Matt Brocklebank tipped a 25/1 winner at Lingfield on Friday - check out the latest Saturday selections from Andrew Asquith.
Saturday selections
JET TO VEGAS – 14:55 Kelso (NAP)
A typically competitive renewal of the Morebattle, but I think JET TO VEGAS looks very interesting back over hurdles on what will be his handicap debut in this sphere.
He was a very good winner of the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle on this card 12 months ago, and one of the standout aspects of that performance was his fast, slick jumping.
Jet To Vegas also travelled round here with plenty of enthusiasm in ground which won’t be too dissimilar and, though it hasn’t quite worked out for him over fences this season, he’s hardly been disgraced on the figures.
All of those runs came when the Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore yard were under a bit of a cloud, too, but there have been much better signs from the stable this month, which is encouraging.
Jet To Vegas is also fresh off another breathing operation and a strongly-run race over two miles at this track should be perfect for this strong-travelling type, and a mark of 135 more than likely underestimates him in my view.
COOLANNA – 13:25 Doncaster
It’s a good renewal of this listed event for mares, with several open to improvement now trying three miles for the first time, but perhaps none more so than COOLANNA.
She finished runner-up in both of her starts in points, but has won both of her starts under Rules in good fashion, building on her debut impression when beating another progressive mare and main market rival at Wincanton last month.
Coolanna shaped like a dour stayer on that occasion, off the bridle earliest of the first four home, but finding plenty in what wasn’t a strongly-run race to assert on the run-in.
This will be the fastest ground she’s encountered, but there should be a decent pace on, with several who like to go forward, and the galloping nature of this track, along with its long straight will give her plenty of time to hit top gear and she looks very interesting moving up in trip.
BRAVE KINGDOM – 15:15 Newbury
BRAVE KINGDOM once looked like developing into a smart chaser a few years ago, winning a novices’ handicap chase at this course in good style from a mark of 133, and then starting second favourite for the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase next time.
However, he was clearly not right that day, pulled up before three out, and he’s only been seen on the track four times since, failing to finish on another two occasions, also.
He’s clearly had his problems, but he took a big step back in the right direction when runner-up at Taunton earlier this month, strong in the betting and giving it a right good go from the front, keeping the winner honest once headed at the last.
The handicapper has left him on the same mark, and Brave Kingdom now contests a veterans’ chase for the first time. He has a good record at this track and, if he builds on that, he should be very competitive.
KING’S HAND – 17:05 Lingfield
KING’S HAND has an attractive pedigree – out of a useful mare who is a half-sister to very smart Integral – but she was brought along in typical fashion as a two-year-old by Sir Mark Prescott before showing improved form in handicaps upped to middle distances at three.
It perhaps too her longer than expected to open her account, but she shaped well in defeat numerous times before opening her account over this course and distance last month, a race winning move by his rider proving the difference, coming from last to first with a sweeping move from three furlongs out.
King’s Hand was purchased by Joesph Parr soon after for 32,000 guineas and he looks interesting having been raised just 4lb in the weights, likely to have even more to offer given his pedigree and profile, while the booking of Billy Loughnane looks a sign of intent, too.
VELVET RED – 20:00 Southwell
VELVET RED cost €185,000 as a yearling and, though she was well held in three starts last season at up to a mile, she proved a totally different proposition on her return from five months off when opening her account on handicap debut over this course and distance four weeks ago.
She was clearly well suited by the significantly longer trip, pushed along on the home turn, but she rattled home in the straight, getting on top inside the final furlong and well on top at the line.
There was no great pace to that race, so to win in the manner she did is even more encouraging, and the fact she was unwanted in the market suggests there could be plenty more to come. Charlie Clover, who is a trainer to keep an eye on this season, has saddled three winners from his last five runners, and Velvet Red can improve further to defy a 5lb rise.
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- Blue Carpet 5/1
- I Am Me 2/1
- Delgany Deadline 3/1 (NAP)
- Kool Kid 9/4
- La Luna Artista 15/2 (NAP)
- Bank On Frank 2/1 (NAP)
- Forglen 5/2
- Pretending 10/1 (NAP)
- Flowstate 100/30
- Milcree 85/40 (NAP)
- Borgi 8/1 (NAP)
- Kel Du Large 3/1
- Wicksey 11/8
- Alondra 8/1
- Himself 5/4
- Maria Da Silva 7/4
- Ballin Boy 9/2
- Harbour Vision 6/1
- La Higuera 5/2 (NAP)
- Lord Capulet 6/4
- Made U Blush 11/2 (NAP)
- Eupator 11/8
- Kazar Forez 5/6
- Newton Tornado 9/2
- Ladronne 6/4
- Bel Ombre 85/40
- Morrophore 6/5
- Lewisham Grove 9/4
- Maximising 15/2
- Big Zouk 11/8 (NAP)
- Silver Thorn 3/1
- Merrimack 13/8 (NAP)
- My Champion 11/4
- Fasol 4/1
- Nebras 7/2
- Mapledurham 5/2
- Soldierofthestorm 9/4
- Lake Como 11/10
- Ballymackie 5/6 (NAP)
- Kruger Park 3/1
- Indeevar Blue 9/2
- Kitzbuhel 13/8
- Gazette Bourgeoise 7/2
- Supreme Malinas 7/2
- Heart Over Head 4/1
- Saint Cyr De Pail 7/2
- Westcombe 7/4
- Intervention 7/2
- One Big Bang 8/11
- Zryan 4/1
- David's Well 6/4 (NAP)
- Atreides 5/4
- Salver 6/4 (NAP)
- Castanea Breeze 3/1
- Ribble Vibe 6/4
- Medieval Gold 6/5
- Fierce Warrior 11/10
- Mambonumberfive 5/2 (NAP)
- Bibendum 85/40
- Seasmoke 10/3
- Teardrops 2/1
- Secret Vino 11/2
- Blenkinsop 7/4 (NAP)
- Roaring Conquest 6/4
- Molto Bene 7/4
- Nocte Volatus 11/4
- Sparkling Duke 9/2
- Chuggy 11/10
- Germanic 3/1
- Special John evens
- Fat Harry 5/4 (NAP)
- Formel Park 3/1 (NAP)
- Sixmilebridge 6/4 (NAP)
- On The Go 2/1 (NAP)
- Ikarak 13/8
- Clearpoint 3/1
- Bahadur 2/1 (NAP)
- L'Empire Vert 3/1 (NAP)
- Without Compromise 2/1
- Solarize 3/1
- Hartington 7/1
- Bloodsweatandtyres 9/2
- Pep Talking 13/2
- Tigers Moon 8/11
- Sea Poetry 2/1
- Fine Interview 7/2
- American Flight 7/1 (NAP)
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