Also, he is a course winner here at Newcastle. He deserves to get off the mark for the season.
I will finish the Lucky Fifteen with the 2.40 at Southwell the BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes, a 5 furlong Listed contest. Karl Burke’s Marshman is the favourite after winning twice already this season.
Robert Cowell’s Clarendon House won here at Southwell in 2023 and won a Listed race at Cork last summer.
Charles Hills’ Equilateral won a Class 2 here in December, and he is a past winner of a Group 2 at Meydan in 2021.
An Irish raider is Adrian Murray’s Valiant Force, who won on the all-weather at Dundalk earlier this month proving his fitness.
But my preference is last year’s winner, Clive Cox’s Diligent Harry, who had a prep run behind Marshman at Lingfield earlier this month. The winner receives a 3lb penalty for this.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
3.00 Kempton. Starcrossed Lover
3.35 Kempton. Our Power
2.10 Newcastle. Passing Well
2.40 Southwell. Diligent Harry
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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