3 minute read
Sam King is back with three selections on Saturday…
There's plenty to get stuck into on Saturday afternoon, with Kelso kicking off the Racing Post Go North series and Newbury hosting the valuable Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper.
As so often is the case these days, title-chasing Dan Skelton looks to have a whole host of chances across Britain on another big Saturday.
His best chance may come in the shape of the trusty Heltenham, who bids for a third success in the BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase (2.25).
He roared right back to his best when winning the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury last time out and I'm sure that would have delighted connections, who almost certainly would have had their eyes on this prize this afternoon.
Already a two-time winner of the contest having plundered it in 2023 and 2024, Heltenham returns to the Berkshire venue as a four-time winner from his six starts over the course and distance, while a mark of 140, up 6lb for his latest success, is just 4lb higher than when scoring in this event two years ago.
Drying ground conditions will prove absolutely no issue for this versatile nine-year-old, who after his recent confidence-boosting victory, looks well-poised to regain his crown and give the Skelton team another big Saturday winner.
Heltenham – 2pt Win
Odds – 2/1
The Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper (3.35) looks like a race worth following and although I wouldn't be shocked if any of the previous winners could give away the penalty, it's hard not to be tempted into potentially useful Madam Speaker, who receives bundles of weight being a four-year-old filly.
Trained by in-form handler Nicky Henderson, this well-bred daughter of Derby hero Harzand smacked of a massive improver when an eye-catching runner-up in a decent-looking Wincanton bumper on debut.
Tenderly handled in the closing stages, that initial experience should have done her the world of good, while a nice galloping track like Newbury ought to bring out the best in her.
As a result, she looks overpriced at around the 7/1 mark, especially with firms paying 4 places.
Madam Speaker – 1pt Each-way
Odds – 7/1
Earlier on the card, Storming George looks to have solid claims in the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (1.50).
Neil King's charge was disappointing in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton last time but I'm happy to put a line through that and give him another chance now back in handicap company at this track.
He has a key piece of form in the book that makes him of interest off a mark of 125. His third-place finish in a red-hot maiden hurdle here earlier in the season reads well, with the winner, Captian Hugo, going on to land the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso recently, while the fourth home, Klub De Reve, claimed the aforementioned Grade 2 Dovecote and looks poised for a Grade 1 assignment at Aintree next month.
A replication of that effort would make him a huge player off a mark of 12 and being back at this track on drying ground might just see him reproduce it.
Storming George – 1pt Win
Odds – 5/1
