Nigel Twiston-Davies: My Weekend’s Runners – 4th March 2016

Nigel Twiston-Davies has horses running all over the country this weekend and as part of his new weekly column he’s shared his views exclusively with myracing.com about their chances.

Nigel’s Charity Bet

Nigel’s pick for his £25 Charity Bet this week is:

3.25pm Newbury – Little Jon to Win at 7/1

£25 returns £200 if he wins which will be donated to the Injured Jockey’s Fund

Saturday’s Runners

2.15pm Newbury – Benbens

“He has already won a Veteran’s Chase at Aintree (last October) off a similar mark so no reason why he can’t run well again today. He seems fine at home and we are trying a first time visor on him here and we hope it may make a difference.”

3.25pm Newbury – Little Jon

“He clearly likes it round here and won over course and distance on November on soft ground. With track going and distance looking ideal we are hoping for a good run from him this afternoon.”

4.40pm Stratford – Colin’s Brother

“Colin’s Brother is a very nice horse and seems to be improving all the time. I can’t say he is well handicapped by any means but he has only had the two runs over fences and continues to go the right way. He has races in him and we are expecting a decent run.”

5.30pm Doncaster – Ballycash

“I really don’t know why he ran so badly when he was pulled up at Warwick on his first run for us, but we do wonder if the ground was against him. Better going should see him in a different light and he is a lot better than we saw that day, though there are a lot of unknown quantities in the race with John Ferguson’s Wenyerreadyfreddie an interesting one. Mine is working well at home and seems sure to run a big race.”

Sunday Runners

3.00pm Huntingdon – Double Court

“Sadly he has to run from out of the handicap so he is very difficult to fancy today, but we need to run him and there are limited options.”

3.30pm Huntingdon – Ballyrath

“This will be his first stab at this sort of trip and he hasn’t raced over further than three miles before but we are hopeful he will stay this three miles seven marathon trip. My son Sam rides, and the horse is certainly progressing this season –  he is certainly a decent horse and if he does stay he has a good chance.”

4.00pm Huntingdon – Aldeburgh

“I generally race him on the flat these days as he needs good ground, so if it gets too soft he won’t run. This is his first time in a handicap and he ran well enough when second to Unbuckled at Doncaster but the going is a concern.”

Cheltenham Work

“The sun was shining on the gallops this morning and all is well in the world for now. It’s that time of year when every trainer is listening extra carefully for a cough and hoping and praying their horses remain sound for Cheltenham – I am certainly happy with how they worked today and where they are at present, lets all hope that lasts to the Festival and beyond”.

Nigel Twiston-Davies will be back each and every week with his thoughts exclusively for myracing.com as well as every day over the Cheltenham Festival and other major meetings! To see what our tipsters are backing in all the weekend’s races, check out our free daily horse racing tips!