Friday, 21 February 2025

Newcastle & Kempton - Saturday 22nd February 2025

 I was at Southwell today (first visit) and will be making an even further trip north to Newcastle tomorrow for the first time. Hopefully, I can find some winners to help pay for the diesel!

Newcastle

14:10, Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase

O'Connell 11/2, 2pts win
Gaboriot 11/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

This is one of the most open and competitive renewals of the Eider for many years and it's 11/2 the field. I think that O'Connell has got to be backed as he ticks too many boxes. The horse is in red hot form and so is his trainer. This trip looks like it should be perfect and a decent jockey is claiming 3 pounds off his back. As much as I like his chances, I'll also be having an each-way bet on Gaboriot. This 9 year old won a 4 mile hunter chase at Cheltenham in March and hasn't been disgraced since, including when 3rd on unsuitably heavy ground at Haydock last time out. Given his stamina, this race has probably been on the cards since and I fancy him to be right there at the end of this marathon. 

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Kempton

15:00, Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle

Tripoli Flyer 3/1, 2pts win

I have been a big fan of this horse ever since he won a bumper impressively at Lingfield in January last year. He followed that up to finish a good 2nd at Aintree up in grade and has really made an impression since sent hurdling. He found bundles when asked for an effort last time out in the Scottish Supreme and I fancy him to take this. 

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15:35, Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase

Heltenham 8/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Dan Skelton's charge has his long overdue first run over 3 miles here and I think it will bring about improvement. He's now down to his highest winning mark and this time last year he finished 2nd at this track over 4 furlongs shorter. 

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