The penultimate weekend in March may not see the leading lights racing in the world of National Hunt. However, Kelso and Newbury‘s cards both look enticing for punters this Saturday.
Matty Sutcliffe heads to those two meetings either side of the Scottish border. He has four best bets for you to follow.
Kelso Racing Tips
Kelso’s meeting kicks off with high-quality Listed action, with Matty’s two best bets coming in the opening two events.
1:00 Kelso – BetWright Beeswing Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Sunset Marquesa 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
Joe Tizzard makes the near seven hour journey up to Kelso for just the one runner with Sunset Marquesa which immediately catches the eye. The daughter of Walk In The Park was only seen nine days ago when falling in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham last week, so it’s interesting they’re happy to roll the dice soon after.
She has a respectable record under rules having acquitted herself well in Grade 2 company on her penultimate run, and while she does have something to find with a couple of these, I think the step up in trip is a good move. She’s often shaped as if a stamina test would suit, and she’s a half sister to a 3m2f chase winner.
1:30 Kelso – BetWright Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Final) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Captain Butler 9/1 1pt EW 5 places
Course and distance winner Captain Butler has been disappointing since that promising hurdling debut with subsequent form figures of 52645 but it was a pleasing return to form at Haydock last time out, shaping as if a return to this trip would suit.
He was a beaten favourite on seasonal debut, but that came off a 256 day break and he was giving 17lbs and 16lbs to the rivals either side of him off top-weight. He failed to fire going chasing, but his Haydock run looked a better reflection of his talents as he stayed on well to be beaten four lengths.
He’s been dropped a further 2lbs for that, and the step back up in trip over a winning C&D bodes well if able to discuss the earlier promise.
Newbury Racing Tips (Saturday 20 March)
Five races will be streamed live on ITV from Newbury this Saturday. Matty has two selections for the terrestrial action.
1:50 Newbury – Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Fresh Perspective 5/1 1pt WIN
Fresh Perspective had wind surgery six days after a poor display in the Sidney Banks which suggests we may be able to draw a line through the performance, and instead judge him on his earlier form.
He’s a fascinating contender under rules as he’s a flat bred winning Pointer by New Approach from an excellent Juddmonte dam-line. He looked potentially useful when running away with a Uttoxeter bumper on yard debut, beating the favourite eased down.
He bombed out at Ascot when keen next time out, but he made no mistake in hurdles debut despite some untidy jumping and looking incredibly green in the closing stages. He then made all to win an Introductory Hurdle at Wetherby, where again he made several awkward shapes at his hurdles. Despite that, his best jump was possibly his last one, and he comfortably made it two from two.
His Sandown third was more than respectable, where he jumped a touch more fluently despite going out to his left. He couldn’t quite find a gear to match the kick of the first two home, but that form has worked out nicely as the second was subsequently fourth in the Turners, and the fourth was second in the Supreme, with the pair rated 146 and 153 respectively.
His form left handed reads 1111 as opposed to 035 going right handed, so returning to running this way can suit, particularly as he jumped out to his left at Sandown. He looks very well-handicapped off 123 on that form, and the step up in trip can further suit now going handicapping.
3:00 Newbury – BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Trinity Street 20/1 1pt EW 5 places
The market looks to be wrong here as top-weight Charisma Cat has to confirm the Chepstow form with Trinity Street, who has a 10lbs swing in the weights with her for just a length defeat and is over three times the price.
Admittedly, that form was upheld at Market Rasen next time out, but she’s a big galloping mare who doesn’t strike as one who would’ve been suited by Newbury which certainly looked the case. By Mahler out of a Flemensfirth mare from the family of 2019 Ultima winner Beware The Bear, it’s no surprise she’s getting sent up in trip which looks sure to suit for a yard who’re 2/5 here in handicap hurdles in the last five seasons.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:00 Kelso – BetWright Beeswing Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Sunset Marquesa 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
1:30 Kelso – BetWright Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Final) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Captain Butler 9/1 1pt EW 5 places
1:50 Newbury – Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Fresh Perspective 5/1 1pt WIN
3:00 Newbury – BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Trinity Street 20/1 1pt EW 5 places
Captain Butler
Fresh Perspective
Trinity StreetMatty Sutcliffe’s Top Tips – Saturday 14 March
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Kelso & Newbury on Saturday 21 March.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.10am on Friday 20 March.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
Commercial notice: This article on GG.co.uk contains affiliate links. The offers we promote come from operators that we trust and our experts have first-hand experience dealing with. If you open an account through one of these affiliate links then GG will earn revenue. However, we ensure that the money earned goes back into improving and enhancing our coverage of horse racing and other sports, as we look to provide an excellent service to our growing audience.