Horse Racing Tips: Tanya Stevenson's Selections For Saturday

Tanya Stevenson's Selections For Saturday

• The Panel Selection 1: 13:15 Kempton - Punctuation (Nap) - Win
• The Panel Selection 2: 14:10 Newcastle - History Of Fashion - Each-Way
• The Panel Selection 3: 15:35 Kempton - Charlie Uberalles - Each-Way

Watching the weather will be required for both Kempton and Newcastle on Saturday. In fairness, the ground could probably do with a bit of rain as it has been described as good all week. 

Nicky Henderson may not have rolled out the superstars such as Lulamba, Palladium and Jinkgo Blue, but he has quite a few chances all the same.  

Earlier in the week, Seven Barrows hosted a Festival media day to which Constitution Hill and stablemates must have thought it was wonderful as there was bucket loads of carrots. 

The racing press hunched and crowded around captivated by every single word of insight Nicky gave about his plethora of equine stars.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 1: Kempton 13:15 - Punctuation (Nap)

Though I didn’t learn of a murmur for Punctuation. He hasn’t been a neighbour of Constitution Hill and Jonbon for that long, in fact this is his fourth trainer. 

He moved from Fergal O’Brien to Nicky back in October and he hasn’t been seen since May, when his last run was on the flat at Goodwood.  

Over two miles there, he did well to cope with the intricacies and undulations of that track, and under hands and heels, kept going with ears pricked to beat Havaila. 

Punctuation is a big, big unit and you won't miss him with his big white blaze. For his size, he did well to finish so close in the 2023 Greatwood Hurdle.

He had come into the race with a 137 rating courtesy of a very easy win beating Blueking d'Oroux at Aintree in a competitive handicap. 

His first run for Nicky was in January at Doncaster, when he was ridden along from a fair way out.

He would not have been suited by all the omitted hurdles down the home stretch, and as he tired, he drifted across to the far-side rail.

Kempton’s configuration will suit him and if it does rain, it won't matter. He can start to come into contention as they turn for home.

Nicky has a 23% strike rate at the course this season, with seven wins from his 30 runners and that rate could be maintained in Kempton’s first.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 2: Newcastle 14:10 - History Of Fashion (Each-Way)

The Eider Chase could be uncomplicated if the rain does fall, as the connections of O’Connell have to believe there is plenty more to come.  

He arrives at Newcastle with a similar portfolio to the way Anglers Crag did before he won last year.  

O’Connell’s efforts in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen and the Masters at Sandown flagged up that four miles would be ideal, so he has my utmost respect.

It’s a race that in the last decade has gone to those towards the head of the betting on horse racing. 

However I want to seek out potentially a little bit of value. Age is no issue in this great staying race.

In its history, two 13-year-olds have won and three 12-year-olds. If you reduce that down to the last 12 years, two 11-year-olds have bounded to victory. 

History Of Fashion has been here before. He ran in the 2022 race only to unseat his rider at the sixth.

Since then his form has been indifferent, but his better runs come over extremes of distances and he has improved no end on his last two appearances. 

In December, he ran well to come through and claim the Porterstown Handicap Chase, a listed race over 3m 5½f. The form of which didn’t work out too badly.  

Arguably his best run was last time out in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Although he was taken off his feet, he was not that far behind Pinkerton and Nick Rockett, while ahead of Three Card Brag.  

All of whom have won or ran well in much better races next time.

If they went that fast in an Eider, something would be slightly amiss and with the tempo they are going to set he can be in the proximity that Harry Sexton needs to bring him through and hope to hold off O’Connell.  

I'm going each-way and may consider a forecast with the favourite on betting apps.

Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 3: Kempton 15:35 - Charlie Uberalles (Each-Way)

The Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, Kempton’s 15:35 looks as though it could go to the favourite.  

Hyland is a bonny little horse who brings in top class Grade 1 form having finished second to The Jukebox Man on Boxing Day in the Kauto Star Novices Chase.

Plus, he has shown the versatility of being able to cope with different tempos in a couple of races at Cheltenham this season. 

Philip Hobbs has won this race four times, so it is interesting to see that he has opted for Lowrys Bar to come here after he missed out on the Reynoldstown on Saturday. 

But there are only a few who have managed to carry 12st to victory in this such as Crisp and Pendil, while Desert Orchid won with 12st 3!

Sam Thomas could repeat with 2023 winner Our Power, while Katate Dori, who probably needs further or a stiffer course, is out of the handicap.

Beachcomber routed his rivals in a Class 3 at Kempton on December 27.

But I like Charlie Uberalles, who does need good ground or at least no worse than good to soft.

This will be Dianne Sayer’s first Kempton runner, while Danny McMenamin is only having his fourth Kempton ride.  

I am hoping the course will suit, he has won twice at Perth.  His recent form has worked out as he beat Docpickedme and Forward Plan at Doncaster in December.

Docpickedme came out and promptly won the Great Yorkshire Chase, while Forward Plan won this race last year. 

Dianne Sayer is operating at a 19% strike rate this season and has no doubt made the decision to come to Kempton because of the ground.

Danny McMenamin recently brought up his 50th winner of the season which is also his best tally.  

No doubt he could have had a good book of rides at Newcastle, yet Kempton and Charlie Uberalles is the destination.  

He is an each-way pick and like the Eider, I may well put him in a forecast with Hyland.