Another good day for the web site with 5 winners from yesterday’s selections. Riverside Theatre (4/5), Michel Le Bon (6/4), Exmoor Ranger (4/1), Oscar Whisky (8/15) and Sir Winston (7/2).
Newbury is again the main meeting tomorrow and gets under way with a novice hurdle at 1.00. Mille Chief and Royal Mix look the pair to concentrate on in this race. Royal Mix is trained by Paul Nicholls and has winning form in France where he was rated 90 on the flat. He won over 1 mile 7 furlongs at Deauville on good ground so stamina should not be a problem over hurdles. Mille Chief is another with winning form in France. He was unlucky on his UK debut for Alan King when brought down at Market Rasen. As long as that mishap has not damaged him mentally or physically I would expect him to run well and narrowly prefer him to the Nicholls runner.
Channel 4 presenter Alistair Down nominated Lie Forrit as his horse to follow this season. He does have his quirks (the horses that is, not Mr Down) and unseated his rider when in with a winning chance at Aintree but has since shown plenty of resolution when winning at Cheltenham. He has gone up another 6 lbs for his Cheltenham success but looks a progressive sort and there may well be more to come. This is a very competitive handicap with all sorts of dangers (Halla San and Ainama spring to mind). Lie Forrit has shown his best form on soft going and if underfoot conditions are to his liking he should run well. He is the selection.
In the 2.40 it will be a big surprise if Punchestowns fails to oblige on his chase debut. Should the hot favourite fail then Red Admiral would be the one most likely to benefit.
There are some promising types in the line up for the 3.45. The quartet that appeal most are Bellvano, Black Jack Blues, Tocca Ferro and Henry King. All come into the race with solid bumper form and represent in form yards. If I had to select just one I suppose it would have to be Bellvano although I would suggest a saver of Tocca Ferro..
At Musselburgh I am hopeful of a big run from Meath All Star in the 1.45 while Luska Lad looks the one to be on in the 1.35 at Thurles.
My thanks to Kate Tann for the photo of Newbury racecourse.
ahorse 