Friday, 20th February 2026
In ATC today….
…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s biggest betting heats….
I’m on LOOKAWAY in the 3.35 at Kempton – up at 10s….
…. I’m on RED DELTA at 14s in the 2.43 at Newcastle….
…. and I’m on GRENADIER JED at 6s in the 1.10 at Kempton….
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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The Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton (3.35) is the feature handicap of the day….
…. and I’m backing Neil King’s LOOKAWAY at the general 10s….
The winning distance probably flattered him a little last time when he won at tomorrow’s track over the extended 2m4f trip….
…. his main challenger fell at the second last and he only had to stand up from there….
…. but it was his first go at the longer trip….
…. he was pushed along at points – suggesting he’d be more within his comfort zone over further still….
…. and he jumped the last and stayed on like the step up to 3-miles tomorrow will suit him down to the ground….
The horse that finished third behind him that afternoon has been out and won since….
…. and the form of his race at Newbury the time before has worked out pretty well too – with the two that beat him home both winning since….
They’re up 13lb and 9lb in the handicap respectively whilst Lookaway is only 4lb higher for his latest win and he looks well-treated on his mark of 139….
He’s a 9yo now – but not a typical 9yo having run just four times over fences after missing the whole of last season….
…. and it’s well within the bounds of possibility that his best day over fences is still ahead of him….
He’s fit, he’s fresher than most, and – with no Festival entry – tomorrow is likely the day he’s been targeted at for a while….
My ante-post picks for the Grand National….
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The ground’s been drying out up at Newcastle for tomorrow’s Eider (2.43)….
…. and – whilst it wouldn’t be fast underfoot – it won’t be ideal conditions for a few of the participants either….
Mr Vango – for example – is a big horse and he’s been wearing special boots because of an abscess on his foot….
…. I think he’d like more cushion in the surface….
…. and I suspect Val Dancer’s connections would have liked a little rain this week too….
I’m going to have a swing of the bat and back Fiona Needham’s RED DELTA at the general 14s….
He did nothing but stay on like an absolute trooper over the extended 3m3f trip at Market Rasen last time….
…. making up a tonne of ground on a runaway leader in the straight and then striding away….
He looks tailormade for the extra yardage tomorrow and could easily overcome his 8lb rise in the weights….
It’s not like he’s an old war dog with 200,000 miles on the clock….
…. he’s only raced seven times over fences and there could be more to come yet over marathon trips….
He doesn’t mind a bit of better ground either and he’s an interesting contender up at a juicy price this morning….
Pick up my Grand National Winning Profile….
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In the Ladbrokes “New Horse Racing Bet Builder” Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (1.10)….
…. I’m backing GRENADIER JED at the general 6s….
Back in November he was put up 10lb for beating Keep Running and Brave Knight at Fontwell….
…. and that pair stood the form up with subsequent wins – going up 5lb and 12lb in the handicap respectively….
The time after he was stepped up to better money at Plumpton but fell – having been sent off favourite….
He was put up another 3lb ahead of his Chepstow appearance last time out and couldn’t quite overcome valiant veteran West To The Bridge on the day…
…. but that pair did pull well clear of the rest and Robert Walford’s 6yo gives the impression that he’s still progressing….
He likes a right-handed track, and he goes a little bit further than he’s gone before tomorrow – which I think will be in his favour….
He’s been running in lesser races off bigger weights. Tomorrow he’s in a better race under a lesser burden – getting weight all round – and if he progresses again he’s got every chance of figuring….
If you’re betting the Grand National in-play….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 3.35 @ Kempton….
e/w terms = It’s 4 places generally…. In the 2.43 @ Newcastle….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 4 places. It’s 3 places generally…. In the 1.10 @ Kempton….
e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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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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