ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster on Saturday, February 28
After a week off recovering from trapping one of his testicles in the hatchway of a canal boat, Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico is back for Saturday’s ITV racing action.
We’ve decided that it’s sometimes best not to ask why Jeff was dangling his meat ‘n’ two veg into a narrowboat on the Leeds and Liverpool waterway – we just know he has been up to no good again, so let’s stick to the horses.
ITV have served up 10 races for Saturday afternoon: five from Kelso, two from Newbury, and three from Doncaster. Let’s get cracking.
Jeff Mexico’s tips
This week, a Tourette’s campaigner shouted something rude at two actors at the BAFTAs.
Everyone got very angry and there was loads of hoo-hah about it, which I couldn’t be bothered to read about.
My main issue with this fancy event is that, once again, I was overlooked by BAFTA for an award and not even invited to the slap-up meal or any of the afterparties.
So hear this now, big cheeses of BAFTA: I will continue to keep submitting my thrilling docudrama, Man balances 37 After Eight mints on his c*ck, until I’m given the recognition I truly deserve.
In the meantime, here are some horse racing tips for this Saturday, with the Cheltenham Festival not far off now.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2026: The challenge, UK vs Ireland
13:10 (Kelso) – bet365 Handicap Chase
Main tip: Torneo
Shown real consistency over fences, regularly running competitive races. Has previous wins over this sort of distance and his recent efforts show strong form, with some close seconds and solid chase performances.
Each-way tip: Doyen Du Bar
Veteran with a good record over 2m and slightly further, who has shown he stays competitive in handicap chase company. Ran well at Market Rasen last month, travelling strongly before fading, so a drop back in trip could help.
13:25 (Doncaster) – VirginBet Novices’ Hurdle (Listed)
Each-way tip: Livingonaprayer
She’s only had a handful of runs, and her last performance (solid win with a sustained duel) points to further progression, especially over 3m.
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13:45 (Kelso) – bet365 Premier Chase (Listed)
Main tip: Protektorat
Proven high-class chaser with a strong level of form at the top end of the chasing ranks. He won the Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor recently. Has shown form over similar distances and handles good-to-soft ground well. Team Skelton is another plus.
Each-way tip: Iroko
Has run well over this trip at Kelso previously and chased the winner in this race last year. Has enjoyed a respectable campaign, including a win at Ascot and a runner-up in a competitive chase. He stays really well, and his stamina and experience will keep him in the mix.
13:55 (Doncaster) – VirginBet Handicap Chase
Main tip: Mighty Bandit
Has taken well to chasing this season for his current yard, winning handicaps at Newbury and Doncaster already. His rating reflects his current level of form without being overly punitive. Travels strongly and jumps fluently which will benefit in a six-horse race.
Each-way tip: Brookie
Big plus is he won this race in 2025, and his reliability makes him a very credible place bet in a compact handicap.
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14:15 (Kelso) – bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Main tip: Le Beau Madrid
Comes into this having won his last two starts over hurdles. Is a fluid jumper with a good turn of pace. Team Skelton gives him another big tick.
Each-way tip: Starmount
Scored comfortably last time out over 2m, so shouldn’t be outclassed by this step up in company. Testing ground at Kelso won’t trouble him and he should relish a strong gallop.
14:30 (Doncaster) – VirginBet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
Main tip: King’s Threshold
Returned to winning ways over this trip at Newbury just after Christmas, travelling strongly and finishing off well. Form has been franked by subsequent performances from horses he beat. Shown he stays this sort of trip well.
Each-way tip: New Order
He has been placing regularly this season, including a strong second behind Dartmoor Pirate in the Great Yorkshire Chase over 3m at Doncaster. That second saw him run well off equal weights, and in the Grimthorpe he receives 5lb from that rival.
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14:55 (Kelso) – bet365 Morebattle Hurdle
Main tip: Hamlet’s Night
Although off a break, Hamlet’s Night has solid placed form in good company this season. Can handle both the testing Kelso ground and the tactical nature of this race.
Each-way tip: Laafi
Relatively unexposed over hurdles and has shown promise on both the Flat and over jumps last season. He ran creditably in a handicap at Leopardstown when last seen and is well suited at this trip and conditions. Shouldn’t be ignored at a big price.
15:15 (Newbury) – BetVictor Handicap Chase
Main tip: Torn And Frayed
Consistent in similar veterans’ handicap company, with a second-placed effort in a competitive Cheltenham handicap chase his latest run and two solid runs prior to that. Proven over marathon trips especially on good-to-soft ground.
Each-way tip: Eldorado Allen
Running respectably in decent company this season, including a respectable effort at Windsor where he ran fourth last time out. Genuine marathon chaser who stays 3m well, but not as progressive as Torn And Frayed.
15:30 (Kelso) – bet365 Handicap Hurdle
Main tip: Florida Dreams
Has been in and around the frame in a string of competitive handicap hurdles this season and hasn’t been far away in a couple of decent efforts over longer trips. He’s race-fit, handles the conditions, and looks likely to be staying on when others begin to tire.
Each-way tip: Smart Decision
Showed he can figure in competitive handicap hurdles, scoring twice over the winter and running creditably in decent races. He has operated at both shorter and longer distances recently, posting solid efforts again over around 2m4f.
15:45 (Newbury) – BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup (Grade 3)
Main tip: Vincenzo
Has taken a clear step forward this season, demonstrated by a strong win at Ascot in January off a similar mark. That form reads well for this contest with its slightly shorter trip and testing ground. His Ascot success came on soft conditions, and he wasn’t outpaced when stepped back in trip later last season.
Each-way tip: Issam
Arrives in good nick, winning a decent handicap at Kempton in February. That was a confident success and shows he can handle this trip on good-to-soft ground. 7lb rise for that win looks fair and he’s still within touch of the weights relative to some rivals.
Good luck everyone – and remember to never gamble in your pants.
(Selections are correct at time of publishing. Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from races, and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)
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