Kelso 2.55 – Skelton’s Scottish raid to end in glory
Dan Skelton continues to fly along to the Trainers Championship this year and I think the gap to the rest can only get bigger this weekend.
He has three great chances up at Kelso, where there is plenty of money on offer, and I think the most interesting one of them is QUAVISTE.
A classy bumper performer last term, seemingly didn’t take to hurdling in the early part of this season, but has shown glimpses of improvement in his last couple of runs.
A slow start means he lines up here off a mark of 113, which to me looks incredibly lenient.
I suspect the long-term plan has always been to keep this horse quiet over winter and target a busy spring, and I expect him to be ready and primed for this assignment.
The stiff track will see plenty of improvement and I am expecting a big performance in a competitive handicap.
Newbury 2.40 – Henderson chaser to knock rivals out of the Park
On the face of it, it would appear NOBLE PARK has reached his handicap ceiling after racking up a couple of quick-fire victories in the early part of the season.
A poor run at Kempton was followed by a thumping at Doncaster, but I saw enough in the Doncaster run over three miles to suggest he is still well handicapped over this intermediate trip.
I would ignore the Kempton run and focus on how he turned into the straight at Doncaster, looking full of running.
I don’t think he stayed the distance there and the winner has a great chance at the Festival, so the form looks strong.
Back down in trip here, I think he could get back on track in an open handicap chase.
READ MORE: Paul Townend gears up for the Cheltenham Festival with Saint Sam heading Navan quartet
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