This Saturday sees jumps horse racing action right across the British Isles. Kelso betting tips feature with the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle and historic Morebattle Handicap in Scotland. It’s Grimthorpe Chase day at Doncaster, meanwhile, and the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup takes centre stage at Newbury over fences. See who our experts fancy at Navan in Ireland too…
Kelso betting tips – Tommy’s Oscar an each-way play in Morebattle Hurdle
The 2m Morebattle Handicap Hurdle is the big betting race at Kelso (15:15), and Tommy’s Oscar appeals each-way. Trained by Ann Hamilton, this six-year-old has run a string of fine races since joining the yard from Colin Bowe.
Tommy’s Oscar won an Irish point at the eighth attempt, then had one run in a bumper before going over hurdles. He quickly notched a hat-trick at Sedgefield, Newcastle and Musselburgh. The fact that he was able to follow-up under penalties highlights his ability.
This Oscar gelding was also far from disgraced when chasing home Bareback Jack in Listed company at Musselburgh last time out. Now eased in grade and making his handicap debut off an unchanged mark of 133, Tommy’s Oscar still has plenty of progress in him. Odds of 10/1 with Unibet look each-way value with some bookies paying extra places.
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My Drogo the Premier Novices’ Hurdle punt
In the 2m 2f Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle earlier on the card (13:30), My Drogo is another of our Kelso betting tips to follow-up on a taking Ascot victory under a penalty. Trained by Dan Skelton, this six-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over obstacles.
My Drogo progressed from his Newbury maiden hurdle win when scoring again up in class to this level. He ran out a ready winner of the Grade 2 Kennel Gate at Ascot and that form has been advertised in a big way since. The third horse home, Soaring Glory who had to give weight away, has since landed the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
It gives My Drogo leading form claims of completing his hat-trick. Now back from a winter break, he is fancied at 2/1 with William Hill against useful types which include the aforementioned Bareback Jack, Any News and Lucky One. This could be a good day for Team Skelton, and their other runners are worth keeping an eye on.
Doncaster betting tips – Wynn House worth a wager
The Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster has a disappointing turnout, so instead Wynn House looks well worth siding with to land the extended 3m Listed mares’ novice hurdle (14:20). Trained by Alan King, the daughter of Presenting won minor events around Bangor and Ludlow before trying open novice Grade 2 company at Cheltenham last time out.
Wynn House was a fine fourth, staying on after being outpaced and only beaten about nine lengths by Make Good. That run in the Bristol Novices’ Hurdle, an official Albert Bartlett trial, gives her claims of going better now eased in grade.
Some of Wynn House’s market rivals have been disappointing this season, notably Rayna’s World. Now racing against her own sex again, she could well bounce back. Wynn House is 9/4 with Betfred do just that and get some valuable black type for her post-racing career.
Newbury betting tips – Umbrigado up for the Greatwood Gold Cup
At Newbury, the big betting race is the 2m 4f Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (13:50), and Umbrigado has a progressive profile over fences. Trained by David Pipe, this seven-year-old son of Stowaway has won his last two starts.
After chasing home War Lord in a Haydock handicap hurdle, Umbrigado filled the same spot on his chase bow at Uttoxeter behind Northofthewall. He then went one better at Fontwell and followed-up on handicap chase debut at Wetherby off the same mark of 139. A 5lb rise in the weights for consecutive wins looks fair.
Umbrigado is still open to plenty of further progress. David Noonan now takes the ride with Tom Scudamore up at Kelso to ride leading Grand National contender Cloth Cap. There may be even more to come from Umbrigado in this sphere, so he is 13/2 with bet365 to complete a hat-trick.
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Dino Velvet on potentially dangerous mark
In the extended 2m handicap hurdle that follows the Greatwood (14:30), Dino Velvet is worth considering each-way. This seasoned handicapper that hails from the Barbury Castle yard of Alan King is now an eight-year-old but racing off 2lb below his last winning mark.
Dino Velvet is on a long losing run of 13 races since his last victory, but may have become well-treated as a result. The pick of his form includes a fine second to Verdana Blue in the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle off 134. He gets in here off 127, and that is why he’s among Newbury betting tips on offer.
Getting weight from all bar one of his nine rivals, Dino Velvet has terms in his favour. Some of the opposition have questions to answer. Will Tegerek jump off? Proschema looked better treated by the terms of the Morebattle, meanwhile. Dino Velvet is thus an each-way play at 14/1 with 888sport and could at least hit the frame again after finishing third on his last outing.
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Navan betting tips – Scarlet And Dove out for Flyingbolt success
In the 2m Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan in Ireland (15:58), Scarlet And Dove looks worth forgiving her fall last time out. One of two in the race trained by Joseph O’Brien, this daughter of Jeremy has been a little unlucky over fences this season.
Scarlet And Dove got hampered three out on her chase debut when runner-up to Yukon Lil at Cork. She then saw that form reversed by Mount Ida next time up in a Grade 3 at the same venue, but gained a deserved success at Limerick. There, Scarlet And Dove ran out an easy winner over Larquebuse and looked well worth a crack at Grade 2 level last time out.
The seven-year-old was still travelling well and giving previous open Grade 1 novice chase winner Colreevy a race when taking a tumble two out at Thurles. Provided she is no worse for that fall, Scarlet And Dove could well gain compensation for it here in an easier grade. Her odds of 2/1 with William Hill reflect that.
Santa Rossa intriguing on return
Dermot McLaughlin does well with his mares, so Santa Rossa is an interesting contender on her belated reappearance in the 2m maiden hurdle for them (14:13). This seven-year-old brings very smart back form from bumpers to the table.
Santa Rossa won her racecourse debut at Fairyhouse, then followed-up in Grade 2 company at the 2019 Dublin Racing Festival. Stepping into open company off the back of that, she ran a fine third to McFabulous in the same grade at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
As Santa Rossa then finished a keeping on fifth in the Irish Champion Bumper at Punchestown, her form commands respect. That has thrown up all sorts of winners. She’s only had one start since, coming third on her hurdles bow behind Exit Poll and the useful Jon Snow. Santa Rossa looks worth backing against Manitopark AA at 7/4 with Betfair here as a result.
