Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
14:05 Kelso
The unexposed Famous Bridge looks a worthy favourite for this race but preference instead goes to the Dan Skelton trained WILDE ABOUT OSCAR (best priced at 5/1). The seven-year-old runs off top weight in this handicap and is now starting to look well handicapped off a mark of 141. He beat Mint Condition at Uttoxeter last year off a mark of 146 before disappointing at the Aintree festival.
Wilde About Oscar has finished well beaten on his three starts this season but this is his second run since a wind operation and connections now fit him with first-time cheekpieces. He is well handicapped off a mark of 141 and looks worth taking a chance on in this race with four places on offer.
14:20 Doncaster
The Dan Skelton trained GET A TONIC (best priced at 11/8) is top-rated in this Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle by 9lbs and gets to face her rivals off level weights so she should prove hard to beat. The six-year-old has form figures of 21132 this season with her previous two defeats coming in listed races behind Cheltenham festival contenders Hillcrest and Marie’s Rock.
Get A Tonic had previously won twice over hurdles at Leicester and Uttoxeter before finishing 3rd at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. She finished ahead of the 147 rated Indefatigable last time at Warwick when 2nd behind Marie’s Rock and a repeat of that effort should see her win this listed race.
14:40 Kelso
The Lucinda Russell trained BIG RIVER (best priced at 8/1) has a few pounds to find on ratings in this listed race but his course form at Kelso should see him outrun his odds. The twelve-year-old has form figures of 112111B1211 at the course including an impressive victory in the Chairman’s Cup last time over this course and distance by 6 lengths.
Espoir De Romay has question marks on his return from a disappointing reappearance run, Itchy Feet has question marks about his jumping and Windsor Avenue has to prove that he can follow up his return to form from the SkyBet Chase so Big River looks the solid option and I am willing to take a chance on him causing a bit of an upset.
