Three picks for Saturday....

Friday, 20th March 2026

Three picks for Saturday….

In ATC today….

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

I’m on JERICOACOARA in the 1.30 at Kelso – up at 14s….

…. I’m on SLEEPING SATELLITE at 11s in the 2.40 at Kelso….

…. and I’m on KNAPPERS HILL at 5s in the 2.25 at Newbury….

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 BetWright Handicap Hurdle at Kelso (1.30) is the best betting heat of the day tomorrow….

…. and the pick of them at the prices is Micky Hammond’s JERICOACOARA at the general 14s….

The 7yo’s taken his time to settle since arriving on these shores from France in November 2024….

He hasn’t yet managed to log a win and his five runs for his new yard up to November were pretty uninspiring….

The only upside to that underwhelming sequence is that he’s dropped almost a stone down the rankings from an opening mark of 122 to tomorrow’s mark of 109….

Of course, that one factor on its own is nowhere near sufficient to justify a bet….

…. but taken in tandem with the last time out performance at Ayr in February, I reckon there’s grounds for enthusiasm….

That was the horse’s first go for 100 days….

…. and it was his best go since arriving here – certainly in my book….

He got beaten – finishing 3/11 and more than 3l in arrears at the post….

…. but I think he got a little bit tired in the closing stages….

…. he was entitled to need it a bit – and there’s every chance he could improve on it tomorrow from a competitive mark….

He’s an interesting runner up at a tasty old price….

I reckon SLEEPING SATELLITE is a fair bet at the 11s In the BetWright Novices' Handicap Chase at Kelso (2.40)….

Trainer Fergal O’Brien does pretty well with runners he sends up to the Scottish track….

…. his 31 qualifiers over the last five years produced 10 wins at 32% and a level stakes profit of 23 points for punters….

…. and it’s surely noteworthy that this is the one horse he puts in the box for the trip North tomorrow….

There’s no doubt the 8yo likes a bit of decent ground, and he wasn’t wasted in deeper conditions over the winter….

…. taking a break from the track in December, January and the first three weeks of February….

He returned at Newcastle over the minimum trip – having progressed for further before his break….

…. and whilst he didn’t set the track on fire that day, he probably needed it….

…. and with that run under his belt, he’s primed to produce a big effort here tomorrow returned to the longer trip….

Four-time track winner Heltenham takes a fair chunk out of the book in the BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase at Newbury (2.25)….

I get it but on a mark of 140 he couldn’t be described as well-handicapped….

…. and nor could Twinjets – hence Freddie Gingell’s presence (claiming 5lb) in the saddle….

I’m going to roll the dice with KNAPPERS HILL at the general 5s – Harry Cobden’s choice of ride….

He’ll appreciate better ground than he got last time at Warwick….

…. and whilst he’s a 10yo now – and not getting any younger – he’s had time off the track, he’s still very lightly raced, and he remains potentially unexposed over fences….

Can he hit the same level now over fences that he hit over hurdles in his younger days? The jury’s still out – but probably not….

That said he is down to a mark of 142 over the bigger obstacles and you’d hope he’s close to a handicap mark he can do the business off….

Tomorrow is a good opportunity in a race where several opponents have a variety of questions to answer….

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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….

Against the Crowd