*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
12:50 Lingfield – King Robert
King Robert is well worth including in this week’s Value Plays as the selection comes under the heading ‘every dog has his day’.
This veteran eight-year-old has not troubled the judge for two years and fully 23 races, but has recently strongly hinted that his turn is just around the corner.
Nearest the finish on both of his last two starts over the course distance, just getting into top gear a wee bit too late. However, the pace in both of those contests wasn’t all that hot and a stronger end to end gallop can be expected here with plenty of pressers set to line up and race at the sharp end.
In light of those two runs the handicapper has been very kind in dropping the old boy to a mark of 56 and if the gaps open up late on, he could prove too strong for the likes of Something Lucky (funnily enough the horse he beat for his last success in March 2019) and He Ho Let’’s Go.
He is a banker to hit the frame.
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
13:15 Newbury – West Approach
A really interesting veterans chase which becomes even more intriguing because of the drying ground.
Of course with all these experienced campaigners if you go back far enough in their careers it is easy to conclude that the majority of them are well treated.
West Approach showed enough on his return to action following a mid-winter break to suggest that he maintains the majority of his considerable old ability and had this race been at Cheltenham, I would be having a near maximum bet on him.
That comeback run behind Beau Bay at Doncaster can be upgraded as he pulled ferociously through the first half mile and did well to last as long as he did, eventually being beaten seven and a quarter lengths back in fourth spot. If he puts in a clear round of jumping then the old boy should be in thick of things coming down the final home stretch.
That run should have taken the freshness out of him and he looks a massive player off a mark of 145, joint top weight with Present Man, another who will relish these better conditions.
Sir Ivan also comes into the equation following a solid run in deep ground at Sandown where he unsurprisingly faded up the final climb. You could argue that the intermediate trip 2m 6f suits him best, but on this surface he will have every chance of getting home.
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14:05 Kelso – War Lord
It’s a dangerous occupation to even consider tipping a Colin Tizzard horse in the ‘Value’ column, but to make it two on the same day may be rightly condemned to the core!
However, without winning a bunch of races there have been signs in the last fortnight that his string are slowly returning to form and War Lord could still reside on a good mark to make an impact in this competitive event.
The son of Jukebox Jury readily beat the upwardly mobile Umbrigado on his second start of the campaign over two and a half miles at Haydock Park, a performance notable for its slick jumping and high cruising speed.
His last two runs off 138 have been fairly flat, but they have come in some cracking events and the combination of much better ground and returning to a left handed track should be hugely in his favour.
Returning to hurdles the talented Mayo Star could be well treated off 125, while the lightly raced Flash Collonges has obvious claims being on a sharp upward curve from a top yard.
14:30 Newbury – Glynn
Proschema will almost certainly make the market here having recorded back-to-back wins on the Tapeta at Newcastle and arrives here thoroughly unexposed over hurdles.
Dan Skelton always likes to aim one at the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and this is his boy, but he desperately needs to win to get in at the foot of the weights and with conditions in his favour, this smart Flat handicapper is the most likely winner.
He could well be worth having a saver on, as the selection Glynn has always been very highly regarded by Nicky Henderson, but is not the easiest horse to keep sound.
Through two years the now seven-year-old has only visited the racecourse on five occasions with his second to Ecco at Doncaster first time up showing he has a good deal of ability. He was very free on that occasion and the final quarter mile just showed him up.
He was then a big punt in the 2m5f Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, but after initially jumping superbly and reined back several times by Nico he simply didn’t get home and wasn’t persevered with from the home turn.
As the cliché goes that kindness could well be repaid here and off a pound lower mark of 133 he looks to be the one to take on the likely market leader with.
Saturday’s picks at Lingfield, Newbury and Kelso:
12:50 Lingfield – King Robert
13:15 Newbury – West Approach
14:05 Kelso – War Lord
14:30 Newbury – Glynn
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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