Jake Price's Saturday Racing Tips at Doncaster and Kelso

I think it's going to pay to side with the classy Nube Negra on Saturday, as he looks a Horse ready to win now dropped back into the calmest waters he's seen for some time.

This Dan Skelton 10yo peaked at an official rating of 168 in a career which has included victories in two Grade 2 Shloer Chases, a Grade 2 Desert Orchid, and of course he was 2nd in the 2021 Champion Chase.

With age he has struggled in open company this season, but in the Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas he ran a cracker in what is now a Limited Handicap off this mark of 155 (13lbs below peak) to finish 2nd behind Editeur Du Gite (162), and ahead of Elixir De Nutz (159).

Off the same mark he should take some beating now dropped into a Class 2 contest - especially as first time cheek-pieces are applied.

I thought this looked like a very weak Morebattle Hurdle, and everything being equal Under Control should take some stopping.

This Mare was a very good winner of the Novice Championship Final at Sandown last April when beating the now 143 rated Iberico Lord off levels, and as such she was strongly fancied for the Gerry Fielden at Newbury when travelling up strongly before stopping quickly. Following another wind-operation she showed just what she can do when splitting Ashroe Diamond (144) and Gala Marceau (146) at Doncaster in a Listed race last month however, and now she goes to Kelso in search of picking up the Morebattle/Cheltenham Festival bonus.

The only concern for me is whether there is a bug in Nicky Henderson’s yard at the moment, as I think she's a class apart.

One priced too big in the Morebattle is Ballygeary, and he has to be an each/way play with the extra places on offer.

This 7yo has enjoyed a productive campaign, placing at Cheltenham in October before then beating Skycutter (121) at Bangor in December over 2m3f - a rival he will be on the same weight terms with here, despite him being so much shorter in the betting. Last time out this Donald McCain charge was well backed when 5th in the Scottish County Hurdle, but that doesn't tell the full story as he was carried right by Afadil (129) and hung left in the straight. It does however mean he will be 8lbs better off with Benson (139) here, and first time cheek-pieces have been applied to try keep him straight.

Off the same mark as his latest victory, this C&D winner might not have the class of Under Control, but he surely won't be out of the frame under Brian Hughes.