ITV Racing Preview - 23/03/2019

The first horse to kick off the day at Kelso comes in the Class 3 Mares Novice Chase over 2 miles 5 1/2 furlongs and we have gone for the Nicky Richards trained My Old Gold.

This nine year old mare has been in sparkling form this year taking her form line to the next level especially in her last two runs.

Two starts ago she got off the mark for the season in good style at Wetherby beating some decent horses in a Class 3 and last time out finished second behind a horse that looks to be a real improver.

Warren Greatrex has plenty to look forward to with the upcoming Spring meetings, and kickstart a new season in the Newbury opener - the Insure With Be Wiser Handicap, where Rock My Style can run out a ready winner.

After a long absence, this now 7yo gelding won a couple of weak races over the winter twelve months ago before heading for an early summer holiday.

That got his head back in the game and arose his confident levels, but it all fell to pieces on his first start of this campaign, when unshipping Jack Kennedy at Newcastle.

Recovered to finish second at Uttoxeter two weeks before Cheltenham, holds plenty of ability and can kick on here.

The second race of the day see's the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and in this contest we have gone for the Harry fry trained Winston C.

This five year old since coming over from the flat to hurdles has been a breath of fresh air and in his three races finished third on his debut and has won his last two, to go and seek a hat-trick today.

He makes his handicap debut today off quite a high mark but from the way he has been running so far this season he can defy that and good to soft ground will suit.

Next up at Newbury is the Be Wiser Insurance Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, where Friend Or Foe can build on his first start for Paul Nicholls.

A winner at Taunton on stable debut back in December, he made all under Harry Cobden to land the spoils in a Class Four.

Now steps up to Class Two and his level may be even higher than this.

Potentially more to come from this former Emmanuel Clayeux-trained gelding from France - he could have a touch of class about him.

We have two runners in this contest that see's the Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Chase over 3 miles 2 furlongs and in this Class 2 Handicap we have gone for Blue Flight and Ron's Dream.

Blue Flight for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies looks to have the best form coming into this race winning the last three in good style and landing the hat-trick last time in a Listed event at Kelso seeing off the popular Black Corton.

The each way money from us goes with Ron's Dream for trainer Peter Bowen. This nine year old mare fell last time out which can be seen as a blip but before that finished a strong fourth in the Welsh Grand National and off that form is a real contender.

The big race of the day is the EBF & TBA Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Series Final - a Grade 2 Limited Handicap over two-and-a-half miles, and we have selected both Millarville and Outofthisworld at useful prices.

Millarville is a lightly raced mare for Oliver Sherwood, and has only raced for the Grand National winning trainer three times.

She won a point-to-point twelve months ago, indicating stamina is one of her finest qualities, and will look to make re-successful step up to beyond two miles - for which she won on her second start at Fontwell.

Outofthisworld has proved a little frustrating for Harry Fry, with as many letters as numbers in the last twelve months.

When he has completed, she has been well and truly in the frame - a win at Market Rasen and a second at Fontwell.Pulled up due to mistakes at Ludlow last time, and will look to correct it here.

Next up is the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles 1 1/2 furlongs and in this competitive contest we have gone for the Gillian Boanas trained Teecomponents Lad.

This six year old gelding looks to have a great chance on Saturday at a decent price after being consistent on the majority of his starts this season.

He has won two of his last three runs and last time out won a nice Class 3 at Carlisle with the form line working out from that run.