Free racing tips: Simon Holt previews Saturday's action

Racing betting tips: Saturday February 27

1pt win Major Dundee in 1.15 Kempton at 11/2 (bet365)

2pts win Sam's Adventure in 3.15 Newcastle at 9/2 (General)

1pt win Aso in 3.35 Kempton at 20/1 (General)*

*Non Runner

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

SAM'S ADVENTURE, a horse with a consistent record at Newcastle, can relish the return to Gosforth Park in the course's feature event, the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase, on Saturday.

The Brian Ellison-trained nine-year-old has been generally progressive over fences, and bounced back to his best when taking the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December (Salty Boy third) after which he unseated his rider at around half-way when second favourite to beat the smart Royal Pagaille in the Peter Marsh on the same course.

That jumping error probably saved Sam's Adventure from a hard race that day up against a horse who now figures towards the top of the Cheltenham Gold Cup market and, while Haydock clearly suits him well, his record at Newcastle includes a win over hurdles and seconds over fences behind Lord Du Mesnil and an in-form Domaine De L'Isle as well as a second to On The Blind Side in a jumpers bumper.

That last effort preceded another winning performance at Uttoxeter on Midlands Grand National day last March when, ridden by Henry Brooke, Sam's Adventure showed great staying power in heavy ground to hold off the useful Musical Slave.

Brooke, who recently returned to the saddle having recovered from neck injuries, is back aboard and, while this step up to four miles represents new territory, I think he's on potentially the most progressive horse in the line-up.

At Kempton, MAJOR DUNDEE could prove handily weighted in the opening Close Brothers Asset Finance Handicap Hurdle.

This lightly-raced six-year-old steps into handicap company for the first time after two solid efforts at Warwick and Doncaster; on the former occasion, he stayed on well behind the odds-on trailblazer Bothwell Bridge on quick ground round a course where front-runners can be difficult to catch, and then lost out on the nod after travelling well against Sometimes Always (a winner before and since) at Doncaster (heavy).

Clearly ground versatile and now stepping up a couple of furlongs in trip, Major Dundee's opening mark of 124 looks potentially lenient given the improving profile of the two horses who have beaten him while the Doncaster third Ulverston was beaten a neck at Carlisle earlier this week.

Later on, ASO could be over-priced in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase making a quickish reappearance after his neck second to Two For Gold at Warwick 12 days ago.

Long one of the best horses trained by the in-form Venetia Williams, the 11-year-old must have come out of that race - his best effort for some time - in good shape, and it is worth noting that he finished strongly when fourth here behind Pilgrim's Bay in 2017.

After that effort, Aso proved himself close to top class and was twice second in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (behind Un De Sceaux and Frodon respectively) earning a handicap rating of 168.

At the age of 11, he is clearly not the force of old but that latest Warwick run carrying top weight in what looked a competitive contest proved he can't be written off and, off 155 here, he is also 3lb well in compared to his adjusted future rating.

• Published 1610 GMT on 26/02/21

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