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An excellent week ending Saturday 14th February with five winning days out of six, along with successful naps at 8/1, 3/1, and 4/6. The three losing naps all pulled-up for one reason or another, the most disappointing being that of Myretown in Haydock’s Grand National Trial on Saturday.
The Russell/Scudamore-trained gelding weakened so quickly when headed that connections must be scratching their heads regarding last year’s impressive Ultima winner.
To rub salt into the wound, Grand Geste, our nap when pulled-up in last month’s Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, showed his true form at the Merseyside racecourse with a comfortable victory.
- P/L for the week ending Sunday, 15 February: +£19.92
- P/L for the year 2026 to date: +£40.13
- P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
- P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
- P/L since 1st September 2022: +£540.79
Alan Kelly's Tips - Thursday, 19 February
Heavy ground is forecast for Huntingdon’s jumps card on Thursday, the possibility of snow and with parts of the course waterlogged could cause problems at the Cambridgeshire track.
Conditions are better at Sedgefield in County Durham, soft ground currently the case on what is likely to be a cloudy day.
2:33pm Sedgefield - Forged Well
Several of the 7 contenders for this Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier are returning to hurdles following a spell over the bigger obstacles, including James Owen’s top weight Ivane, a winner over hurdles at Fontwell back in October before following up over 3m 5f over fences on this course later that month.
Today’s soft conditions may not be ideal for the mount of 7lb amateur Sam Lee, who has been partnered in the past by the likes of Stan Sheppard, Sean Bowen and Sam Twiston-Davies. Of more interest is the seven-year-old Dwight K Shurute, the only runner on the card for the in-form trainer/jockey combination of Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan.
A Fontwell maiden hurdle winner 11 months ago, the gelding wasn’t beaten far in third place at Warwick on his most recent start last month and could be suited by today's step-up in trip. However, the vote goes to another horse who has been chasing lately, FORGED WELL from the Martin Todhunter stable.
An easy winner over fences at Musselburgh just before Christmas, Ryan Mania’s mount was a well-backed 7/2 chance for the Edinburgh National earlier this month, only to unseat 5lb claimer Charlie Maggs at the third fence. 7lb lower of hurdles compared to a chase mark of 117, Forged Well should appreciate this stamina test on soft ground and is fancied to go close for a stable just starting to hit a bit of form.
Recommendation: Forged Well - 7/2 with bet365
4:01pm Huntingdon - After Many Days
On her first start for trainer Olly Murphy since leaving the Laura Morgan stable last month, Irish point-to-point winning mare Natus Vincere was sent off favourite to make a winning debut for Murphy in a ‘Hands & Heels’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Leicester last month, only to finish a well-beaten 5th of the 11 runners over 27 lengths behind runner-up AFTER MANY DAYS, who reopposes on only 2lb worse terms this afternoon.
The latter looked to have that race sewn up when jumping the final flight of hurdles with a three length lead, only to be caught close home by Fergal O’Brien’s Queen Of Steel. The daughter of Getaway may be more at home over today’s furlong shorter trip (runner-up over an extended 2m 3f at Hereford in October) and has the assistance of Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle on this occasion.
Trainer Henry Daly has had two winners from his last 7 runners and his After Many Days has her best chance yet of opening her account over hurdles at the 15th attempt. If she handles today’s heavy going, Sue Gardner’s Prairie Queen is the other one to consider, although her best form to date has come on good ground.
Recommendation: After Many Days - 2/1 with bet365
4:17pm Sedgefield - Mersey Street (Nap)
The Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained MERSEY STREET (Nap) did us a favour when winning on this course two weeks ago, the one concern regarding the son of Califet being the distance of just over 2m 3f at the County Durham racecourse. After setting out to make all of the running, the mount of Jonjo O’Neill Jr was strongly pressed by Mark Walford’s Huit Reflets approaching the final fence, only for the eight-year-old to assert his authority on the run to the line.
There is little doubt that Mersey Street’s greater stamina was the deciding factor at the end of that Class 5 handicap, the gelding’s one victory over hurdles coming over a distance of just short of three miles. A rise of 6lb looks more than fair regarding that first win over the bigger obstacles, and with today’s longer trip guaranteed to suit, the selection looks the one to beat, granted a trouble-free round.
Jessica Bedi’s Uncle Al races off a mark only 1lb higher than when winning over course and distance in December but has been well beaten on his last two starts. Jackie Stephen’s Too Cool Forshrule was sent off favourite for the race won by Mersey Street, only to unseat 5lb claimer Jushue Thompson at the very first fence.
Now 6lb better off with Mersey Street, and with jockey Brian Hughes taking over in the saddle, the seven-year-old is the main danger to the Jackdaws Castle runner.
Recommendation: Mersey Street (Nap) - 2/1 with bet365
2:43pm Newcastle (Eider Chase, Saturday) - Anglers Crag
The passing of 1969 Grand National winning jockey Eddie Harty last week reminded me of the Eider Chase of that year. Still in short trousers, after watching the victory of the Toby Balding-trained Highland Wedding (with Bob Champion in the saddle) in Newcastle's extreme stamina test, I was convinced I had just seen the next winner of the world's most famous steeplechase on that February afternoon.
After telling everyone who would listen, and even those who wouldn’t, it remains to say that I was the most popular boy in school the following Monday after the 12-year-old had romped home by 12 lengths on ground officially described as firm (I know, hard to believe now). Anyway, fast forward a minor 57 years later and the important matter of this year’s renewal at the north-east racecourse on Saturday.
While it is highly unlikely that this year’s Virgin Bet-sponsored extended 4m 1f marathon will have any bearing on the outcome of the great race in less than two months time, I am keen on a repeat victory for 2024 winner ANGLERS CRAG, now in the care of Nicky Richards after leaving trainer Brian Ellison last November.
After totally losing his form on his last six starts for Ellison, it was thought a change of scenery may rejuvenate the 11-year-old, who made his debut for Richards in an extended 3m handicap at Carlisle later that month. With jockey Danny McMenamin setting out to make the running, his mount never looked in any danger of defeat, eventually cruising home by 9 lengths from his 7 rivals.
Straight after the race, the Eider Chase popped into my mind, thoughts which were echoed by Richards in a post-race interview. Not seen since that win of almost three months ago, connections are clearly keen on retaining the gelding’s current handicap mark of 130, only 4lb higher than when previously successful.
Saturday’s forecast heavy ground will hold no fears for the son of Multiplex, who is fancied to give his trainer a second victory in the race following that of Baywing in 2018.
Recommendation: Anglers Crag - 8/1 with Coral
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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About Alan Kelly
A passionate follower of horse racing for over 50 years, Alan has enjoyed a 40-year career in the betting industry, 28 of which he spent running his betting shop as an owner/manager.
A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Freebets.com in 2008.
You can follow Alan Kelly on Twitter for more racing insight.
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