Jake - Par and Paddock
Last week: how we did.
Best Bets (2)
Chancellor — SBK 9/5 (Lingfield 14:00) - 2nd
Jax Junior — SBK 8/11 (Kempton 14:25) - Won
Klub De Reve — SBK 6/1 (Kempton 15:00) - Won
The Doyen Chief — SBK 8/1 (Kempton 15:35) - Placed
Riskintheground — SBK 30/1 (Kempton 16:05) - 9th
Prices from Betfair Sportsbook at time of writing (Gamble Responsibly 18+)
Friday delivers a feast of National Hunt and all-weather action across five tracks, from Doncaster’s quality card to Irish Grade racing at Navan, with competitive fare at Kelso, Newbury, and Lingfield’s Listed sprint completing the menu.
DONCASTER
13:25 - Virgin Bet Mares Novices Hurdle (Listed)
The Listed mares’ contest over an extended three miles looks a fascinating affair. BARRA RUA (10/3) brings solid Irish form for Emmet Mullins and rates the one to beat on an official rating of 119, though she was fourth last time. COOLANNA (7/2) won impressively at Wincanton last time out and looks progressive for Kim Bailey, while PARK PRINCESS (8/1) is rated 126 - the highest in the field - and represents the in-form Honeyball yard with Sam Twiston-Davies booked.
13:55 - Virgin Bet Handicap Chase
MIGHTY BANDIT (7/4) looks a banker for the Greatrex stable. Rated 142 and a course winner, he’s won his last two, including at this track 35 days ago. QUEENS GAMBLE (16/5) is another course winner rated 132 who won just 14 days ago and looks the main danger.
14:30 - Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
This competitive 3m2f handicap chase is wide open. KINGS THRESHOLD (6/1) won at Newbury 61 days ago and is rated 137, making him a leading contender for Emma Lavelle. DARTMOOR PIRATE (5/1) won at Doncaster last time and loves the track, while KELCE (15/2) arrives in good form having won at Musselburgh just 28 days ago.
16:15 - Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle
BIG TICKET (3/1) looks the standout here. Sam Twiston-Davies rides for his father Nigel, and this Soldier Of Fortune gelding won last time at Lingfield just 23 days ago. Rated 126, he’s progressive and looks well-handicapped.
KELSO
13:40 - bet365 Premier Chase (Listed)
PROTEKTORAT (1/10) is a class act rated 165 and won at Windsor 41 days ago. The Dan Skelton-trained chaser with Harry Skelton aboard looks a certainty in this small field, though MINELLA DRAMA (12/1) could provide each-way value at a big price.
14:15 - bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle (Grade 2)
LE BEAU MADRIK (5/2) has won his last two and tops the ratings at 125 for the Skelton team. STARMOUNT (10/3) won at Wetherby last time and is rated 134, making him a serious player.
14:55 - bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (Handicap)
This ultra-competitive 17-runner handicap hurdle is a minefield. HAMLETS NIGHT (9/2) won at Kempton just 10 days ago and is rated 134, making him the form pick. CRACKING RHAPSODY (13/2) is a course and distance winner rated 136, while HOT FUSS (7/1) won at Windsor 43 days ago and looks progressive.
15:30 - bet365 Handicap Hurdle
GOOD TO BE ALIVE (11/4) is the form horse, having won at Plumpton 33 days ago for Olly Murphy. FLORIDA DREAMS (3/1) ran well at Musselburgh last time and represents the in-form Brian Hughes/Nicky Richards combination.
LINGFIELD
14:35 - BetMGM Spring Cup Stakes (Listed, 7f)
The all-weather Listed sprint features a quality field. RICHIES ROCKET (13/8) is the class act for Ralph Beckett, rated 107 and a course winner who’s won three of his last four. TEN CARAT HARRY (10/3) represents Jamie Osborne and is rated 103, making him a serious threat, while BELLA LYRA (5/1) for Richard Hughes is rated 100 and won at this track 35 days ago, giving her strong claims.
NAVAN
16:08 - BOYLE Sports Webster Cup (Grade 2, 2m4.5f)
The feature race sees Gordon Elliott saddle two leading contenders. FOUND A FIFTY (8/11) is the stable’s number one, rated 148 and looks the one to beat despite the testing heavy ground. BETTER DAYS AHEAD (6/1) is Elliott’s second string rated 140, while Willie Mullins counters with SAINT SAM (11/4), rated 145 and a serious player in this Grade 2 contest.
NEWBURY
15:45 - Greatwood Gold Cup (Class 1, 2m4f)
The day’s most valuable prize sees VINCENZO (5/2) rated 145 for Evan Williams looking the form pick. ISSAM (8/1) is an interesting contender for Charlie Longsdon rated 138, while TWINJETS (4/1) represents Paul Nicholls and is rated 142, making this a competitive Class 1 affair where any of the top three could prevail.
FRIDAY’S TIPS
2 BEST BETS - Minimum 8/11
FOUND A FIFTY (8/11) - 16:08 Navan (Grade 2 Webster Cup). Gordon Elliott’s top-rated runner at 148 dominates this field and should handle the heavy ground with his proven Grade 2 pedigree.
VINCENZO (5/2) - 15:45 Newbury (Greatwood Gold Cup). Evan Williams’ 145-rated chaser is the form pick in this Class 1 contest and looks well-handicapped to strike in the day’s most valuable prize.
3 EACH-WAY BETS - 5/1 or bigger
DARTMOOR PIRATE (5/1) EW - 14:30 Doncaster. Won at Doncaster last time and loves the track; excellent each-way value in a competitive handicap chase.
KELCE (15/2) EW - 14:30 Doncaster. Arrived in excellent form with a Musselburgh win just 28 days ago and represents strong value in the same race as Dartmoor Pirate.
ISSAM (8/1) EW - 15:45 Newbury (Greatwood Gold Cup). Charlie Longsdon’s 138-rated runner offers genuine each-way value in a competitive Class 1 affair where he can place at minimum.
2 LONGSHOT EACH-WAY - 12/1 or bigger
MINELLA DRAMA (12/1) - 13:40 Kelso. Big-priced outsider in the Listed Premier Chase who could provide a shock result at substantial odds.
SHAHIK (50/1) EW - 14:35 Lingfield (BetMGM Spring Cup). Massive outsider in the all-weather Listed sprint; worth a small each-way stake for the potential windfall on the place odds.