Selections for Saturday 5th March 2022
1.32 Kelso
1 point each way Sholokjack (5/1 Skybet, 4 places)
Hopefully lighting strikes twice as Dan Skelton won this race last year with My Drogo. This is a hot race with some unbeaten records on the line but I think there is improvement likely in Sholokjack. He won his maiden point over 3m and he is 2 from 2 on the track winning at Leicester (1m7f, soft) and Wetherby (2m, good to soft). This is a big step up in grade but he could potentially be very talented
2.05 Kelso
1 point each way Wilde About Oscar (9/2 Skybet, 5 places)
Wilde About Oscar wears the first time cheekpieces today and I hope the have the desired effect. Although disappointing on his last few runs it is hard to deny he is now becoming interestingly well handicapped. He is now 5lbs lower than his last winning mark and the 7 ½ lengths beating he gave to Glancing Queen off 5lbs higher last February looks solid form. This is his second run after a wind operation which should have him spot on here
3.15 Kelso
1 point each way Metier (10/3 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
We won on Metier last time out at Lingfield where he bet Gowel Road by 1 ¼ lengths in a valuable handicap. This is a deeper race and he has been raised 7lbs but he is a grade 1 winner and loves testing conditions. The concern is that it may not be heavy enough to see him at his very best but he is a talented horse and this is his time of year. Harry Fry confirmed he has entries at Cheltenham but the focus is very much this race which would give you confidence he is tuned to the minute for today.
2.20 Doncaster
1 point each way Miss Fairfax (7/2 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Betfred, 3 places)
We take on Get A Tonic here with reservations about her staying this 3m ½f trip. Miss Fairfax looks a more solid option after winning last time out by 20lbs on soft ground over 3m 1f at Catterick and before that she won at Exeter beating Eureka Creek over 2m7f on good to soft by 4 ½ lengths. Eureka Creek franked that form by winning next time out beating Good Look Charm by 8 ½ lengths who herself won next time out beating Jaunty Freyja at Exeter. She has solid form and will handle the conditions and distance
3.30 Doncaster
1 point each way Storm Control ( 4/1 Skybet/ Betfred/ Boylesports, 3 places)
Storm Control was unfortunate to bump into an improved Windsor Avenue last time out (lucky for us 40/1…) and both were 16 lengths clear of Cap Du Nord who won at Kempton last weekend. Daire McConville claims 10lbs and seems to get on well with him having previously won at Newbury. Hopefully he will lead from the front and see it out. I had a slight concern he stuck his head up in the air after the last at Doncaster which might suggest he was struggling to catch his breath. Saying that he still ran a massive race.
1.15 Newbury
1 point win Kauto Riko (11/4 Willliam Hill)
Kauto Riko really caught the eye last time at Cheltenham, beaten just over 11 lengths by Chantry House in a Grade 2. His form last December when second to Two For Gold has been significantly boosted by Two For Gold beating Dashel Drasher and finishing second to Fakir D’oudairies in a Grade 1 two weeks ago. This is a significant drop in class and even though a veteran he is unexposed over this 3m trip after just three attempts. Off a mark of 139 in a Veterans handicap he should go close.
1.50 Newbury
1 point each way Tamaroc Du Mathan ( 5/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
Paul Nicholls loves this race and has won nine out of the seventeen runnings of this handicap. He has some good novice chase form having won twice, one a Grade 2 at Kempton and also finishing second the Shiskin at Kempton. Now on a mark of 142 he looks well treated and this looks like it has been the target for the season. I would have been a lot more confident if the ground was good but he has form on soft. If it was to turn worse than soft I would be worried
1 point each way Farinet (6/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
Venetia Williams has had an outstanding year so far and Farinet is interesting stepping back down in trip here. Last time out at Sandown he was disappointing over 3m but was impressive winning twice at Sandown over today’s trip on soft ground. Unlike our initial selection this lad won’t mind any additional rain and the inform Charlie Deutsch does the steering.
**Date & Time of next Selections
Friday 11th March at 9pm..
Check ITV racing schedule at https://www.itv.com/racing/articles/schedule-next-live-racing-on-itv