Our top tipster, Daryl Carter, weighs in with five selections for Saturday’s cards at Newbury, Doncaster and Kelso. Check out his tips below, alongside an exclusive SBK offer that provides money back in cash up to £20.
Prices correct at time of writing and of those available
KAUTO RIKO – (13:15 Newbury, 1pt win – 4/1)
There’s plenty of pace on in this contest, and that could suit KAUTO RIKO, who has the services of Kieren Buckley claiming five pounds off of his back after an eye-catching performance at Cheltenham last time. He is a veteran, but he is unexposed at this 3m trip after just three attempts, and he has recorded career-best RPR ratings of 142, 147 and 152 (latest).
For the first time in his career, this is a drop into calmer waters and into a Veterans’ race, and there is certainly a race left in him. Aso is feared on this return to a right-handed track and off a reduced mark. Still, he has been in behind the selection before, and he did have a tough race at Exeter just 20 days ago, while the selection was tenderly handled at Cheltenham in the Cotswold Chase.
Kauto Riko has gone off at odds of 5/1 or shorter just seven times in his career, yielding form figures of 1211312. Outside of that, he has simply been in races he can’t win. Hopefully, today is one he can.
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THE BIG BITE – (14:55 Doncaster, 2pts win – 11/4)
THE BIG BITE loves Doncaster, and last term, connections made the mistake of skipping this engagement in favour of Newbury, but that’s not the case today. He returns to Doncaster off the same handicap mark as chasing home subsequent graded winner Funambule Sivola 36 days ago, and this looks like an easier task on paper.
He is likely to get the lead in this contest, and his excellent record at this venue of 221 can be continued off this workable handicap mark with conditions in his favour. He has improved his RPR rating the second time after a break four of the last five years, and if he does that today, he will prove very hard to beat.
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LORD BADDESLEY – (15:02 Newbury, 2pts win – 9/4)
LORD BADDESLEY has been left on the same handicap mark as his eye-catching Betfair Hurdle 4th. He clearly likes Newbury, with his only other visit an emphatic seven-length win in a Novice Hurdle. He is well-handicapped at this venue at least, and this represents a drop in class against inferior rivals.
His biggest danger could be the well-treated Straw Fan Jack, who is out of form at present or Glory And Honour, who is best on good ground on a right-handed track. There is plenty in his favour to land this contest and deservingly get his head back in front.
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DORKING BOY – (3.37 Newbury, 1pt win – 7/2)
DORKING BOY arrives here in excellent fettle after chasing home a well-handicapped improver at Taunton last time and recorded an excellent time figure (11 secs faster than the Sydney Banks) in the process.
He is the here and now horse, and since the removal of the hood, he has improved on his speed figures, sparking an interest that he may be about to put in a near career-best effort. He resides on the same mark as winning at this venue in 2019 after a run at Taunton, and with question marks over many of his rivals, he gets the vote.
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HARDY DE SEUIL – )3.43 Kelso, 2pts win – 9/4)
HARDY DU SEUIL was given a frustrating ride at Haydock last time when held up at the rear of the field and tracking the inside route in the worst of the ground. He was reigned back after jumping every fence, so in the hope that this drop back in trip allows him to run more freely, he could have lots more to come off this mark of 135.
I’ve always thought of him as a speedy two-miler, and this is a drop in grade today. He is unexposed, unlike most of these, and he is firmly on the upgrade. He is the one to side with here, Gold Des Bois will go in sooner or later, and Heartbreak Kid is another that is on the upgrade.
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DARYL CARTER’S BEST BETS
KAUTO RIKO – (13:15 Newbury, 1pt win – 4/1)
THE BIG BITE – (14:55 Doncaster, 2pts win – 11/4)
LORD BADDESLEY – (15:02 Newbury, 2pts win – 9/4)
DORKING BOY – (3.37 Newbury, 1pt win – 7/2)
HARDY DE SEUIL – )3.43 Kelso, 2pts win – 9/4)
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