Hi all,
A strong Saturday of competitive racing. No Grade 1s, but three big-field handicaps at Kelso, Doncaster, and Newbury for punters to get stuck into.
Inside, you can read my thoughts on Saturday’s racing.
Kelso’s Rich Rewards: Morebattle Day Delivers Big Prizes
As I’ve mentioned before, Kelso is a track whose race quality improves year after year. That’s clear on Morebattle Day, which boasted superb prize money and attracted a maximum field of 18 for the feature race. The winner banked £61,728—serious money for a handicap hurdle.
Grey Dawning had a class advantage in the Listed bet365 Premier Chase, and Harry Skelton made full use of it. He got the grey into a smooth jumping rhythm out in front and ground it out to win by 2½ lengths from Iroko. Skelton even had time to look through his legs on the run-in! The Aintree Bowl is next, and that race looks tailor-made for the galloping grey.
Iroko ran a respectable Grand National trial, but his jumping still looked novicey. He wouldn't have stood a chance over the old National fences, but with the modifications, he might just get away with it.
There was a rare Willie Mullins runner at Kelso in Chart Topper, who was well-backed at 5/4 for the Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle. He had to settle for second behind Jet To Vegas, who has a serious engine. Despite racing keenly and jumping slightly right, he had too much pace on the run-in, giving Lucinda Russell a third success in the race.
Cracking Rhapsody Reigns Again as Morebattle Delivers Thrills
The Morebattle Hurdle has been revitalised since switching to a handicap in 2020, and it delivered again. Last year’s winner Cracking Rhapsody was back to defend his crown. Higher in the weights this time, he toughed it out to overhaul Alnilam late on, extending his Kelso form figures to 21111.
Alnilam ran a blinder in second, helping to set a strong pace and only getting collared close home. He'd have preferred softer ground and could be County Hurdle-bound at Cheltenham.
I had Cracking Rhapsody on my final shortlist early in the week but went with Favour And Fortune and Cormier instead. I thought the drying ground might not suit the winner, which led me to Favour And Fortune—but he never really handled the sharp track and went backwards from last time. Cormier, tipped at 50/1 each-way, ran a much better race in finishing 6th.
Vischio stayed on late for 7th, struggling to go the early gallop, while Petrol Head ran OK on his debut for Neil Mulholland—he might have needed the run and should improve for quicker ground.
The well-fancied Jonjo O’Neill pair, Wilful (18/5 fav) and Tellherthename (11/2), both dropped away tamely.
Newbury: Booster Bob Lands the Ride of the Season!
The feature Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase produced an extraordinary winner in Booster Bob, who came from the clouds to land this valuable prize.
The winner was virtually tailed off early, and even turning for home, he was still last and at least 15 lengths behind. Most jockeys would have pulled him up—but Sean Bowen never gave up, and it paid off in what must be the ride of the season.
At the last, I thought my selection Vincenzo had it. He'd just edged past Saint Segal, but Booster Bob’s power-packed finish blew them away, forcing him to settle for second.
If you followed my midweek big-race trends, you'd have been on the winner!
The big-race trends have been in good form so far in 2025—I just wish I’d been following them more closely myself. Hopefully, some of you have been!
Doncaster: Moroder Strikes Again with Grimthorpe Glory at 33/1
The headline for Saturday’s column was:
“Moroder Targets Second Grimthorpe Victory at Doncaster”
And he duly delivered at 33/1!
Two years ago, Moroder won the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase on good ground off a 6lb higher mark. Back in the blinkers he wore when second at Cheltenham last April everything looked set for a big run.
Always prominent, he jumped well, relished the quick ground, and stormed home to land the big prize.
Here’s what I wrote for Victor Value subscribers in my race preview on Friday:
“Moroder won this race on good ground two years ago off 6lb higher. Struggled last season until finishing a 1½-length second of 14 at Cheltenham last April. That Cheltenham performance showed his trainer can prepare for a race when required, and he gets his ground here.”
The money came for The Kniphand (4/1) and Hymac (11/2), who finished second and third, but they were no match for a well-handicapped winner on the day.
As I highlighted in Saturday’s column, five of the last ten winners of the Grimthorpe had gone off at 14/1 or bigger, so it’s always a race to watch for big-priced winners.
The only surprise? That Moroder went off at 33/1—I had him priced at 14/1 on my tissue!
March Kicks Off with a Bang – Just in Time for Cheltenham!
After a frustrating February, March has started with a bang, just in time for the Cheltenham Festival.
Good luck with your Monday bets!
John