ITV Preview 02/03/19

The opening race from Doncaster is the 888Sport Handicap Hurdle over three miles, and Three Ways can make a remarkable winning return for trainer Jamie Snowden and owner David Brownlow.

Absent since last March, this 8yo returns on a feasible and workable mark of 133, and is assisted today by 3lb claimer Paige Fuller on ground that is shaping to be good, perhaps good-to-firm.

Will be interesting to note the betting beforehand, and perhaps the lay-off has allowed him to freshen up.Holds a card to play here.

The Last Samuri will look to justify top weight in Leg Three of the Veterans' Chase Series at Newbury - registered at the William Hill Supporting Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Chase.

One-time runner up in the Grand National has rarely hit the rights since, knocking at the door in several efforts but has not won since prevailing at Doncaster in 2016.

Was a good third to Tiger Roll in last season's Cross Country at Cheltenham before being pulled up in the National itself, and has since moved on from Kim Bailey to Harry Fry.Surely in with a shout by being maintained in this class, and dropping in distance.

Movie Legend looks the one to beat in the 888Sport Bet 10 Get 30 Handicap Chase, despite being the lowest horse in the field on ratings.

Looking highly progressive, this 9yo got his head back in front last time out at Wetherby after a series of close efforts for Lucy Wadham.

In fact in his last six outings, he has not been out the top three, and a rise up to a Class Two could bring more development out of him. Big player.

The big race of the day is the Grade Three William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase, where we have compiled the field down to two selections.

Firstly, Dolos is highly commendable in his own right and has always run with great credit, until appearing to come up short at the top level.

After a series of close efforts in Class Two's, he finally got his head in front at Sandown a month ago today in the same category and had plenty in hand when crossing the line.

Last raced at this level in last season's Grand Annual when finishing a never competitive seventh, but deserves his chance to fire again, whilst Happy Diva - our other selection, is a useful mare who won well in a Listed contest back in January at Huntingdon.

She got the better of Jessica Harrington's Magic Of Light, having finished two lengths down on Aso at Cheltenham on New Years Day when last racing in this company - so on that basis she could be in with a very good chance off two furlongs shorter.

Good course form with a solid second to Ms Parfois thirteen months ago, and looks a valiant contender here.

The Listed 888Sport Take 'Em On Mares' Novices' Hurdle is one of the feature races at Town Moor this Saturday, where Danse Idol will look to take more valuable prize money home for Paul Nicholls.

Very lightly raced as a 6yo - just six runs in her career, six of which for the ten-times Champion Trainer.

She got off the mark over timber at Wincanton when beating Printing Dollars - a subsequent winner, before two valiant seconds behind the same mare at Haydock and at Sandown in a Listed and Grade Two company.

Her turn for glory here we think.

The only race from Kelso on the ITV broadcast on Saturday is the Edinburgh Gin Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) and in the feature at the Scottish track over 2 miles 2 furlongs we have gone for Windsor Avenue.

This Brian Ellison-trained 7-y-o boasts a solid record over hurdles with his form working out well, and he looks primed to make his presence felt in this sphere.

The former finished just under 2 lengths behind the hot-favourite for this years Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Al Dancer, who has since gone on to stamp his authority at the highest level; so with that in mind we feel there may be plenty more to come from the gelding.

E/W squeak.

Looking Well can take the 888Sport Grimthorpe Handicap Chase for Nicky Richards, attempting to follow up his win here in Leg Two of the Veteran's Chase Series.

Sent off a 5/2 favourite, he was always in command between the final two fences and was ridden out on the run-in by Ryan Day, who is replaced today by Aidan Coleman.

The 10yo steps back up to above three miles looking to rewrite previous misfortunes, but looks at the top of his game at the minute.