We have a busy day’s racing on Saturday with action from Doncaster, Lingfield, Newbury, Southwell and Meydan, live on Sky Sports Racing…
3.45 Newbury – Vincenzo and Twinjets bid for Greatwood Gold Cup glory
Vincenzo and Twinjets are sure to be popular in a competitive edition of the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Sam Thomas saddles Vincenzo who chased home Booster Bob in this contest last year and arrives on the back of a cosy success at Ascot last month. Up 2lb for that victory, he has obvious claims under Dylan Johnston.
Twinjets scored by 10 lengths when beating off Heltenham over this track and 2m 4f trip in November and can be forgiven a poor run when unseating at Cheltenham in January. He returns from a short break with an excellent chance for trainer Paul Nicholls who has won this race a record nine times.
Issam justified favouritism when landing a Kempton handicap chase last time and shapes as if he could have plenty more left in the tank.
Heltenham, the 2024 winner, is another with each-way claims for Dan Skelton and Charlie Todd.
2.30 Doncaster – King’s Threshold and Dartmoor Pirate feature
A splendid renewal of the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster where King’s Threshold and Dartmoor Pirate headline a field of 13.
Emma Lavelle’s King’s Threshold had options at the Cheltenham Festival next month but has chosen to come here and could be the one to beat under James Bowen. The form of his latest Newbury win is solid, and he must be taken seriously.
Dartmoor Pirate seeks a hat-trick after winning at Lingfield before taking the Great Yorkshire Chase at this venue last time and he looks a danger from 5lb higher in the weights. New Order was second in that contest and merits respect off the same mark.
Neil Mulholland has three runners in here with Kelce the pick under Conor O’Farrell. The eight-year-old racked up a third success over fences and the extra couple of furlongs to 3m 2f ought to suit this strong stayer.
Stablemates Broomfields Cave and Lord Accord complete the shortlist.
2.35 Lingfield – Red-hot Ten Carat Harry faces Richie’s Rocket
Lingfield stages a trappy-looking Listed BetMGM Spring Cup Stakes where in-form Ten Carat Harry faces seven rivals.
A perfect six wins from six starts on the all-weather, Jamie Osborne’s charge has been progressing through the grades this winter and deserves a crack at this better race. The manner of his latest Newcastle victory was impressive and the step up to seven furlongs should not inconvenience him.
Richie’s Rocket, third on debut at Newmarket in October, made a sparkling all-weather debut when clearing away to win by nine lengths over this trip and track the following month. Well-backed on that occasion, he quickened stylishly despite showing signs of greenness and rates one to follow.
Of the others, Hilitany has some useful form from Meydan this year, while Sir Albert and Bella Lyra are worth a mention.
Best of the rest
5.40am Randwick – Group One Verry Elleegant Stakes where Golden Eagle winner Autumn Glow features and Trinity College debuts for Waller. Sir Delius appears too!
Meydan – Super Saturday
2.50 Meydan – Group Three with Symbol Of Honour and Run Boy Run involved.
3.25 Meydan – Group Three with Apollo One declared.
4.00 Meydan – Group Two where Quddwah and Alakazi clash.
4.35 Meydan – Group Two Al Maktoum Classic with Mendelssohn Bay and Heart Of Honor fancied.
5.10 Meydan – Group Two Dubai City Of Gold – Rebel’s Romance tops eight runners.
5.55 Meydan – Group Three with Audience representing David O’Meara.
6.30 Meydan – Talk Of New York is expected to be useful for Charlie Appleby.
2.40 Newbury – Rodney bids for a four-timer.
3.15 Newbury – Brave Kingdom and Eldorado Allen headline Veterans’ Chase. Mister Coffey, Hang In There and Capodanno also feature.
4.58 Newbury – Joe Tizzard’s Fairy Park rates an intriguing debutant.
1.25 Doncaster – Listed mares novices’ hurdle with Coolanna and Broomfield Aderra fancied.
1.55 Doncaster – Mighty Bandit and Queens Gamble headline classy handicap field.
3.52 Lingfield – Royal Jet bids for another success.
6.30 Southwell – Unbeaten Chantelle features for Sir Mark Prescott.
7.00 Southwell – Aisling Oscar is back again!
7.30 Southwell – Charlie Appleby saddles two newcomers. Pursuit Of Love is a brother to Fanny Logan. Sailor Song is related to Eldar Eldarov.
11.11 Gulfstream Park – Grade Two Fountain Of Youth – Kentucky Derby trial where Commandment and Napoleon Solo feature. Sovereignty won this last year.
