Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
There are three meetings to look forward to this Saturday on ITV Racing, with the main one being from Kelso, where five races are to be televised. The Scottish track features a Class 1 Listed Mare’s Hurdle, three Class 2 Handicaps and a Class 4 Handicap.
There are three races being shown from Newbury, including a Class 1 Grade 2 Mare’s Hurdle, a Class 2 Handicap Chase and a Class 3 Handicap Hurdle.
Finally, it’s nice to see the cameras venturing into North Wales for one race from Bangor-on-Dee, a Class 2 Handicap Hurdle, one of the track’s richest races of the year.
So it’s the Mares to the fore this week, with three of the nine featured races exclusively for females. However, the other six contests ensure there is something for everyone with plenty of handicap action, and here are my thoughts on the best value and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Newbury. Calimystic
2.40 Newbury. Scarface
3.15 Newbury. Rockstown Girl
3.00 Kelso. Surrey Belle
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
Beginning at Newbury with the 2.05, the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices Handicap Hurdle. This is a Class 3 race run over 2m 3f. The joint top weight and current favourite is Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Glynn Brae, who won his two races this year, both at Fontwell. This is a step up in class, and he has plenty of weight.
The other top weight is Joe Tizzard’s Alexai, who won a couple of races before Christmas and then turned out in a Listed race at Exeter last month but was a well-beaten fourth. He comes here to try and get his season back on track.
Fergal O’Brien’s Serious Challenge has won on his last two starts, carrying plenty of weight on both occasions. He should go close.
The Hobbs & White runner Oh My Johnny won a Class 4 at Hereford last month after disappointing at Haydock in a Class 3 in January.
Paul Nicholls’s Jackpot Des Bordes was a beaten short-priced favourite at Taunton at the end of December after winning at the same track the previous month. He looks unreliable.
So I prefer Nicky Henderson’s Calimystic. He ran second at Doncaster in January but got the hang of things at the same course the following month and won easily. He can carry on the good work.
The BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase is at 2.40. This Class 2 race is run over 2m 4f. The top weight is Paul Nicholls’s Matterhorn, who ran up a four-timer last summer and was last seen in Graded company last November when he ran poorly. I presume he has been waiting for better ground since then but this looks tough carrying 12 stone.
Jane Williams’s Saint Segal won the course and distance in December and has run creditably since, including earlier this month when he ran third here at Newbury. He may have to settle for a place once again.
Richard Bandey’s Theatre Man has run with some credit in novice races this season, but this is much tougher.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Bob Bob Ricard won a three-runner race at Doncaster earlier this month on good ground. He comes here on the bottom weight and the ground he likes, but this is a step up in class.
I give Joe Tizzard’s Scarface another chance. After a consistent season, he came here to Newbury at the start of this month and nearly lost his rider at the 9th fence. He went round in his own time after that mistake, but he has a chance to atone for that here.
The 3.15 is the BetVictor British EBF BetVictor ‘NH Mare’s’ Novices Hurdle. This Grade 2 contest is run over 2m 4 1/2f. This Limited Handicap has the progressive Jasmine Bliss at top weight.
Harry Derham’s classy mare has won her last two races at Ludlow and Southwell. Her weight may be a problem.
There is an Irish runner with Anthony McCann’s Rockstown Girl. She won at Chepstow in October, then fell when challenging at Cheltenham the following month. In December, she never struck a blow when finishing down the field in a Listed race at Punchestown. She can go well here.
Newland & Insole’s Scarlet O’Tara has won three times this season and shows a preference for good going. Her last run can be forgiven as she bled from the nose and was unsuited by the going, one for the frame.
Joe Tizzard’s Sunset Marquesa has won a couple of small races this season, but this is a major step up in class.
Nicky Henderson’s Crazierthandaisy has improved race by race this term and won at Warwick in December, having a couple he meets again here behind him, I expect him to confirm that form.
Henderson also runs La Pinsonniere, who was behind Jasmine Bliss last time after winning at Huntingdon in January. Improvement is required.
I like Fergal O’Brien’s Siog Geal, who won at Catterick in December and has done well in defeat since, but I think she will have difficulty holding off Rockstown Girl.
The big race at Kelso is the 3.00 the Ladbrokes Herring Queen Series Final Mare’s Novices Handicap a Class 2 race run over a sharp 2 miles. Evan Williams sends one of his best hurdlers all the way up here to challenge for this, Tour Ovalie, who has won four of her last six, last ran in a Class 1 at the Cheltenham Festival, where she was a fair 9th of 23. This may come rather soon after that effort.
Fergal O’Brien’s Northern Air won at Taunton in January but steps up in class here.
Ben Clarke’s Game Colours finally got off the mark at Lingfield in February, but this is much tougher.
Paula Smith’s Assorda has won at Catterick since coming over from France when she romped home by 12 lengths. A bold run is expected.
David Pipe’s Walkadina is fancied in some quarters but her form has been patchy since winning at Uttoxeter last November.
I prefer the top weight, Adrian Keatley’s Surrey Belle who is on a treble after wins at Uttoxeter and Newcastle latterly by 57 lengths. She can add to her trophy cabinet.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Newbury. Calimystic
2.40 Newbury. Scarface
3.15 Newbury. Rockstown Girl
3.00 Kelso. Surrey Belle
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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