ITV Racing tips: Saturday 22 February – Kempton, Newcastle and Southwell

Telegraph

21-02-2025

Saturday's ITV Racing broadcast features a stacked seven-race offering across both codes, with jump racing at Kempton and Newcastle and all-weather Flat action at Southwell. Among the highlights are three Grade 2 and one Group 3 races.
Our expert has made eight selections across the televised races and you can read the thinking behind each of them below. You can follow all the action live on ITV1 from 1.30-4.00pm.
Here are the day's selections:
1.50 Kempton Rubaud – @ 13/8 with Betfair
2.10 Newcastle – Passing Well each-way @ 8/1 with Betfair / Your Own Story each-way @ 20/1 with Betfair
2.25 Kempton – Mondo Man @ 4/7 with Betfair
2.40 Southwell – Marshman @ 3/1 with Betfair
3.00 Kempton – Miami Magic @ 2/1 with Betfair
3.15 Southwell – Military Academy @ 2/1 with Betfair
3.35 Kempton – Hyland @ 3/1 with Betfair
If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this weekend's racing, check out our list of the best free bets.
1.50 Kempton – Ladbrokes Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2, 2m 4½f)
There's plenty of tempting value in our first televised race and it would be no surprise to see a horse win at a fair price, however our selection is the favourite RUBAUD.
Paul Nicholls proved last week that his stable is back in good health when Pic D'orhy won the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, following the usual post-Christmas dip in form the yard experiences due to vaccinations.
Rubaud is one of the least exposed over fences out of these novices, yet his form when staying on behind the Arkle second-favourite L'Eau du Sud at Warwick two weeks ago reads very well, especially on this step up to the middle distance.
2.10 Newcastle – Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase (4m 1½f)
A case can be made for many in this competitive handicap, especially the favourite O'Connell, who was very impressive at Sandown last time out when completing a three-timer. However, with the inexperienced claimer Peter Kavanagh on board today, he is overlooked here.
Gavin Sheehan rode O'Connell that day and his mount here is PASSING WELL, who was an unlucky second last time out behind Sporting Ace at Lingfield (3m 5f, heavy). That pair meet again here and Passing Well's course form – he has won here previously – could help him to turn the tables.
The proven stayer YOUR OWN STORY offers more each-way value. The form of his last run, when he was sixth in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, has since been franked by the fourth winning and Val Dancer, the winner, placing in a Grand National trial at Haydock.
Towards the bottom of the weights, the rank outsider Knockanore is an interesting contender. He steps up markedly in trip, which may suit him based on his second behind Mettingofthewaters, who is among the Willie Mullins battalion for the 2025 Grand National, in a point-to-point in Ireland.
2.25 Kempton – Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
This contest looked as though it may be more competitive earlier in the week, with both of Nicky Henderson's Triumph Hurdle hopefuls entered, but they were scratched on Thursday morning.
That leaves short-priced favourite MONDO MAN as the clear pick from the six-runner field. His second behind Triumph favourite Lulamba is the pick of his National Hunt form and his Royal Ascot Group 2 fourth would make him favourite for the Winter Derby later on on today's ITV broadcast.
St Pancras improved greatly to win at Musselburgh last time out and is an interesting runner, but it would take odds of 16/1 or more before he becomes an attractive proposition.
2.40 Southwell – BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed, 5f)
There are nine races on the Premier Raceday card at Southwell and in the opener we see the best sprinters the winter season has to offer go head to head over the minimum trip.
Although five furlongs might be on the sharp side for the Karl Burke-trained MARSHMAN, he is drawn in stall one and can control the race from there.
The five-year-old has won on his previous two starts, over six furlongs at Newcastle and Lingfield, and he has enough class to win today and make it three from three this winter.
3.00 Kempton – Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
The Stuart Edmunds-trained MIAMI MAGIC is a worthy favourite, having raced against some of the season's top novice hurdlers.
In his penultimate race he came out on top ahead of the talented George's Lad, who has produced some impressive form lines. Next time out, Miami Magic lost at Aintree to the very talented Potters Charm, who has a near-perfect record of five wins and a second across his six races under Rules.
3.15 Southwell – BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3, 1m 3f)
The Gosden yard has taken home first prize in four of the previous six renewals of the Winter Derby and they have a good chance of adding to that tally today.
MILITARY ACADEMY has beaten all but one horse he has faced in his career – that conqueror being Burdett Road, who has proved such a talent on the Flat and over hurdles.
The four-year-old won in fine fashion over 1m 4f on his all-weather debut at Kempton in November, and more progress can be expected here.
3.35 Kempton – Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m)
HYLAND was second last time out to the impressive Jukebox Man, who is sadly now out for the season. That is genuine Grade 1 form and makes him a credible favourite here.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has stated that the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is not a likely destination for this eight-year-old and winning today is the main goal.
His two wins at Cheltenham in the autumn also read well and he can add to that tally today.