Antepost Racing Tips: On a mission with two Kelso fancies at 10/1 and 12/1 for Saturday's ITV Racing

Three meetings on a bumper ITV4 Saturday 

The weather gods have been kind to us for Newbury with a completely dry week ahead of Saturday's card, but while it's good racing for spotting future talent with three novices' races and a bumper on the afternoon, it's not a card that lends itself to having a punt.

There's plenty of racing to enjoy, however, with ITV4 providing 10 races this Saturday, and while a little short on top-drawer quality, the Kelso card is well stocked with the handicaps and that's where the interest lies.

The Borders track is going with a soft description at the time of writing (on Tuesday) with a dry week ahead. I've checked, there are no Willie Mullins entries, so the clerk can rest easy without the threat of the Closutton God telling them what to do. You cannot be good at everything can you Willie? 

One race at Bangor too - and there's a contest advertising Tom Jones at Chester. Yes it's that time of year, and Jones' stamina has to be admired as he first graced the stage in 1927 when Stanley Baldwin was Prime Minister.

2m5f BetWright Handicap Hurdle, 13:30, Saturday March 21, Kelso - Back Authorized Mission @ 12/113.00

The Go North Cab On Target Series Final looks fierce enough to crack with Brookside La the 5/16.00 favourite on the Sportsbook, on which there are four places.

Authorized Mission 12/113.00 has two entries (it was ever thus) as he could be on his way to Musselburgh on the Friday over 3m, but this trip at a track he has won at before makes a lot more sense.

He attempted 3m last time at Ayr, and a mistake at the fifth might have unsettled him, but as a 13/82.63 fav that day, he was a tame ninth and still has to prove himself over the 3m.

Authorized Mission's second to Glen Road over 2m6f at the track in soft in December is a key point with the stamina here, as he made the running, travelled the best into the turn, and was outstayed by the Sue Smith hurdler.

The sectionals from the 19f to 23f would back up this too, as all were on a par with each other bar the 23rd furlong in which Glen Road was half a second quicker. Off a finishing speed of 108%, again the evidence is there that perhaps the 2m6f is a little too far to excel as he traded at 1.21/5 in defeat.

He was clinical in dismantling a field by 14L winning over course and distance in November, and the time in terms of finishing pace, was more of a test. It even got a dog barking on commentary with several woofs down the straight.

With the conditions not unpleasant this week perhaps good to soft will greet us? If so, that could suit Authorized Mission more so and as a front-runner, can hopefully give us a good run at double figures. All Nicky Richards has to do now is forget Musselburgh on the Friday.

2m5f BetWright Novices' Handicap Chase, 14:40, Saturday March 21, Kelso - Back Glen Road @ 10/111.00

The Go North Forgive 'N Forget Series Final is another of the big races at Kelso on Saturday and at least there is no messing with Glen Road, whose sole entry lies here.

He is another double figure price, although understandable given he hasn't won a race since he beat Authorized Mission over slightly further in November.

Sue Smith has been tinkering with distance - between 2m4f and 2m (at Sedgefield) but with his ability to stay, this 2m5f looks just about his best trip.

A run at Sandown last time was a stronger race in terms of opposition, and Smith must be applauded going down south to have a crack at those southerners.

He didn't quite have the pace over 2m4f against Olly Murphy's Soldierofthestorm, and his form previously to Rodney stands up well. Glen Road jumped well and didn't have any problems with the fences in quick succession at the Esher circuit, and with a little increase in trip and perhaps some drying ground, I think he's a player here at 10/111.00.

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