Six key horses to look out for on Racing TV on Saturday

Not long now! With just over four weeks until the Cheltenham Festival, Saturday’s action across Naas, Newbury and Warwick, all live on Racing TV, is sure to provide clues for the four-day bonanza at Prestbury Park.

With the likes of legitimate Cheltenham Festival contenders Bravemansgame, Edwardstone, Third Time Lucki, Sceau Royal and Journey With Me all in action, this promises to be a cracking weekend of action.

I have picked out six horses to follow across the three meetings. Best of luck.

Race: 1.40pm Naas (Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle)

Pulled out of Grade One company at the Dublin Racing Festival, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Journey With Me has his sights lowered in this contest at Naas in which he will bid to cement his credentials for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

A general 4-1 favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, the €22,000 purchase is unbeaten in two runs under rules and impressed on hurdling debut at Leopardstown in December.

The form of that race has worked out well, with Kilcruit (third) and Falcon Eight (fifth) both winning since. Throw in the fact that the second, Minella Crooner, has since finished second to Minella Cocooner in Grade One company and that form looks very strong.

However, this will be no easy task with Hi Ho Phoenix and O’Toole both interesting opponents. The latter is rated by Stuart Crawford as one of the best horses he has ever trained, and this looks a race well worth nothing with the future in mind.

Race: 1.50pm Newbury (Daily Rewards With Betfair Handicap Hurdle)

A tricky puzzle with a case to be made for most of the field. However, Polish looks a fascinating runner for Paddy Brennan & Fergal O’Brien.

The seven-year-old won this race 12 months ago and whilst he has failed to fire in three subsequent runs over timber, he has dropped back down to the same mark of 130 which he won this event off in 2021.

Quicker ground is also not a concern, and he is taken to return to winning ways.

Race: 2.05pm Warwick (G2 Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase)

Just the four runners, but this is a cracking race between serious Cheltenham Festival contenders.

For Pleasure looks to have the most to find on form, and ratings, but Brave Seasca, Third Time Lucki and Edwardstone promise to serve up a treat.

Brave Seasca is respected given his impressive win over course and distance last time out and is progressing at a rate of knots, whilst he also gets 5lb from his main rivals.

Third Time Lucki did too much too soon when third to Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase and he enjoyed a confidence boosting win at Doncaster last month. This track should play to his liking, but there are concerns he could get involved in a match with For Pleasure up front.

With that in mind, Edwardstone looks solid. Interestingly, he was brought down at Warwick on his chasing debut but has not looked back since.

He backed up his Henry VIII Novices’ Chase win with success in the Wayward Lad at Kempton and he can cement his position as Britain’s leading Arkle contender with victory here.

Race: 3.35pm Newbury (Betfair Hurdle)

Just the 14 runners, but this is a Betfair Hurdle field with a distinct focus on quality, rather than quantity. With the likes of last year’s winner Soaring Glory and unexposed novices Broomfield Burg, Knappers Hill and I Like To Move It amongst the runners, cases can be made for most of the contenders.

However, the one who appeals most is Jpr One. This has been the plan for Colin Tizzard’s charge all season and he could be thrown in off a mark of 130. An easy winner at Taunton last time out, he remains thoroughly unexposed after just three runs and will be suited by the quicker ground at Newbury.

Race: 3.50pm Warwick (Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle)

Colonel Manderson is undoubtedly a leading player having scored in good style at Southwell last month. Up 7lb for that win, there could easily be more to come off a mark of 110, but In Rem is a battle-hardened rival who is taken to come out on top.

Unbeaten in four starts this year, he runs off a 33lb higher mark than when scoring at Ffos Las in October, but there has been lots to like in that quartet of victories.

He showed a fine attitude to score over course and distance at Warwick in December and with Chester Williams taking a handy 3lb off, he is taken to land this event.

Race: 4.45pm Newbury (Listed Best Odds on the Betfair Exchange)

This is a brilliant contest full of an array of exciting prospects, and debut winners Hullnback, Filanderer plus three-time scorer Timeforatune are all fascinating contenders.

However, Authorised Speed looks a hugely exciting prospect for Gary Moore. A €155,000 purchase, the son of Authorized finished second on his first two starts, including in Listed company at Ascot in December.

Moore’s charge deservedly got off the mark over course and distance last month when powering to a ten-length success. He still looked green on that occasion and his experience at Newbury could prove a strength in this event.

Held in high regard by his Sussex trainer, he should go very close in the finale.