Nicky Richard’s Wetlands followed up on his impressive win at Ayr in December by beating Olly Murphy’s fancied horse to win at Newcastle, by 4 ¾ lengths, last Saturday. He’s a nice horse and one to look out for when he goes over fences next season.
I’m heading to Kelso tomorrow where I have eight rides…
Saturday 6th March – Kelso
12.25pm – Magna Moralia
I’ve not ridden him in a race before but I have ridden him at home. His form at Uttoxeter has taken a good boost as the horse he finished second to has won two since. You’d like to think he has every chance.
12.55pm – Fair Kate
On the best of her form she would have a big chance in what looks a fairly open race. She’s coming from Herefordshire, which is a fair distance, so I’m hoping she will be competitive.
1.30pm – Bareback Jack
He’s three from three and is a smart horse who we think a lot of. I felt he put up a good performance the last day but he didn’t really enjoy making the running so we’ll be aiming to take a lead with him. There looks to be plenty of pace on in the race which should suit.
It’s a competitive race and he’s got the Skelton horse to beat but I genuinely wouldn’t swap Bareback Jack (9/2) for anything in the race. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.
2.05pm – Sebastopol
I’ve ridden Sebastopol (8/1) once before at Huntingdon (over 2m) – I felt he’d get 2m4f and likes a strong gallop. He’s had his wind done and has stepped up to 2m4f now. There are a couple of improving Novice’s in the race – the Nicholl’s horse looks a fair horse – and it’s a competitive race but this lad won the Scottish County Hurdle under Johnny Burke and I think he has an each way chance.
2.40pm – Lake View Lad
I won the Many Clouds Chase on him at Aintree in December, beating Native River, Santini and Frodon. If he reproduced that form you’d have to think he has every chance tomorrow. I’m not sure what happened in his next run at Sandown but you can forgive any horse an ordinary run. It’s a competitive race with the National favourite, Cloth Cap, as well as Aso, Definitely Red and Two For Gold, who beat Aso last time out, but he’s a decent horse in his own right. Lake View Lad (5/1) has run at the track before and the ground shouldn’t be an issue. I’m led to believe he’s in good form at home so we are hopeful for a good run.
3.15pm – Blakeney Point
Blakeney Point (14/1) is still unexposed and was a decent flat horse. His Novice form was a bit mixed but he won his first handicap, the Hogmaneigh Hurdle at Musselburgh on 1st Jan. I don’t think he was overly hard on himself last time out hence he’s been declared with blinkers tomorrow. He’s in good form at home but it’s a big race, so we’re hoping they’ll spark some improvement.
The Irish horse, The Shunter, won the Greatwood – it’s interesting they’re coming over knowing the difficulties with travelling between England and Ireland currently, so I’d say they fancy their chances!
3.50pm – Vardo Forte
Another ride for Tom Lacey. He won a nice handicap at Doncaster a couple of runs ago and his runs since have been respectable. He has loads of experience over fences and is getting 4lbs off the top two. Obviously, Skelton’s horse won an ordinary race well up there the last day and the Nicholls’ horse is not a nice horse too so although it’s not a big field, it is competitive. I think the race will be run to suit him though and I’m hoping his experience will tell in a Novice handicap.
4.25pm – Donaire
For another Irish trainer, Stuart Crawford, who regularly brings horses over and does well in bumpers. I’m lucky enough to have ridden a few winners for Stuart and I’m led to believe he’s a nice horse with a good pedigree. I’ve won on Hear Me Out who carries a penalty, the Kim Bailey horse would be interesting with a decent pedigree too and the four-year-olds get a bit of weight off us. This is his first time out ever but Stuart’s horses are always well prepared, so I’d be hopeful he’ll run a nice race.
*All odds correct at time of writing.