Plenty of relief will no doubt be felt in certain quarters after Constitution Hill was ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival this week. His success at Southwell on Friday night gave trainer Nicky Henderson a glimpse of a viable second act away from hurdles.
Attention turns to a busy Saturday with international action on the flat and domestic action over jumps. Doncaster stages the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase over three miles two furlongs, a race that regularly attracts hardy stayers with spring targets in mind.
Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle over two miles brings its usual competitive edge, while Newbury’s Greatwood Gold Cup adds depth to the afternoon’s chasing action.
Navan also features on the domestic card, and the international programme offers plenty of interest. Meydan hosts the Al Maktoum Classic on dirt, an important stepping stone in Dubai’s spring campaign, while Flemington stages the Australian Guineas, a Group 1 mile contest for three-year-olds.
Sunday centres on Sha Tin and the Hong Kong Gold Cup over a mile and a quarter, one of the region’s leading middle-distance prizes. Over jumps, Ffos Las and Huntingdon keep things ticking along, before the week settles into a steady rhythm with Leopardstown and Southwell on Monday, Market Rasen and Newcastle on Tuesday, and Catterick, Naas and the all-weather fixtures at Southwell and Kempton on Wednesday.
Not a week built around one dominant headline, but there is depth across the programme if you look closely.
Big races this week
Grimthorpe Handicap Chase: 2:30 Doncaster, 28 Feb (iTV)
Morebattle Hurdle: 2:55 Kelso, 28 Feb (iTV)
Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase: 3:45 Newbury, 28 Feb (iTV)
Al Maktoum Classic: 4:35 Meydan, 28 Feb (RT)
Australian Guineas: 5:20 Flemington, 28 Feb
Hong Kong Gold Cup: 7:35 Sha Tin, 1 Mar (SKY)
Race Notes
2:30 Grimthorpe Chase 28 Feb, Doncaster
King’s Threshold (6/1) is a worthy market leader after his Newbury win in late December. Dartmoor Pirate (15/2) also looks well suited, having scored at Doncaster last time out. New Order (9/1) appeals each-way as a progressive stayer with Sam Twiston-Davies booked. Some Scope (9/1) is the value alternative, already a course winner, and the extra distance promises further improvement at attractive place odds.
Weekend Nap
DEDICATED HERO (10/1) – 2.55 Kelso (Morebattle Hurdle):
Dedicated Hero’s recent figures really don’t do him justice. Last time out he was badly hampered when the horse in front of him fell, leaving him nowhere to go.
Go back to his previous start and you get a much truer picture of his ability: he finished second in a novices’ chase at Ayr, having travelled in fourth, made smooth headway before four out, been short of room approaching the last and stayed on strongly into the runner‑up spot.
Back over hurdles at a track he knows well, he looks a very plausible Morebattle candidate if he finally gets a clear run at things.
Antepost Watch
Constitution Hill swerving the Champion Hurdle has blown the ante‑post market wide open and turned what looked like a non‑event into a proper betting heat again.
The New Lion now shades favouritism at around 2/1, with Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead clustered just behind in that 11/4, while last year’s heroine Golden Ace (6/1) has been pulled into single figures having once been available at much bigger prices.
Racing Syndicates
Pompey Ventures is a small UK racehorse syndicate focused on real share ownership, direct contact with the team, and a friendly social feel.
It is run by a young, hands-on group who are visible on race days and active in owner chats, helping owners feel involved.
Pompey Ventures have taken a clear step into new territory by sending their latest recruit Kingmaker to Willie Mullins. The move signals the syndicate’s first full push into jumps racing and reflects a growing ambition behind the operation.
If you want to know more about Pompey Ventures, click here.
Betting Offers
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Racing News
Here are a few racing updates that caught the eye this week.
Racing Legends
Every so often, racing falls in love with an idea rather than a horse. Zarkash was one of those ideas.
On paper he was as close as you get to a sure thing: a bay colt by Sea The Stars, out of Zarkava, the undefeated Arc winner the Aga Khan called the peak of his family’s breeding. He was priced at 50/1 for the Epsom Derby before he had so much as a foal photo in the Racing Post, and he never made it to a racecourse.
Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next week.
Regards
The Newsletter Team
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