Catching Pigeons gossip column for the weekend

2.55 Doncaster - King Vega

King Vega could prove the value bet in the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday. Andrew Balding won this race with Kameko when it was run at Newcastle 12 months ago, and hopes are high that his stablemate can follow up, despite the fact that he is still a maiden and has found one too good on his two outings so far.

Both performances came at Sandown and the result of his latest effort in the Group Three Solario Stakes may have been different, had not been denied a clear run in the closing stages. By the time his path had cleared, he had run out of time to launch a meaningful challenge to the cosy winner Etonian.

Clearly the son of Lope De Vega must step up a fair bit to prevail here but he has been working very well and there are plenty of reasons to think he can improve sufficiently to play a significant part in an open race.

It Had To Be You 5.10 Doncaster

It Had To Be You can land a belated first win of the season in division one of the Breeders Cup On Sky Handicap. This marks only his second outing of the campaign and he is expected to build on his very encouraging second at Musselburgh last month. His lack of action could now prove an advantage at this late stage of the season and he looks nicely weighted on that performance and his two outings for William Haggas in 2019.

Jumby 3.30 Doncaster

Jumby is still highly rated by the Eve Johnson Houghton team and is fancied to double his career tally in the Scott Dobson Nursery. Well-touted when landing a comfortable win in a hot event at Ascot, he has been a little disappointing on his two subsequent outings at Newbury but the form still looks solid enough. He looks worth another chance now he drops in class and returns to seven furlongs.

3.35 Newbury - Mujbar

Mujbar could reward each-way support in the Group Three Molson Coors Beverage Company Stakes at Newbury. Charlie Hills' juvenile could not have been more impressive when hacking up in the mud at Newmarket in August but was then put into his place on his first venture into pattern company at the Doncaster St Leger meeting. He found the ground too fast that day and will be more at home with Saturday's easier surface at his home course.

3.15 Cheltenham - I'd Better Go Now

I’d Better Go Now can strike for the in-form Dan Skelton team in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. Always a man with a plan is Dan and he has had this race in mind for some time for this progressive gelding, who carries the multi-coloured jacket of the Noel Fehily syndicate. He gave the impression that he would appreciate this test of stamina after hosing up on his comeback in a much less demanding event at Perth In September and has pleased connections in with homework since.

5.35 Cheltenham - Animal

Suzy Smith does well with her small team and it may pay to take a chance with Animal in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Standard Open NH Flat Race. An impressive winner of a similar event at Market Rasen in February, he has been working extremely well of late and merits serious consideration despite some potentially smart youngsters in opposition.

2.33 Kelso - The Hollow Ginge

The Hollow Ginge, who is the youngest in the field and is proven to go well fresh, should give some very solid stayers the hurry up in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap Chase at Kelso. Nigel Twiston-Davies looks to have found a good opportunity for the seven-year-old, who beat two more than decent types in Follow The Bear and The Conditional on what was his chasing debut and seasonal bow at Worcester last season.

A repeat of that performance would see him bang there at the end of this extended three-and-a-qurater miles, a trip that may be too sharp for some of his rivals, especially if the ground remains good.

1.57 Aintree Sunday - Itchy Feet

Itchy Feet should go well on his reappearance in the Monet's Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday. Disappointing on his only start over hurdles last season, he was then sent over fences by Olly Murphy and rewarded the move with a Grade One novice chase win at Sandown on his second start.

Things did not work out for him at the Cheltenham Festival but he starts the season in great nick and schooled very well on Friday morning. With so few miles on the clock, he looks sure to improve in the weeks ahead and should give his more experienced rivals plenty to think about.

2.32 AIntree - Ofalltheginjoints

Ofalltheginjoints could prove the toast in the Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. Some of the Colin Tizzard team have just been found wanting for a lack of a recent run so far this autumn but this fencing debutant showed he comes to hand readily with his win over Flic Ou Voyou in a Chepstow novice hurdle just under a year ago. The step up to three miles for the first time since his pointing days should suit and he starts his career over the larger obstacles from what looks a reasonable mark.