Three picks for Saturday....

Friday, 9th January 2026

Three picks for Saturday….

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In ATC today….

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

I’m on JUST A ROSE in the 3.17 at Kempton – up at 25s to 20s….

…. I’m on VAL DANCER at 12s in the 2.55 at Warwick….

…. and I’m on WESTERN DIEGO at 6s & 11/2 in the 1.40 at Fairyhouse….

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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Kempton and Warwick must pass inspections at 2pm this afternoon….

Conditions have improved on each tracks….

…. but an element of doubt still hangs over both fixtures….

…. and snow remains a possibility….

We shall see….

I will proceed as if the racing is on at both tracks – until I hear otherwise….

----- First up – the Lanzarote at Kempton (3.17)….

…. where JUST A ROSE is potentially well-treated on her mark of 121….

…. and is well worth a punt at prices ranging from 25s to 20s….

She wasn’t cheap to buy….

…. trainer Paul Nicholls reckoned her good enough to run in the G2 for mares at the Cheltenham Festival – on just her second run….

…. and – ahead of that assignment Nicholls had compared the mare to Jubilee Alpha – saying this….

“I think she is quite smart, and I don’t think there is a lot between [them].”

Jubilee Alpha ran off 140 at Sandown last week….

…. and – in that context – a mark of 121 gives Just A Rose a fair bit of slack to work with….

She ran a good race for a long way on return at Taunton last month….

…. and she could well build on that….

----- Over at Warwick – in the Classic Chase (2.55)….

Snow, sleet, and rain fell on the track at Warwick last night….

…. 28mm of the stuff – and the going description has been changed to soft….

That will be good enough for VAL DANCER – who I want to back at the general 12s….

There are some big dogs at the top of the market….

…. Myretown, Mr Vango, L’Homme Presse & Resplendent Grey….

…. but I like Val Dancer….

He won a Welsh Grand National….

…. ran well in a Grand National Trial at Haydock….

…. and last time out – over the big fences at Aintree – he was third in a Becher….

He’s at home in these big staying chases….

…. he’s come out of Aintree well….

…. and – according to Mel Rowley – they’ve got him in good order at home….

I think this extreme trip will see him at his best….

…. conditions have moved the right way for him….

…. and if he runs his race then he’s entitled to be in the mix off his mark of 130….

----- Finally, across to Fairyhouse for the Dan Moore (1.40)….

Nothing down the order in the betting appeals to me in this one….

There’s quite a few in with form that doesn’t exactly catch the eye….

…. and taking a pragmatic view – I wouldn’t put anybody off backing WESTERN DIEGO at the 6s & 11/2….

He ran an encouraging race on his return over course and distance at the end of November….

…. and comes into this race fresher than most….

…. and with more to offer off a mark of 130….

Connections thought he was well-handicapped on 134 ahead of his appearance in the Scotty Brand at Ayr in April….

…. he was sent off favourite for that – but disappointed on the day….

There’s more to come – and I’d think he’s been trained for this….

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Now, just to recap….

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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….

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