Renowned Horse Racing Tipster and Journalist Ed Quigley, aka ‘Longshot Ted’ offers up his best bets for Saturday”s TV action, and picks out some of the other horses who have made him sit up and take note, on what should be a cracking weekend of sport.

Saturday Advice:

• Samuel Spade, Stratford 2.17, win – BetVictor
• Isla Kai, Doncaster 2.25, e/w – BetUK
• Fast Response, Doncaster 3.00, e/w  – BetUK
• Lord Of Kerak, Uttoxeter 3.55, win  – BetVictor
• Alkopop, Uttoxeter 4.30, win – William Hill

Sunday advice:

The flat is back! Well that’s the old cliche anyway (it has never really gone away) and a lot of eyes will be on Town Moor as the action on the level returns to Doncaster. As you would expect, competitive action, big fields but with the potential for some very testing ground which adds a different spanner in the punting works. I am happy to sit out the Brocklesby, and in the following race (2.25) I would give each-way claims to the top-weight ISLA KAI in the Spring Mile Handicap.

The 5-year-old hasn’t won for nearly two years, but has run some smart races in defeat during that time. He has eased a few pounds down the weights since his peak and off a mark of 92 he is more than capable of getting involved. Form figures over C&D read 114, and he has plenty of winning form on Soft ground, so he looks a solid each-way player here. 

The Cammidge Trophy (3.00) looks a hot renewal, with the ability to handle underfoot conditions perhaps being the key factor here. FAST RESPONSE has an unblemished record of two from two on Town Moor (including one win over C&D). Crucially though, the Karl Burke trained filly appeared to really go through the gears when the rain arrived last Autumn, as she progressed from an 85-rated Handicapper into a Listed winner on deep ground. She has 4 wins on her CV on Soft/Heavy ground, with the last win coming in the aforementioned Listed success at this venue when the mud was flying. If she is fully revved up on her first start of the year she can be a major player in this assignment. Sam James takes the ride.

The Lincoln is the big betting heat, but I am finding it too tricky to nail my colours to the mast so I am happy to sit that one out it what is a bit of an equine conundrum. 

Switching codes to Uttoxeter, and with the likelihood of very deep ground for the horses to cope with, it will be a proper war of attrition. LORD OF KERAK 3.55 is an unexposed chaser who improved upon his chase debut to finish runner up at Wetherby on Soft ground last time out. He jumped and travelled well in that 3m contest until a mistake two from home ultimately ruined his chances. His only win over Hurdles came at this trip on testing ground, so I think the drop back in trip could be to his benefit.

Olly Murphy has hit an absolute purple patch at the moment, and with his string in rude health Lord Of Kerak should take some beating with Sean Bowen on board.

We have 3m Handicap Chase action next on the card (4.30) and I am giving another chance to the Toby Lawes trained ALKOPOP who returns to fences. He ‘cannot have the ground deep enough’ according to his handler, and so he will have no issues with underfoot conditions here today. You have to accept that he isn’t the most fluent of jumpers, but with a clear round he will be a threat to all comers. He is only 3lb higher than his last winning mark, and with conditions very much in his favour, he can strike once again. 

Elsewhere, I like the look of SAMUEL SPADE who represents the Ben Pauling team – a yard who have had an excellent season, and dropping into much calmer waters, he can make his presence felt at Stratford (2.17). He has won twice over Hurdles so far this season, and was runner up in the Chatteris Fen when trying to concede weight.

His jumping went to pieces when upped in class In the big field scenario of the Boodles Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last time out, but this less frenetic scenario should play to his strengths, and It wouldn’t be a shock if he were to bounce back. Kielan Woods is back in the saddle and the duo have to be respected.  

I am looking forward to Ascot’s card on Sunday, and there is another Ben Pauling horse who ran in the Boodles who I will give another chance to, and that is BAD (3.00).

The French recruit shaped well for a long way on his yard debut at the Cheltenham Festival, despite being keen and racing wide in the early stages, he was still pitching in amongst them at the business end of proceedings. He has been eased 2lb on the back of that, and a return to a flatter, right-handed track on testing ground should help him based on the evidence we saw in France. He will carry my each-way money in what looks a cracking little contest

Don’t forget Ed will be back on Monday with his Weekend Review, discussing all the key talking points and fall-out from the major races.

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