We had a couple of winners yesterday, notably Nicto de Beauchene at 13/2.
Tomorrow’s Newbury card is a fascinating mixture of star individual champions and competitive handicaps and should draw a big crowd.
When Diamond Harry beat Bensalem over hurdles last season the pair were only separated by half a length. When they clashed over fences at Haydock recently Diamond Harry was the more fluent jumper, in fact Bensalem was a faller. They meet again in the Newbury 1.30 where Diamond Harry should come out on top again. Inchidaly Rock had won twice over fences before falling when upped in class at Cheltenham last time. He gives the impression that he may be better going right handed and when fresh so I am inclined to prefer Diamond Harry who gets the selection.
The 2.00 is an ultra competitive handicap hurdle where the likely favourite is the highly rated Alfie Sherrin trained by Paul Nicholls. Although beaten into third on his last run that race has worked out quite well, producing a number of subsequent winners. It is quite a surprise in itself that this horse is being kept over hurdles and although favourites have a poor recent record in the race “Alfie” could well be what it’s all about here! If you don’t fancy taking such a short price in a race like this the outsiders to consider might be The Real Deal and Triggerman. The former reverts to hurdles after a spell over fences and could be reasonably handicapped while Triggerman put up a good performance last time out at Kempton when 4th to Micheal Flips in bad ground.
Denman (pictured below) should win the AON Chase at 2.30 although hardly a betting proposition.
The Totesport Trophy at 3.05 will take some sorting out however. If you are looking for an outsider Frontier Dancer is one to take a look at from a stable starting to find some better form. He doesn’t look badly weighted. Get Me Out Of Here is unbeaten in four starts is a course and distance winner and has AP McCoy in the saddle. Nicky Henderson and David Pipe both have multiple entries. Barry Geraghty rides Spirit River who was really impressive when winning at Cheltenham in December and is a serious player. Of the Pipe runners Mamlook is not without a chance. He is very consistent and only has a 5 lbs penalty for his win in a valuable handicap at Ascot last month. I just prefer his stable companion Ronaldo Des Mottes however. He ran a shocker in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham but has since bounced back to form winning at Kempton over Christmas. Numide has been out of form this season after not really taking to fences and he may be a little too high in the weights. Numide’s stable companion Harry Tricker looks to have a better chance especially if the ground isn’t too testing. The talented Manyriverstocross is only a novice but has plenty of experience from the flat and gets in here with a nice racing weight.
I have whittled this down to a short list of 4; Spirit River, Ronaldo Des Mottes, Manyriverstocross and Harry Tricker. If pushed to, select one it would be Manyriverstocross at around 10/1.
The 3.40 sees the return of Champion Chaser Master Minded pictured below). He should carry too many guns for Voy Por Ustedes, who probably needs further these days, and Fix the Rib. He is returning after a setback however and I don’t think I would want to take a very short price.
My selections for the last two races on the Newbury card are Bellvano (4.15) and Dragon’s Roost (4.45).
At Warwick I just favour Sullumo over Forest Pennant in the 1.45 while Long Run could just be something special in the 2.15.
In the 2.50 Merigo is potentially well handicapped and looks each way value at 10/1. In the 3.20 I see that The Vicar is dropped in trip after not really getting home over further and has an each way prayer at 7/1. Kennel Hill is the selection in the 3.55.
There have an early morning inspection at Ayr. If the meeting goes ahead recent Market Rasen winner Mirage Dore looks to have a good chance in the novice chase at 2.10 while Olifan D’Oudairies with Graham Lee on board can follow up his win at the Scottish track back in December in the 3.50.
I don’t have a strong view about the 2.35 at Gowran Park although I did consider Luska Lad and Noble Prince.
All pictures today courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
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