I will be in Berkshire on Saturday and have a selection for all 7 races to end February (which I must say I'm glad to see the back of!).
13:35, Simple Boost Tokens Now At BetVictor Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Treasure Planet 5/1, 2pts win
Paul Nicholls' youngster (a recruit from the flat) ran well to finish 4th behind a couple with Cheltenham aspirations at Wetherby in the Autumn before dismissing his rivals with disdain on his next start. It all went wrong at Aintree in December but he was keen that day and the soft ground probably wouldn't have suited. He's back on a sounder surface here and the experience from last time won't be lost on the son of Footstepsinthesand.
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14:10, BetVictor Favourite Things, Bet Boosts Handicap Hurdle
Melon 8/1, 2pts win
Doctor Blue looked a young horse to follow last year but it's all gone a bit wrong of late and he doesn't rate a punting prospect yet. Brentford Hope has had another good season and should go close for all the ground may be lively enough for him. One at odds against the front market is Melon who will be ridden for the first time by Jonjo O'Neill since they finished 3rd at Cheltenham in the Autumn. The 5 year old can be forgiven a poor run at Windsor last time out as not all horses take to the track and he's still very lightly raced. He too may be better on a softer surface but it was decent ground when he ran well at Cheltenham and is off the same mark here in what will be a slightly less competitive affair.
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14:40, BetVictor Now Non Runner No Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
Noble Park 5/1, 2pts win
Rodney has been progressive this season and is respected in search of the 4 timer but he's now 22 pounds higher than the first of those wins and this looks like a fair race. Mon Champion is respected now that he's got his act together and could improve for the step up in trip for all the ex-French performer would have preferred a softer surface. Preference instead is for Nicky Henderson's Noble Park. The 7 year old bolted up at Lingfield in November but it hasn't been plain sailing since. He disappointed at Kempton on Boxing Day but never really travelled that day and put in a better performance when 3rd at Doncaster last time out on his first go at 3 miles. He was put in his place by a decent horse that day and trying to win the race cost him 2nd place. He's of interest now back down in trip and returned to a softer surface. He still looks like he'll be competitive off this mark and returned to optimum conditions he should run well.
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15:15, 1 Up, Job Done At BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase
Our Power 7/1, 2pts win
Another veteran's race that looks wide open with plenty holding chances. Brave Kingdom is of serious interest here and could build on his 2nd place at Taunton last time out while Eldorado Allen continues to run well in these races and is back at a track he runs well at. Preference though is for Sam Thomas's Our Power. Last Spring he finished 3rd in both the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton and the Scottish National at Ayr of a higher mark. It's not been great this season so far but he's always looked like a horse who improves for better ground and a bit of Spring air. He's very well treated on old form now and looks worth chancing here.
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15:45, BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Vincenzo 11/4, 2pts win
A par renewal of the Greatwood Gold Cup with a competitive look to it. Paul Nicholls always likes to have a runner in this and Twinjets looks to go well in search of another course win but has to lug 12 stone around here. Issam won well at Kempton and is improving but the ground may be quick enough for him and he tends to get a bit outpaced in his races. Heltenham won this 2 years ago and is again looking well weighted but needs a return to form here. It could be that Vincenzo gains revenge for being downed by Booster Bob 12 months ago. He's higher in the weights 12 months on but it's a slightly more winnable renewal now and he's in the form of his life.
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16:23, Simple Racing Specials Daily At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle
Just A Rose 12/1, 2pts win
Huffin And A Puffin ran a remarkable race off such a long break to win at Doncaster last time out and could progress on to better things but the bounce factor is a worry. Lucky Bere is in great form but the ground here could be lively enough for him and although Tour Ovalie has a great course record, this may not set up quite as well for her. Instead at the prices it could be that Just A Rose represents value for Paul Nicholls. The mare looked top class when bolting up on debut last season before finding the Dawn Run all too much. She ran OK on seasonal debut but put in no sort of run in the Lanzarote last time out. The fact connections pitched her in that suggests she's still well thought off and this is much easier. It's likely that she'll appreciate the sounder surface and if she's back to her best she is very capable of taking this.
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16:58, OLBG Mares' Open NH Flat Race
Princess Day 11/4, 2pts win
Malina Road deserves to be favourite after winning at Listed level at Market Rasen but Princess Day won very nicely on rules debut at Chepstow in December despite being mightily green up the home straight. She's entitled to build on that and if she does, she could take plenty of beating in this.
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