Weekend horse racing picks from Ed Quigley: Best picks for Cheltenham, Doncaster, and Naas

Top Tipster and Broadcaster, Ed ‘Longshot Ted’ Quigley continues to fire in the winners and serves up his best bets for a stunning weekend of action as Cheltenham’s Trials Day rolls into town.

Ted’s bets for Saturday, Jan 27

Find the following picks for Saturday races. Play on the races with our best expert rated horse racing betting sites:

• Cheltenham 1.15 – Ga Law each-way – bet with bet365
• Cheltenham 1.50 – Datsalrightgino – bet with BetUK
• Doncaster 3.15 – Kandoo Kid each-way – bet with BetMGM
• Doncaster 3.50 – Monmiral – bet with Spreadex
• Cheltenham 4.10 – Antrim Coast – bet with BetUK

Cheltenham 1.15 – Ga Law each-way

This could be a big weekend for Lambourn handler Jamie Snowden, and GA LAW looks the each-way play in this competitive-looking heat. The 8-year-old was a winner of last season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at this venue and ran well for a long way in the Coral Gold Cup.

A return to this track and trip can only benefit, and drying ground will be of big help to him. Off a mark of 150, he can get in the shake-up here with the in-form Gavin Sheehan doing the steering. Ga Law has assured stamina in the locker, so Cheltenham’s New Course should be ideal for him. As an each-way selection, I wouldn’t be shocked if he hit the frame for a yard operating at a 30% strike rate for the last fortnight.

Bet on Ga Law at bet365

Cheltenham 1.50 – Datsalrightgino

Drying ground will play to the strengths of DATSALRIGHTGINO who thrived when upped to 3m2f at Newbury last time out as he landed the Coral Gold Cup, and he can take his form up a notch here. The Jamie Snowden-trained 8-year-old looks to be really blossoming, and jumped and travelled superbly at Newbury, before finding plenty inside the hard yards as he went into unknown territory stamina-wise.

He disappointed in the Plate at last year’s Cheltenham Festival on very deep ground, but otherwise has a very progressive profile, and also has winning form at the track from his hurdling days. This is an open-looking renewal, and he can run a big race with Gavin Sheehan in the saddle. 

Bet on Datsalrightgino at BetUK

Doncaster 3.15 – Kandoo Kid each-way

I think the step up to 3m looks tailor made for the Paul Nicholls trained KANDOO KID. This unexposed 8-year-old has been a model of consistency so far over fences, yet to finish out of the top two in his four chase starts. He is of real interest here having his stamina stretched out, as he has given the impression that there is plenty more improvement in the locker.

He got a 5lb hike in the weights for hashing home Djelo over an inadequate trip last time out, and should be much happier in these circumstances on a flat, left-handed track where this relentless galloper can really hit top stride. Lorcan Williams is in the saddle for the Ditcheat yard, and a big run can be expected at an each-way price.

Bet on Kandoo Kid at BetMGM

Doncaster 3.50 – Monmiral

MONMIRAL has been a frustrating individual in recent times, but according to his trainer Paul Nicholls, he has been “crying out for three miles.” Well, he’s up to this trip for the first time over fences and should have come on for his reappearance run in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham when finishing seventh. That was his first run for 245 days and after a wind-operation, so he should be much sharper here, dropping into calmer waters.

He has also been eased 3lb to a BHA mark of 142, and this relatively unexposed sort should still have more to offer where this flat track should play to his strengths. Bryony Frost takes the ride on this lightly-raced individual who looks like a major candidate in this company.

Bet on Monmiral at Spreadex

Cheltenham 4.10 – Antrim Coast

I think ANTRIM COAST can serve it up to the protagonists here, and has to be respected for the Gavin Cromwell team, who have a stunning record when sending horses to Prestbury Park. This strong-travelling sort won at Punchestown on his penultimate start, before losing by a neck when beaten by Butch at Cheltenham’s October meeting.

That rival has subsequently gone on to win again since, so the form has a robustness to it, and with drying ground to suit, I just wonder if Antrim Coast might have too much zip for the hugely exciting and unbeaten Gidleigh Park. Keith Donoghue takes the ride on the Irish raider and a bold bid should be inevitable.

Bet on Antrim Coast at BetUK

Ted’s Bets for Sunday, January 28

• Doncaster 2.35 – You Wear It Well – bet with bet365
• Naas 2.45 – Sandor Clegane – bet with BetUK

Doncaster 2.35 – You Wear It Well

YOU WEAR IT WELL is a tough individual, who shouldn’t have any issue stepping up to 3m. Although official ratings suggest she has a little bit to find, I think this battle-hardened mare has to come into the shake-up. She showed a blend of guts and class to win at the Cheltenham Festival, where over a shorter trip it was her stamina on soft ground which saw her get the job done.

She can run a big race now upped in trip, and this looks like a perfect pipe-opener before having a crack at the Mares’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, which is just a little over 6 weeks away. 

Bet on You Wear It Well with bet365

Naas 2.45 – Sandor Clegane

This looks like the ideal opportunity for SANDOR CLEGANE to stamp his authority on the field as this classy act embarks on his third start over fences. The Paul Nolan trained 7-year-old had some quality form to his name as a Novice Hurdler last season, demonstrated when he was beaten just over a length as he finished third in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

So far this term, he has had the two starts over fences, where he would have needed the run on his Chase debut over an inadequate 2m trip, and then last time out put in a very solid run in defeat when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. Freshened up since, this unexposed sort can throw his name in the hat for some of the big Spring Festivals with a big performance here. He seemed to improve with racing last season, so he can take a big step forward here.

Bet on Sandor Clegane at BetUK

Don’t forget Ed will be back on Tuesday as he is back on the hunt for more winners in the next edition of Ted’s Bets.

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