The pick of the Saturday prices....

Friday, 27th February 2026

The pick of the Saturday prices….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on SERIOUS CHALLENGE in the 2.55 at Kelso – up at 12s….

…. I’m on KOUKEO at 12s in the 3.45 at Newbury….

…. and I’m on KELCE at 8s in the 2.30 at Doncaster….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

With good money up for grabs in tomorrow’s Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (2.55)….

…. and an additional £100k bonus on offer to the winning horse if it can back up at Cheltenham….

…. it’s no surprise to see plenty in the field who might be lining up in the County Hurdle, the Martin Pipe or the Cheltenham Cup the week after next….

Fergus O’Brien’s SERIOUS CHALLENGE could be just that at the general 12s….

He was badly positioned in a slow run race at Aintree – probably over the wrong trip too – on seasonal debut….

…. before losing his action and getting pulled up in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November….

It’s well worth noting that he was well-fancied for that top-level handicap job….

…. and whilst he’s been put up 5lb for a win in a C3 last time at Haydock, I don’t think that rise puts the lid on him….

He smashed Bowensonfire in a novice hurdle at Ayr last season – that one’s rated 148 now….

…. and he had John Barbour behind at Southwell – that one’s risen 15lb up the handicap since….

I reckon there’s more to come from Serious Challenge off a mark of 132, he’s fresher than most, and I expect a big run….

In the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury (3.45) I’m backing KOUKEO at the 12s…

He surrendered his unbeaten record over fences last time at Musselburgh – though he still managed to progress again and post a career-best RPR in defeat….

To me it all seemed to happen just a little too quick for him when push came to shove….

…. and he made a couple of mistakes at his fences that just impinged on his momentum….

There was nothing wrong with how he finished off the race however and he gave the visual impression that tomorrow’s step up to intermediate trips will suit….

He won over hurdles at 2m5f and he’s a pretty solid candidate to improve again for the extra yardage over fences….

He gets weight from everything in the field off a mark of 123 and if he handles a step up in class and opponent….

…. circumstances that suggest they think a bit of him back at home….

…. then he’s an interesting runner at a fancy price….

I’m backing KELCE at the 8s in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster (2.30)….

His first go at a proper handicap was supposed to be in the Great Yorkshire Chase at this same track back in January….

…. but he was pulled out on account of the ground….

They must have had him something like right because he was sent to Musselburgh the following week where he won a C3 handicap with something in hand….

He’s up 7lb to a mark of 125 – a rise I believe is within his compass….

…. and he’s aimed at a big race on Town Moor once again – this time over a longer trip that I think will suit him even better….

Trainer Neil Mullholland has three horses engaged in the race and for my money Kelce is the pick of them – with Conor O’Farrell getting the leg up….

He’s three from four on the 8yo and rider and jockey have clearly developed something of a rapport….

Kelce is good at his fences and if he gets into a good rhythm he could jump them into the ground….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd