We take a look at this week's racing.(credit:
James from SoGlos.com)
Most of the main Cheltenham trials have been completed but there are plenty of opportunities to fill your coffers ahead of the Festival. We preview the racing action on offer over the next seven days
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Sunday February 28
Leopardstown
3:15 Carrickminds Handicap Chase
Two-miles-and-five-furlongs is the distance for this highly competitive Grade B Handicap. It looks like there will be a large field going to post and amongst a number of interesting candidates is the progressive nine-year-old Mick The Man who was so impressive in winning at Down Royal last time out.
3:50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase
There looks like being a small field for this Novice Chase, but it should be a keenly fought contest and features some talented youngsters, most notably the Willie Mullins horse Citizen Vic who made all to beat Weapons' Amnesty in a Grade One at Leopardstown on his last appearance.
4:20 Newlands Chase
Another Grade Two, this time over two miles and a small field has assembled, including a familiar cast of horses such as Mansony, Aran Concerto and Made In Taipan. Tranquil Sea is likely to start favourite for his final run before the Ryanair Chase, for which is currently priced at 7.4.
Fontwell
2:30 totesport.com Supporting Racehorse Sanctuary Novices' Chase
Just the four entrants for this two-mile-and-six furong Class Two event, with the pick of them probably Take The Breeze, looking to get back to winning ways ahead of a tilt at the Jewson Novices's Chase at Cheltenham.
3:00 Certain Justice Challenge Cup
A small field go to post for this Class Two handicap chase over two and a half miles, but it is a fairly open contest and the key could be to find the most progressive type in a field of rather exposed handicappers.
3:35 totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle
The National Spirit Hurdle has attracted some decent entrants, including Afsoun and the hard working mare Treaty Flyer, but it is the ever-popular David Pipe inmate Lough Derg that is sure to attract plenty of support in the market.
Friday March 5
Doncaster
3:45 Sportingbet.com Novices Chase
A two-mile-and-three-furlong contest that is likely to prove a tricky one for punters to solve as it could feature a number of progressive or unexposed types, such as Leo's Lucky Star from the David Pipe stable and Summery Justice for Venetia Williams.
Saturday March 6
Newbury
2:35 Bluesquare Supporting Greatwood Veterans Handicap Chase
These veterans races are proving to be very popular and for the punter, there is always plenty of form to peruse, indeed most of the horses will be open books. This Class Two event is run over three miles and two furlongs around this galloping Berkshire course
3:20 Raymond Mould Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup
A typically competitive Saturday handicap with the big prize likely to have attracted some decent animals, despite the proximity to the Cheltenham Festival. Betting will be lively for this Grade Three handicap run over two and a half miles.
Kelso
4:10 totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle
Though this Grade Two for novices can vary in terms of quality, it invariably attracts a decent field and is a competitive betting heat, with some of these having a final tune up before the Festival.
Doncaster
2:20 sportingbet.com Handicap Hurdle
A good honest Saturday betting event, this Class Two contest is likely to attract a large field of closely matched handicappers. Stamina will be the key thing to look for though as the three miles and half a furlong will suit only those hurdlers with plenty of endurance.
3:25 sportingbet.com Grimthorpe Chase
Run over three miles and two furlongs, the Grimthorpe is considered to be a useful Grand National trial, so as well as trying to find the winner amongst the field of redoubtable stayers assembled for this one, you should be on the look out for Aintree clues.
4:00 DBS Spring Sales Bumper
Bumpers can be the trickiest of betting events, but this is one of the better contests around. Run over two-miles-and-half-a-furlong, this Class Two event has attracted some high class entries from a number of the top jumps stables.