Horse Racing Tips on Saturday, March 5
There are five meetings spread across Britain on Saturday, March 5th with the weekend action coming from Doncaster, Kelso, Lingfield, Newbury and Southwell. Our editor has picked out the best bets across the cards which make up our Saturday Lucky 15.
Sholokjack (1:32 Kelso)
The unbeaten North Lodge will be expected to continue winning ways after defeating the useful Balco Coastal in a grade 2 at Cheltenham back in January. Alan king’s charge is entitled to plenty of respect but the drop back in trip isn’t sure to suit after that latest effort and instead it’s worth supporting SHOLOKJACK who has looked like a smart recruit since joining the Skelton’s and is a perfect 2 from 2 coming into Saturday’s contest.
The winning Irish point-to-pointer has landed back to back maiden and novice events at Leicester and Wetherby and although the six-year-old faces significantly tougher opponents this weekend, Dan Skelton’s charge was mighty impressive when barely out of second gear when last seen and a step up in trip on Saturday could unlock even further improvement.
Sholokjack looks worthy of his place in Graded company and can extend his winning run, especially receiving 5lb from the likely market leader North Lodge.
Itchy Feet (2:40 Kelso)
This looks like a good bit of placing from Olly Murphy and it would be no surprise to see ITCHY FEET return to winning ways after a series of promising efforts since returning in October.
The eight-year-old has been unlucky not to add to his two wins over the larger obstacles and has come up against some tough opponents in his recent outings over fences. Itchy Feet returned at Aintree this campaign and was only beaten 1l behind Allmankind in the Old Roan Chase before bumping into unbeaten talented novice Bravemansgame at Haydock in November.
Returning from a 64-day break, Itchy Feet again posted a respectable effort when finishing behind established staying performers in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield’s inaugural Winter Million Meeting in January. That fourth-place finish was just his second start beyond 2m4f over fences and the way he saw out that race suggests Saturday’s 3mile trip will be no issue.
Olly Murphy’s charge has held his form in higher grades than his in the past and although he is an infrequent winner, Itchy Feet looks to have plenty of things in his favour this weekend and is a confident selection to take home the prize.
The Big Bite (2:55 Doncaster)
With course figures of 1-2-2, it’s hard to get away from THE BIG BITE who posted a promising runner-up effort last time out over course and distance behind subsequent Newbury Grade 2 winner Funambule Sivola.
That recent second was an eye-catching effort as Henry Oliver’s charge settled well in the rear before making headway under Brian Hughes to mount a serious challenge after the last flight.
Although the nine-year-old couldn’t real in Venetia Williams’ progressive chaser on that occasion, The Big Bite appeared to finish with plenty left in the tank and could be primed to go one place better this weekend returning to what is arguably his favourite venue.
Le Milos (3:30 Doncaster)
LE MILOS was a winning lucky 15 selection for this article last time out at Sandown and it’s hard to look past the obvious claims of Tim Vaughan’s improving staying chaser once more.
The seven-year-old has simply thrived since racing over the larger obstacles, failing to finish outside the top three and recording three wins from just the six starts over fences. On return at Exeter this season, Le Milos highlighted his untapped potential over staying trips when finishing strongly on his first start over 3miles to snatch second on the line from Run To Milan.
Connections have since kept him exclusively at that distance and it’s proven to be a wise decision as the vastly improving seven-year-old has landed back to back competitive handicaps at Exeter and most recently at Sandown in February, where Tim Vaughan’s charge stayed on best of all to see off the late challenge from course regular Deise Aba.
Le Milos has the potential to improve further now granted a proper stamina test this weekend over 3m2f and with connections eyeing up a potential tilt at the Midlands Grand National towards the end of March, Tim Vaughan clearly holds his charge in the highest regard and the eight-year-old is certainly worth supporting once again.