Selections for Saturday 4th of March 2023
1.50 Kelso
1 point each way Teddy Blue (15/2 Bet365, 5 places or else 11/2 Skybet, 6 places)
Teddy Blue was on my shortlist for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury when he finished third, 12 lengths behind Aucunrisque and Filey Bay. That was over 2 miles on good ground and he has been dropped a further 3 lbs by the handicapper. Caoilin Quinn keeps the ride and his 5lbs claim is another plus for his chances. The good to soft ground looks perfect and he should run a big race and I would be disappointed if he cannot at least be competitive off this mark of 130.
1 point each way Deere Mark (15/2 Skybet, 6 places or else 8/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Betfred, 5 places)
Deere Mark won his Bumper on good ground at Hereford last March. He won a Novice Hurdle at Hereford on soft ground before winning on Handicap Debut at Kempton again on soft ground over 2 miles. Trainer Sam Thomas is sure the better ground will bring about improvement and this lightly raced six year old could step forward again as he will need to to win here. He runs here off a lovely racing weight of 10 – 10 and is interesting.
2.25 Kelso
1 point each way Nemean Lion (7/2 Bet365/ William Hill/ Betfred, 4 places)
Like Kittys Light last week he would be a 2pts EW if nearer to 5/1. His third behind Tahmuras in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle is the strongest form on show. He was impressive at Hereford on good to soft ground over 2 miles so today’s conditions should be ideal and the extra 2 furlongs shouldn’t be a problem. Feronily is interesting and has ran well in defeat behind the likes of A Dream To Share and Ile Atlantique in Bumpers but this is a fair ask on his hurdling debut against proven Grade One Hurdlers. Nemean Lion looks a rock solid each way bet.
3.00 Kelso
1 point each way Nells Son (13/2 William Hill, 4 places or else 6/1 Skybet, 4 places)
Nells Son is 2 – 2 here at Kelso and is returning after a wind surgery. He won a Grade 2 at this meeting last year getting the better of the Alan King trained North Lodge. He can get his season back on track after failing to take to the larger obstacles earlier in the season. His last run was at Cheltenham over 2m 1f when finishing 6 of 15 runners, 7 lengths behind the winner Hacker Des Places. The extra 4 furlongs here should suit and I can see him run well at a track that he clearly likes.
2.10 Newbury
1 point each way Bold Plan (13/2 William Hill, 4 places or else 6/1 Generally, 4 places)
Bold Plan showed enough at Uttoxeter last time to suggest that a bounce back to form is very much on the cards. He finds himself just 3lbs higher in the weights than when winning this race last year. That was on soft ground and he backed that up by winning at Cheltenham on good ground so today’s conditions should be fine. Spring seems to be his favourite time of the year and it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back to form today. At 13/2 he is worth an each way bet.
2.45 Newbury
1 point each way The Big Bite (18/1 Paddy power/ William Hill/ Betfair/ Coral/ Betfred/ Ladbrokes, 3 places)
This is perhaps the most speculative bet of the day but The Big Bite looks well handicapped on old form and is worth an each way bet with most firms paying 3 places. He finished third in this race off 11 lbs higher two years ago. He has excuses for his last two runs as he didn’t stay the 3 miles at Newcastle and did not handle the soft ground last time at Chepstow. His 1 length second to Funambule Sivola off a mark of 144 at Doncaster last January would give him a chance here The application of first time cheek pieces is a big plus here and he has reportedly worked well in them of late. It is a competitive little field but I feel he is the value angle.
**Date & Time of next Selections Sunday Night 5th of March at 9pm