Architect picks out his three best bets for Saturday's ITV Racing including his play in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.
14:20 Kelso
The bet365 Handicap Hurdle looks very competitive, but I’m liking two against the field. The first one is BOLD LIGHT (best price 13/2).
Lucinda Russell’s charge has recorded two wins and four places from six starts under rules, and although he could only manage third last time out when stepped to three miles at Musselburgh, this drop in trip will suit him better.
He won his only previous start by seven lengths and is only 7lb higher than when he scored easily on his handicap debut on his penultimate start. He may get outpaced but he’s a strong finisher and should be bang in contention at the finish.
14:55 Kelso
An excellent turnout for this Grade 2 prize and the vote goes to the Ben Pauling-trained VANDERPOEL (best price 10/3). The six-year-old has posted some very decent figures in recording both of his wins under rules and has the potential to become a serious weapon for connections.
This is obviously a step up in class from last time, but he’s open to a lot more improvement and his trainer and jockey have been in red-hot form in recent weeks. The stable won this last year with Personal Ambition and are fancied to repeat the dose with this promising youngster. Castle Carrock is feared most.
15:30 Kelso
In the Morebattle Hurdle, I’m liking the credentials of TELLHERTHENAME (best price 9/2) (NAP) who warmed up for this with a fine fourth in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle on his reappearance and looks fairly well treated off a mark of 137 on handicap debut.
This horse thumped Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place by 14 lengths on his second start in this sphere and the latter is now rated 150+ having won a pair of Grade 2s the last two times, so his form has serious substance for a handicap like this.
He had previously pushed the 153-rated Jango Baie to within a nose on his hurdles debut at Ascot and the winner won a Grade 1 on his next start and was last seen finishing second in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
His record outside of Grade 1 company reads two wins and a nose second from three starts and this race seems to have been a bit of a plot, so with more to come, he could very well outclass today’s opponents. Either way, I make him a solid each-way contender and would be disappointed if he doesn’t go close.
