Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Vincenzo can land Newbury Gold
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews a busy Saturday of racing from Newbury, Doncaster and Kelso.
Newbury, Saturday
TORN AND FRAYED looks to have a good chance in the three-mile-two-furlong Veterans’ Chase (3:15pm). Two starts ago he was second to Nocte Volatus over three miles at Warwick, and that horse has gone on to frank the form by winning since. He was last seen finishing second over two-and-a-half miles at Cheltenham in December, and a reproduction of either of those last two runs would see him be very competitive here.
Paul Nicholls has a very good record in the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3:45pm), so his Twinjets is worthy of respect, but the one I like is VINCENZO. He’s been in excellent form this season, finishing second to Panic Attack in the Paddy Power, second to Glengouly in the December Gold Cup and then winning a competitive handicap at Ascot last time. Those three runs represent very strong form and for those he’s only gone up five pounds in the handicap, so he’s still competitively weighted off a mark of 142. He jumped slightly out to his left at Ascot, so going back left-handed here might also be a help to him.
Doncaster, Saturday
In the Listed Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1:25pm), I thought DREAM SHADOW was of interest. She ran a nice race to finish fourth behind Kingston Queen on heavy ground at Warwick last time. Prior to that she had won on heavy ground at Ayr, but the bulk of her form is on better ground. I thought the step up in trip here on better ground should be ideal for her.
MIGHTY BANDIT was a good winner over course and distance on his last start and might be able to go back-to-back in the two-mile handicap chase (1:55pm). He has two wins from three starts over fences with his only loss coming when second to Manbonumberfive on chase debut back in November. That horse has gone on to frank the form, winning the Grade 2 Wayward Lad at Kempton in December. It was a good performance from Mighty Bandit last time and having course form at Doncaster is always a positive.
In the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (2:30pm), DARTMOOR PIRATE is another horse that brings winning course form from his most recent start. He was a good winner of the Great Yorkshire Chase in January, finishing over three lengths ahead of New Order, who reopposes here. He’s only gone up five pounds for that win, but being two from four over fences, he still has plenty of potential for improvement. Anthony Honeyball is having a good season and could have another big Saturday winner here.
Kelso, Saturday
The Listed Premier Chase (1:40pm) looks to be at the mercy of PROTEKTORAT. On ratings he has 20 pounds in hand of his opposition and should take a world of beating. Finding who will chase him home looks more of a puzzle. Ain’t That A Shame is returning from a long absence, after not being seen in nearly two years since finishing sixth in the 2024 Grand National. He did run a big race to finish second in the Muster National on the back of a break a few years ago though, so is capable of going well when fresh. If ready to go, he might be the one to fill the runner-up spot.
The Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (2:15pm) looks really competitive. MONTEMARES ran well to finish fourth in the Challow Hurdle behind No Drama This End. Harry Cobden had dictated the pace aboard the winner, and Montemares was given a patient ride, so it was a good effort to get as close as he did. That’s good form and I think he could well build on that run here. He’s shown a liking for decent ground, which he should get at Kelso, when winning his previous two starts.
QUAVISTE might be the one in what looks like an open renewal of the Morebattle Hurdle (2:55pm). He caught the eye on his last run when finishing fifth at Kempton, which is good form, and he looked like a horse that was going to improve for that handicap debut. He gets in here off a light weight, with Harry Skelton nearly riding at his lightest, and I thought he could be a horse that is the right side of his handicap mark.
