Man On The Spot previews Saturday's Pick 7 races

2.40 Kelso Edinburgh Gin Handicap Hurdle 

A very competitive handicap with the weights headed by Seeyouatmidnight, regarded as a Gold Cup possible at the start of the season, and the six-times Grade 1 winner Reve De Sivola. Knockara Beau has won a couple of Grade 2 races, including one here, but isn’t getting any younger. Eminent Poet has won three of his last four and Bryden Boy three of his last five and both should be thereabouts again. Runswick Royal could give a boost to the form of Isaacstown Lad’s second at Ayr in the opener, though there is nothing between that one and Shades Of Midnight on the form book. BIG RIVER has run well on quicker surfaces at Musselburgh and Haydock since scoring easily on heavy going at Ayr in December. He’s won two of his three previous starts here and finished second in the other so gets a narrow vote.

3.00 Newbury EBF & TBA Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Finale

Tara View is unbeaten over hurdles and beat Wizard's Sliabh and Hitherjacques Lady at Ludlow in December. But she has a big weight to carry and so does the consistent Copper Kay, though she beat Snow Leopardess when second over 2m here in the autumn and the latter subsequently accounted for Same Circus at Doncaster. Grand Turina steps up in distance but her second behind River Wylde at Ludlow in January has worked out well and she beat an odds-on chance at Warwick earlier this month. Lamanver Odyssey and Ruby Yeats have each-way claims on these terms but SISTER SIBYL could be the pick of the weights. Hughie Morrison has not rushed the King’s Theatre mare but she’s been heading in the right direction and should handle this longer trip having won twice at Towcester. Fergus Gregory claims 10lb on Miss Tongabezi and she may be best of the rest.

3.15 Kelso Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Chase

Brian Hughes rode a superb waiting race on Seldom Inn in a Listed race here three weeks ago. He allowed higher-rated rivals to take each other on and picked up the pieces impressively in the closing stages, though his mount was possibly flattered by the eventual winning margin. Raised 10lb for that, Sandy Thomson’s three-times course winner may now be too close in the weights to BAYWING (NAP). It took a while for the penny to drop over fences but there was no fluke about the top weight ‘s victory in a Grade 2 at Wetherby last time - the second and third both ran well at Cheltenham subsequently and the fourth has won twice since. Silver Tassie was ending a long losing run at Ayr and is 6lb higher while Yala Enki has struggled off higher marks since scoring at Haydock in December. The remaining trio may all struggle to make an impact in a race like this. 

3.35 Newbury OCSL Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 

Deauville Crystal was closing on the winner over 2m at Sandown two weeks ago and looks sure to stay the extra yardage here. She goes on the short-list along with Dinsdale, successful over 2m here on his latest start. A line through Most Celebrated gives the latter a bit to find with the progressive DON BERSY, however. Tom Symonds’ juvenile has now won his last three and it’s hard to see Final Choice reversing recent running. Night Of Sin beat Timoteo at Bangor and followed up at Warwick but looks harshly treated for what he’s achieved. Templier won over 1m6f on the Flat so might enjoy a step up in distance but Hygrove Percy is looking a little exposed. Buckle Street’s Southwell win is working out better than expected so he shouldn’t be ignored.

4.10 Newbury John Haine Memorial Novices' Hurdle 

Most Celebrated found little when push came to shove behind Dinsdale, who runs in the previous race, here earlier in the month and takes on older horses for the first time. Ffos Las winner RED INDIAN was surprisingly turned over when a hot favourite at Kelso in January but is rated 7lb higher than Sir Antony Browne, also a beaten favourite at Fontwell last time after winning at Wincanton. Adrrastos is proving expensive to follow while Whin Park, who has hinted at ability, will be qualified for handicaps after this. Beach Bar has been running at Meydan but this trip stretches his stamina.

4.25 Kelso Ashleybank Investments Reg & Betty Tweedie Handicap Chase 

Ann Hamilton won this last year with a 16/1 chance but is struggling to find a race over fences for Nine Altars. Casual Cavalier should reverse Ayr running with Las Tunas on 4lb better terms and will be fancied to pick up the winning thread again but Craiganboy finished well behind Nine Altars before breaking his duck at Ayr and is 4lb worse off. FOREST DES AIGLES ran his best race to date in this country over course and distance three weeks ago. He was just behind a subsequent winner and can get off the mark for new connections if jumping a little better today. Oliver's Gold’s last win came off a higher mark but that was 18 months ago and he’s become unpredictable.  

4.45 Newbury Goffs UK Spring Sales Bumper 

This looks a strong bumper so one of the newcomers will need to be useful to make a winning debut. However, Nicky Henderson’s Ligny is a half-brother to Lidar - who won a bumper, a hurdle and two chases - so he’s worth a market check. Blackberry Wine and Bullionaire should also have a future but we’ll concentrate on those with experience. A four-year-old beat older rivals in this last year and the younger generation outnumber five and six-year-olds this time. HAREFIELD didn’t do a lot wrong behind Air Navigator on his debut at Exeter and can go one better with normal progress ahead of the penalised pair Larry and Midnight Shadow. Jockey bookings suggest Ginge de Sophia is preferred to stablemate The Hollow Ginge while Chez Castel Mail is entitled to be thereabouts again.