Taking aim at Kelso, Newbury & Doncaster....

Friday, 28th February 2025

Taking aim at Kelso, Newbury & Doncaster….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the big weekend handicaps….

The Morebattle at Kelso is the headline event tomorrow….

…. the off time is 3.30….

…. and my pick of the prices is SLUGGER at 18s & 16s….

I’m also on SAINT SEGAL in the 3.45 at Newbury – he’s up at 9s ….

…. and I’m on WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT at 11/2 in the 3.15 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….

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SLUGGER has already improved 18lbs since switching from Iain Jardine to Harry Derham ….

…. and racing much more positively….

He steps into the big league for the first time in tomorrow’s Morebattle at Kelso (3.30)….

…. and will need to improve again….

I’m certain he will improve and rate higher still….

…. at some point….

I just can’t be certain he will find that performance tomorrow….

…. because nobody knows – for sure – how he will respond when confronted with a competitive big-field challenge – at the higher level – for the first time….

What I can tell you for sure is that he very much deserves his chance tomorrow….

…. off the back of three consecutive wins….

He wasn’t up against world-beaters last time at Musselburgh….

…. but he won cosily enough at the post….

…. and if he finds more tomorrow then he’s entitled to go pretty close….

Paul O’Brien is back in the saddle – replacing 3lb claimer Alice Stevens….

…. and I reckon the general 18s & 16s is a nice price about one with a ‘live’ chance in a competitive field….

SAINT SEGAL at the general 9s is the pick in tomorrow’s Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury (3.45)….

Last time out in the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh he conceded 6lb to a sweetly-treated and well-supported winner….

…. finishing 2.75 lengths in arrears….

But he did go really well for a long way….

…. all the better when you consider he was pestered early for the lead and maybe did a little too much….

…. and he rallied well late on….

It was a game effort all told – and he did well to get as close as he did to a winner who still looks very well-treated indeed after a 7lb rise to 138….

Saint Segal’s got a win over tomorrow’s course and distance under his belt – never a bad thing at Newbury….

…. and I see him running well….

The Grimthorpe up at Doncaster (3.15) is a bit of a conundrum – at least that’s how I saw it….

Nothing leapt out at the bigger prices….

…. and the one I like most in the order is WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT at the 11/2….

He won by a mile at the end of January over the 3-miles at tomorrow’s venue – his first run back for Nigel Twiston-Daves following a spell with Christian Williams….

…. and it was the performance of a horse in a good place….

…. perfect preparation for a shot at a bigger pot on the same track tomorrow afternoon….

He’s back up to 136 in the rankings after an 8lb rise for that last win….

…. but – he looks to be thriving right now – and could still be in a good place….

He steps up in trip – which I see as a positive….

…. he finished off nicely last time – and the extra quarter-mile could well improve him…. 

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd