Trainer Ruth Jefferson is one of the many northern trainers supporting Kelso’s big fixture tomorrow, when the Scottish course hosts day two of the Racing Post Go North weekend.
Last year her talented mare, Lavida Adiva won the Ladbrokes-sponsored Mares’ Hurdle at the meeting. Since then, that horse has gone on to greater things, finishing second earlier this month in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Tomorrow Jefferson runs her eight-year-old gelding CAPTAIN BUTLER in the BetWright Handicap Hurdle (1.30 p.m.) and, although this horse will never be in the class of Lavida Adiva, he is no back number.
He was a close fifth to Brentford Hope at Haydock last time out, beaten under five lengths when outpaced from two furlongs out. Today’s much longer trip and the 2 lbs drop in his ratings to a mark of 118 are in his favour in a highly competitive 16-runner race.
Captain Butler, who is lightly raced, would probably prefer the ground to be softer but he has winning Kelso form and also winning form on good ground from a race at Newcastle three years ago. Back him 1 point each way at 10-1 with bet365 or Paddy Power, both paying five places.
The form of CECILIA STAR’s win at Newbury last month is hardly exceptional. She scraped home by a neck from a modest field in a modest time. However, Lucy Wadham’s four-year-old filly jumped impeccably and, in fact, won a little cosily, idling in front before finding plenty when challenged close home.
Wadham excels with horses of the fairer sex and Cecilia Star can step up again tomorrow when contesting the Castle Windows Newbury Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle (Newbury, 1.15 p.m.) against both geldings and older horses.
Returning to the same course and distance of her recent win, back Cecilia Star 1 point each way at 7-1 with Sky Bet, Paddy Power or Betfair fixed odds, all paying three places.
The less said about Cheltenham last week, the better from a tipping point of view and, after bombing at the Festival, my long-term fancy Resplendent Grey has been taken out of the Randox Grand National by connections.
It is rare for me to put up a favourite in any race or a Willie Mullins horse either, the latter only on the basis that you rarely get value backing his runners. However, I do think the Mullins-trained GRANGECLARE WEST is good value at 10-1 for the Grand National at Aintree on April 11.
A close third in the race last year after making a blunder at the last fence, this ten-year-old gelding is better than ever this season and I like the fact he goes so well on all ground conditions.
Last month Grangeclare West won the Grade 3 BAR 1 Betting Bobbyjo Chase which has proved to be a good guide to the National in recent years. The horse he beat that day, Gerri Colombe, has since franked the form by coming out again and winning at Down Royal.
Paul Townend, Mullins’ brilliant stable jockey, will have pick of the yard’s rides at Aintree and he may well stay loyal to I Am Maximus, second and first in the past two Aintree Nationals.
However, if Brian Hayes rides Grangeclare West, as he did at Aintree last season, he is a capable stand-in. Back the horse 2 points win at 10-1 with William Hill, already offering Non Runner No Bet (NRNB). There will be more places offered on the day, hence win only, but I doubt that this horse will go off a double figure price come April 11.
Pending:
1 point each way Cecilia Star at 7-1 in the Castle Windows Newbury Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Captain Butler at 10-1 for the BetWright Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
2 points win Grangeclare West at 10-1 NRNB for the Grand National.
Last Friday (and Grand National NR) – 9.8 points
1 point each way Minella Study at 6-1 BOG for the Triumph Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. 3rd. + 0.2 points.
1 point each way Secret Squirrel at 11-1 BOG or the County Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Telepathique at 50-1 BOG for the Mares’ Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way King’s Bucks at 28-1 BOG or the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Haiti Couleurs at 14-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Helnwein at 33-1 NRNB for the County Hurdle, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. Non Runner (balloted out). Stake returned.
1 point each way Resplendent Grey at 50-1 for the Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. Non runner. – 2 points.
2025-26 jumps season: running total – 29.785 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for six full seasons of tipping: + 126 points
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