ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Double for Morebattle Hurdle Day at Kelso

Despite his advancing years, Olly Murphy’s BREWIN’UPASTORM (best price 7/1) remains the highest-rated horse in the field and must be considered a major player in Kelso’s opener, the Bet365 Handicap Hurdle. 

This is a rare outing in handicap company for the top-weight, and he can compete in this off a lenient-looking mark of 147. On the face of it, he is up against horses he is capable of beating when at his best and should be ideally suited to the conditions. 

He recorded a second win in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell last February, and that is a high-class piece of form, especially when you take into account the horses he beat, such as Sceau Royal, Knappers Hill, Proschema, and Goshen. 

The step-up in trip to three miles in the Liverpool Hurdle didn’t work, but he ran well to a point until his stamina gave out and looked badly in need of his seasonal debut at Aintree when he finished a distant second to West Balboa. 

He has since taken a step forward from that return to subsequently finish a creditable third in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham, and both the first (Bob Olinger) and second (Marie’s Rock) have advertised the form since. 

It was only a couple of seasons ago that he was rated as high as 158, and he is going to find this easier than the races he normally contests, so at a very fair price, the veteran is fancied to make his class count. He must have every chance. 

The warm favourite in the bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle, Jango Baie, will be extremely hard to beat, but his odds do seem too good to be true. Instead, I’ll take a chance on Ben Pauling’s PERSONAL AMBITION (best price 9/2), who could give Nicky Henderson’s charge the most to think about. 

He could only finish a distant third in the Beacons Winter Novices' Hurdle in his penultimate start, but conditions were bad that day, and he’s won either side of that effort since, including an easy eight and a half-lengths winner at Doncaster. The form isn’t strong, but either way, he was impressive, especially when asked to win his race. 

His hurdles debut win has worked out well, though, as he comfortably beat Jingko Blue, who subsequently won on his handicap debut off a mark of 124 when defying top-weight. His stable is in excellent condition, and this galloping course should play to his strengths. He is the value against the favourite and is Ben Pauling’s only runner and Kielan Woods only ride on the card. 

Extra ITV Racing Tips

With conditions set to be testing at Newbury, which will make it hard work for some of the runners, I like the look of last year’s runner-up, GEMIRANDE (best price 9/1) in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase. 

The eight-year-old has not been seen since April last year, but what does favour him is his good record when fresh, and he is only 2Ib higher than when he was a head second in this last year. If he’s ready to roll, he could be hard to stop. 

The likeable JETOILE (best price 9/1) is another to consider. The top-weight landed back-to-back handicaps at Chepstow prior to making a winning return in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree, which is a benchmark piece of form. 

He recently shaped well when fourth in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase behind Ga Law, despite the track not being to his advantage, and should be better suited to this course. 

He has form on testing ground, and his record over this trip of two miles and three furlongs, which is his optimum distance, reads 14111. The nine-year-old on this occasion, who will be partnered by Dylan Johnston, makes plenty of appeal based on the odds.

GUSTAVIAN (best price 12/1) didn’t get very far at Kempton last week when well supported before the off, but Anthony Honeyball’s charge remains well handicapped, will love conditions, and is reunited with Rex Dingle, who gets on well with him. 

The nine-year-old is 1Ib below his last winning mark and ran very well to finish sixth in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle in his penultimate start at Sandown. He has plenty going for him in this race and should make a bold effort, given a clear round. 

The bet365 Premier Chase is the other race I want to tackle from a betting point of view, and I am keen to take on the favourite Monbeg Genius, who is plenty short enough. He did run well when third in the Coral Gold Cup last time out but might have to settle for minor honours, and his main aim is the Grand National in April. 

Instead, I really like the chances of the consistent AYE RIGHT (best price 3/1), who is the first of two selections. The 11-year-old has been solid in defeat in all three starts this season and was very unlucky not to win on his reappearance at Chepstow. His recent second in the Veterans' Chase Series Final at Warwick was good, and the return to better ground this weekend is ideal. 

He has a good record at Kelso, reading 32112241252, and comes out very well at the weights on these terms. He remains a force at this level and will not go down without a fight when push comes to shove. It’s been well over two years since his last win, which came in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, but this is an excellent opportunity for him to resume winning ways. 

The highest-rated runner in the Bet365 Premier Chase, even after a couple of below-par efforts, is Donald McCain’s smart chaser, MINELLA DRAMA (best price 9/1). This will be his first start over three miles, but if the nine-year-old can prove his stamina, he must be considered a serious contender. 

His latest run over hurdles was probably used as a stepping stone towards this contest, and a mine break coupled with the fitting of a first-time tongue strap might have done him the world of good. His only previous visit here resulted in an easy win over two miles and five furlongs. 

The market has majorly underestimated his credentials. We cannot forget that he’s also made the frame in two Grade 1s in his career, and his third in the Marsh Chase at Aintree last April reads well, given what the winner, Pic D'Orhy, has done since. He is overpriced. 

DOES HE KNOW (best price 12/1) isn’t the most consistent of horses nowadays, but the nine-year-old ran well for a long time in the Denman Chase last time out on unfavourable ground, and the return to a handicap and better conditions should reignite the fire in his belly. 

The last time he ran in a handicap resulted in a victory at Cheltenham over slightly further off a mark of 152, and this will be his first run in handicap company since. Today’s mark of 149 is well within his compass, and a return to aggressive tactics is likely in order, which have often yielded his best performances. Four places widely available.