Five horses to follow on Saturday in Ireland and Britain Navan stages Grade 2 action on Saturday, while Kelso hosts its Morebattle Hurdle day and Doncaster features the big betting race, the Grimthorpe Chase. Editor Vincent Finegan and Betting Expert’s Stephen Harris have studied the cards and selected their best bets on the day. Vincent Finegan’s Ireland Tips Shannon Royale, 4.20 Navan, 2m. 4f. 90yds. Listed Hcap Chase Ex-point-to-pointer Shannon Royale is destined to make a better chaser than hurdler and looks to have strong claims on his second handicap chase start here. He takes a drop in class having contested the Thyestes Chase last time and with a good claiming rider booked to reduce his burden he will take some beating on his preferred testing ground. Lilian Bland, 4.55 Navan,2m. 4f. 90yds. Hcap Chase The consistent Lilian Bland has a good opportunity here to add to her tally. She is no star, but off a feather weight of ten stone on ground she handles better than most, she can make a bold bid from the front. Stephen Harris’ UK Tips Helmwein (NAP), 1.10 Kelso, 2m1f Handicap Chase Alan King’s handicapper has been an expensive failure in three runs over fences so far, but he has struggled in testing ground and now and has optimum conditions at Kelso on Saturday. Tom Cannon will likely have to sit second behind the freewheeling frontrunner Real Stone, but he can overpower that rival up the long run-in. Mr Bramley (value), 2.20 Kelso, 2m5f Handicap Hurdle Jedd O’Keefe’s hurdler has now won 4 of his 6 starts over timber, and looked well ahead of the game into handicaps when landing a hefty punt at Wetherby last month. A 6lb rise looks on the lenient side for that authoritative win, and the step up to 2m5f on drying ground promises to suit ideally under another patient ride from regular pilot Conor O’Farrell. Hymac, 3.15 Doncaster, 3m2f Grimthorpe Handicap Chase Harry Fry’s chaser is far less exposed than most of these northern rivals after just six runs over fences, and he will appreciate the improving spring ground conditions for this valuable and prestigious handicap. A patient ride is on the cards from Bryan Carver, and he can swoop late up the long Doncaster straight. BoyleSports Destination Cheltenham Offer
