Andrew Asquith has the Saturday best bets with the Nap in action at Kelso.
Saturday selections
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook
Today's Request-A-Bet
- CASTLE CARROCK to win 2.55 Kelso
- WHITE RHINO to place in 3.15 Doncaster (5 places)
- LOVERDOSE to place 4.15 Newbury (4 places)
CASTLE CARROCK – 2.55 Kelso (NAP)
It is a good renewal of the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle, and the Willie Mullins-trained Chart Topper adds further intrigue, but CASTLE CARROCK appeals as a horse destined to develop into a smart novice.
He made a deep impression when winning his bumper by 16 lengths at Ayr in November and he was picked up by current connections for £100,000 soon afterwards.
Castle Carrock looked well above average when making a winning start over hurdles at Sandown, too, impressing with how powerfully he travelled, and sprinting clear of the 9/2-on favourite in the closing stages.
The timefigure he recorded was good for the level and given what he’s shown on the track so far he is well up to making his mark up in grade.
WHITE RHINO – 3.15 Doncaster
WHITE RHINO was a progressive hurdler, a five-time winner at up to three miles in that sphere, and he has also taken well to fences this season.
He made a winning start over fences in good style over two and a half miles at Ayr in November, jumping well in the main (not so fluent at the fifth) and proving strong at the finish.
That form worked out well and he proved better than ever when following up at Haydock, comprehensively beating a stronger field than he did at Ayr in more impressive fashion.
White Rhino was upped markedly in grade last time in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton, but he was unable to show what he could do at that level, blundering and unseating his rider at the third fence. Back in handicap company now, he remains a horse to be interested in from a mark of 141, especially now moving up even further in trip.
LOVERDOSE – 4.15 Newbury
Conditions are set to be testing at Newbury, the hurdles course a little worse than the chase according to the going stick, and that will suit the claims of LOVERDOSE.
He has proved a revelation since entering handicaps, opening his account in heavy ground at Exeter, and his only defeat since came at the hands of a well-treated mare who showed the benefit of a breathing operation.
Loverdose produced another big career-best effort when scoring by 10 lengths at Sandown in January, again handling testing conditions well, and the way he forged clear in the closing stages suggests he has even more to offer.
The handicapper has raised him 7lb in the weights since, but that looks generous, and he’s definitely one to keep on the right side.
WITHOUT COMPROMISE – 5.15 Newcastle
WITHOUT COMPROMISE cost 1,300,000 guineas as a yearling – he’s a brother to Group 1 winner Without Parole – but he was picked up for just 22,000 guineas as a three-year-old and, while he’s not going to follow in the footsteps of his brother, he has shown promise in recent weeks.
He showed fairly useful form in four starts in maiden and novice company and shaped a fair bit better than the bare result on his handicap debut over a mile and a half at Wolverhampton three weeks ago.
Without Compromise started co-favourite on that occasion but didn’t get the clearest run, short of room when attempting to make a challenge over a furlong out and he was interfered with again soon after. He finished with running left at the line and there should be an even bigger performance in him.
This looks a stronger race, but he looks potentially well treated from his current mark, and this more galloping track will suit him well, while the booking of Hollie Doyle catches the eye.
CHARMAINE – 5.30 Southwell
CHARMAINE showed improved form to open her account over a mile at Kempton in September and she shaped well in defeat on her next two starts.
She was beaten only a neck by a thriving type over an extended nine furlongs at Wolverhampton just before Christmas and it is best to overlook her run in the Winter Oaks at Lingfield last time.
Charmaine was left poorly placed given the way that race unfolded, unable to make an impact from the rear after the winner set steady fractions in front, but leaving the impression she’s still in top form. This is a much weaker race and she’s expected to confirm herself on a good mark.
Sunday selections
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook
FIERCE WARRIOR – 3.07 Doncaster (NAP)
Nicky Henderson rarely leaves Doncaster without a winner and he might strike with FIERCE WARRIOR in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Hurdle on Sunday. The six-year-old is on a retrieval mission after a poor showing at this track last time out, but he's been given every chance dropping into a Class 5 and dropping in trip. Both should help and on his Plumpton win and previous Doncaster third he's got a chance here off this mark at this trip in this company.
DICKENS – 4.27 Huntingdon
Just the one runner for Alan King at Huntingdon on Sunday but he’s quite an interesting one with DICKENS representing the yard in the Fail To Plan, Plan To Fail Handicap Hurdle. He’s a keen going sort who always wears a hood and Sunday’s jockey Philip Armson didn’t do a bad job of getting him to race more efficiently when he anchored him in the rear at Uttoxeter last time. He still pulled, but he was going as well as anything when falling three out and if he learns from that experience he could put it all together here under the same rider.
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