The Cheltenham Festival is just over two weeks away but there’s no sense of racing pausing for breath before the greatest show on turf. Saturday’s ITV Racing card features a superb variety of equine contests.
Our best bets for the broadcast come from the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton, the 4m Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle and the Grade 3 Winter Derby on the all-weather at Southwell.
ITV Racing Tips – Saturday February 24th
Newcastle 2.08 – The Galloping Bear to win @ 8/1
Kempton 2:27 – Arclight to win @ 5/1
Southwell 3:20 – Military Order to win @ 9/4
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
Veteran stayer can bounce back to form at scene of last year’s silver medal
The Eider Chase is never far from a biblical slog and even seasoned stayers can’t be relied upon not to tap out before the finish line after 4m1f on what’s usual soft ground or worst.
One runner we can be absolutely certain is suited to this particular assignment is Ben Clarke’s 11-year-old THE GALLOPING BEAR, who was extremely unfortunate to bump into a very well-handicapped Kitty’s Light when he finished second in last year’s race.
The winner, who was in receipt of 8lbs from the selection on that occasion, went on to complete a hat-trick of staying handicap chase wins following that success – claiming the Scottish Grand National and the bet365 Chase at Sandown in his next two races.
The Galloping Bear hasn’t shone since (his form reads PU, PU, 8) but he may well have been aimed at this contest since last year’s near miss. He returns on the same mark, but also benefits from the 5lb claim of Joe Anderson, a jockey who claimed an ITV success last Saturday at Ascot.
Tip: Newcastle 2.08 – The Galloping Bear to win @ 8/1
Pendil conditions perfect for progressive mare to continue her winning streak
Nicky Henderson’s ARCLIGHT steps out of mares-only company for the first time over fences and will need to prove she can mix it with the fellas, but she looks certain to be suited by the Pendil Novices’ Chase as a contest.
The youngest in the field at five, she’s so far unbeaten in three runs over the larger obstacles, has won both her previous runs on soft going, her only try at the 2m4f trip and both her previous races at Kempton.
She’ll also receive 5lbs and upwards in weight from her rivals due to her mare’s allowance. The second in her most recent victory has won since and although she has to prove she has what it takes to score in open company there’s much to like about her chances of doing so.
Tip: Kempton 2:27 – Arclight to win @ 5/1
Race-fit Military Order can plunder Winter Derby glory for red-hot Appleby firm
The Charlie Appleby operation are in fine fettle at the time of writing (Thursday evening), with nine winners from their last 18 runners and the yard’s MILITARY ORDER is a confident pick for Winter Derby honours.
Appleby has targeted this race selectively but judiciously in his career to date. With a record of one win and one placed horse from two attempts, his four-year-old can be trusted to be there or thereabouts at the climax.
Military Order looked highly progressive when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial last term but was undone by the undulations when last at Epsom next time out and didn’t find 1m6f to his liking when down the field in the Chester Stakes last September.
He was only beaten a head in the Winter Derby Trial over course and distance in January and that effort should put him spot on for this contest as well as giving him a race-fitness advantage over his older, more exposed rivals.
