Hi all,

In today's main piece, I'm bypassing Kelso and Newbury to focus on the three races at Doncaster featured on ITV.

Saturday Preview

Following a week dominated by small fields and low-grade races, it's refreshing to anticipate some higher-quality racing on Saturday.

Kelso

It’s good to soft, soft in places at Kelso for its valuable Morebattle Hurdle Day. However, there was the possibility of 5/6mm more rain.  If the rain does arrive the ground could have eased to soft all over.

Saturday’s feature race Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle is likely to see a maximum field of 18 runners. Such a large turnout is a testament to the hard work of the Borders track and underscores the decision to transform the race into a handicap.  I covered the Morebattle in Wednesday’s column so I won’t go through the race again. However, if you want my selections for the race and for the rest of the month you can get them here.

Newbury

Sadly, Newbury’s valuable Greatwood Gold Cup (1:55) hasn’t seen such a good entry. Just nine were declared for the race. That’s if the race takes place.  There was 11mm of rain on Friday, and another 7mm was being forecast for Friday night. Newbury officials have called an 8am Saturday morning inspection to see if racing can go ahead.

I said on Thursday that I would give you the trends qualifiers for the Greatwood Gold Cup and here they are. After no qualifiers last year, we have no less than five this year.

Grandeur Dame

Kandoo Kid

Heltenham

Sir Psycho

Bill Baxter

Two of the five made my race shortlist.

Doncaster: Grimthorpe Chase Day

Besides the best of the action from Kelso and Newbury ITV Racing covering three races from Doncaster.

It’s Grimthorpe Handicap Chase Day at the South Yorkshire track.  It was good to soft, soft in places on the chase course and the reverse on the hurdles course at Doncaster on Friday afternoon but there could be some showers tomorrow. It’s hard to envisage the ground being any better come the start of racing if the going description is accurate.

Unlike the Newbury feature handicap chase, the Grimthorpe Chase has managed to attract 13 runners for the contest which has £36,421 on offer to the winner. Albeit any further ease in the ground could lead to some non-runners.

2:35 – Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m ½ f

Nube Negra, Homme Public, Malystic, & The Big Bite wouldn’t want the ground to ease further.

If the ground is good, top weight Nube Negra could have a class advantage dropped back into handicap company. The first time cheekpieces are applied and he will have a big chance if the rain stays away.

More ease in the ground won’t inconvenience Tommy’s Oscar who is suited by C&D. Riders Onthe Storm returns from wind surgery. He won the Old Roan Chase (2m 4f) at Aintree last season and is 9lb lower here. Needs to revive after breathing operation. Numitor is having his first start since pulling up in the Topham Chase at Aintree last April. He’s down handy mark and if he’s ready roll after an absence (has won fresh in the past) wouldn’t be far away on soft ground.

3:10 – Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Listed Race) – 3m ½ f

A tricky puzzle and not really my sort of race. Lunar Discovery stayed 2m 4f strongly a neck 2nd of 11 at Carlisle 26 days ago. Handles testing ground well and she has solid claims if staying an extended 3m.

Ottizzini arguably posted a career best when winning a Musselburgh novice hurdle (3m) last time. The mare made all that day and may not get the run of the race this time and has to concede 3lb to her ten rivals.

Gaye Legacy has been progressive since stepping up to around 3m in handicap company this season and posted a career best on RPR’s when beating 15 rivals at Newbury 39 days ago. Suited by some ease in the ground she could be the answer.

3:40 – Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 2f

This year's renewal highlights its competitiveness, with nine out of the 13 runners making it onto the shortlist.

Some Scope, now 10lb higher than his recent win here over 3m, may benefit from today's longer trip, making him the one to beat if the ground remains no worse than good to soft.

Kinondo Kwetu, having struggled on softer ground on his last start, has potential to perform better but would prefer a sounder surface.

Erne River, victorious in cheekpieces two starts back, remains on a competitive mark despite stamina concerns.

Certainly Red, might be better going right-handed but he's worth considering after a good performance at Sandown last time.

Undersupervison, a previous winner of this race and a neck runner-up last year, isn’t the most consistent of horses but on a going day won’t be far away.

Hidden Heroics needs to bounce back from a disappointing run last time and is on a favorable mark. Stablemate Ashtown Lad, with cheekpieces on for the first time, is at the same mark as when winning the Becher Chase at Aintree last season.

Half Shot is ground versatile, and a good jumper of a fence. He might be better at bit shorter but isn’t handicapped out of this.

Charlie Uberalles caught my eye when a 3 ¼ length 3^rd of 18 to to Annual Invictus in Great Yorkshire Chase here last time (runner-up won at Kempton last Saturday). He’s only had five starts over fences so maybe capable of a bit better stepped up to 3m 2f. Softer ground is a concern but that aside he’s high on my shortlist.

Saturday Selection:

Doncaster

3:10 – Gaye Legacy – 9/2 & bigger.

I will be back on Monday with my review of Saturday’s big race action.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John