Newbury
1.20 – Commodore (Win)
I’m going to take a chance on Commodore here. It’s fair to say the Venetia Williams’ stable has been quiet in recent weeks, but when they have been winning, it’s been with horses returning from long absences. The 12-year-old gelding fits that bill here, as he’s not been seen since finishing fifth at this track last March. If you go back through his form, the time to catch him is when he’s fresh. He bolted up at Cheltenham in December 2021 off a 5lb higher mark when coming back from a 309-day break. I think if Venetia has got him fit and ready to race, he could make mincemeat of this opposition.
1.50 – Gemirande (Each Way)
This is one of the hardest races of the weekend to solve, but I’m going to stick with Venetia again and side with Gemirande each way. The son of Al Namix progressed well in handicaps last season and was only touched in this race last year by a neck off a 2lb lower mark. We’ve not seen him since April, but as previously mentioned, Venetia Williams has a great habit of getting her horses ready to strike after long layoffs. If Charlie Deutsch can get him into a good rhythm, he’ll definitely have a good chance of being around the places.
Kelso
1.42 – The Kalooki Kid (Each Way)
The Kalooki Kid didn’t shape too badly when finishing fourth in a Listed race over 2m at Doncaster in January. That form has subsequently been boosted by Lump Sum and Fiercely Proud finishing first and second in a Grade 2 contest at Kempton last weekend. The six-year-old gelding might have found that trip to be on the sharp side that day and stepping up in trip here might suit as he won over this distance at Musselburgh earlier in the season. He now makes his handicap debut off a mark of 124, which could be a gift. I think he’ll go very close.
2.17 – Personal Ambition (Each Way)
Grade 1 winner Jango Baie is likely to be the favourite here, but I’m keen to take him on, especially with the fact he has to give away 5lbs to all his rivals, and Nicky Henderson’s team has been badly out of form. The one that stands out to me is Personal Ambition for Ben Pauling. He was quietly fancied when winning on his hurdles debut at Warwick in November, but then went on to disappoint in Grade 2 company at Sandown. However, last time out, he bounced back to form with an easy victory at Doncaster. He will have to improve again, now stepping back up in class, but with the stable in flying form, I can see no reason to why he can’t get involved in the finish.
2.50 – Benson (Each Way)
Cases can be made for most in Kelso’s feature race of the day, but I am going to side with last year’s winner, Benson. The son of Beat Hollow has been in good form this season for Sandy Thompson, which included a comfortable success at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day. He is 5 lbs heavier than when he landed this prize 12 months ago, but if they do go at a strong pace, that will suit him as he’s a stronger stayer at the trip and he has stamina for further. It’s interesting to see that connections haven’t decided to book a conditional jockey to take off weight and have gone to Ryan Mania, who’s won on two of his last three starts on him. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him defend his crown.
3.25 – Aye Right (Win)
Aye Right has been knocking on the door this season. The last time we saw him, he ran a blinder to finish second in the rearranged Veterans Final at Warwick. Even though he might be vulnerable to some younger legs, he’s well treated at the weights with the conditions of the race. He was a horse in the past that liked to be ridden handy and make the running. If Craig Nichol decides to go forward, he might just be able to outbattle all his rivals and get that deserved victory.
Doncaster
2.35 – Tommy’s Oscar (Win)
Tommy’s Oscar has been one of my favourite horses over the last few years. He’s been a great servant to Ann Hamilton, who has been able to mix it over hurdles and fences. The last time we saw him, he wasn’t disgraced when finishing fourth at Musselburgh over 2m4f. Here he drops back down in distance to 2m, which should be more up his street. Moreover, he tends to be at his best when getting a strong pace to aim at, and he could get that with the likes of Homme Public and Malystic likely to make the running. I can see him adding another win to his CV.
3.10 – Gaye Legacy (Each Way)
There isn’t much quality on offer here, but Gaye Legacy has been improving well this season. The daughter of Flemensfirth has done little wrong on her last few starts, and she was a gutsy winner when scoring at Newbury in January. Unlike some of the others, she’ll stay all day, and she won’t mind a bit of ease in conditions. If this does become a war of attrition, I can see her battling on well up the long Doncaster straight and her being there or thereabouts.
3.40 – Undersupervision (Each Way)
This looks like it’s been the plan all season for Undersupervision. He has a great record in this race, winning it in 2022 and finishing an agonising neck second last year. We’ve not seen the eight-year-old gelding since he was pulled up in the Becher Chase, but that wouldn’t have been his cup of tea. Though he’s 2lb higher this time around, it’s hard to see him not being competitive.
Bet Of The Day: 1.20 Newbury – Commodore (WIN)
