Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips: three best bets
By Dave Nevison
Last Updated: Thu 29 Jan 2026
Dave Nevison likes the chances of a couple of contenders running at Catterick on Friday, live on Racing TV, plus is expecting a course specialist to strike again at Southwell. For more top tips, click here.
2.10 Catterick: Abbey Scope
After winning a bumper on his debut, Abbey Scope made a promising start over hurdles when third in a novice event at Market Rasen.
The Nicky Richards-trained gelding hasn’t progressed in two subsequent outings over hurdles, largely on account of some poor jumping.
However, that could easily change now that he runs in his first handicap off an attractive rating based on the promise he showed on those first two outings.
The selection also steps back up in trip here, which looks set to suit him well, and will that will hopefully help his jumping.
I am confident he will have been schooled frequently ahead of what is his handicap debut, and we might see a much-improved performance now.
3.03 Southwell: Down To The Kid
Down To The Kid is a real Southwell specialist, and has won eight times at the track.
He is also on a roll at Southwell having won his past two starts, both over course and distance, plus finished a close second here on his return to action over a mile.
The seven-year-old seems to be finding even more improvement since dropping down to seven furlongs, and he is running off bottom weight, despite the penalty, in a 0-95 contest, the highest grade he has contested
Given the manner of his recent victories, I still think he can complete a hat-trick in this competitive event, despite the rise in grade.
3.48 Catterick: Colonial Empire
Colonial Empire’s latest win came off a rating of 108, and he had dropped considerably in the weights before finishing a close second at Taunton last time out. That was his first run for six months, and he has been given plenty of time to get over that.
He makes the long journey from Wales to Catterick on Friday, and could go one better this time. Edward Vaughan got a good tune out of him last time out, and is on board again, and the young jockey, who rode a winner I tipped up at Chepstow last week, is doing well.
The softer ground could well help Vaughan's mount here, too.
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