Hi all,
Not the day I was hoping for at Newbury yesterday and I was on the wrong Hobbs horse in the last. Moving swiftly on to Saturday’s action.
All eyes will be on Newbury for the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (3.00), the day’s highlight. Ireland has two strong contenders in the Willie Mullins trained Ontheropes and Henry de Bromhead’s Eklat De Rire, with the home team being led by the Colin Tizzard trained Fiddlerontheroof and Enrilo for the Paul Nicholls yard.
ITV will be live at Newbury for five races, as well as three from Newcastle, where the feature is the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle (3.15). The Nicky Henderson trained Epatante, last year’s winner, now seems likely to face a strong challenge from the Paul Nicholls trained 4-year-old Monmiral.
The going at Newcastle on Friday afternoon was still being described as good. However, some very strong winds are forecast and there could be plenty of rain before racing. If has arrived the ground will ease.
I’ve had a look at most of the races being covered live by ITV in today’s preview. As ever my selections can be found at the end of the pain piece.
Newbury
1:15 – Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 6 ½ f
Kapcorse won this in 2018 and finished 7th of 16 in last year’s race. This is first start since that run but he’s short enough in the ante post betting to think that trainer Paul Nicholls thinks they have the 8-year-old spot on fitness wise.
Espoir De Teillee had Kalooki ahead back in second when winning here over 2m 4f in March. The first named shaped better than he had on his seasonal return when 10 ¼ length third of 9 at Chepstow last month. Today’s extra two furlongs are a bit of an unknown but trainer Tom George’s runners are going better now.
Kalooki meets Espoir De Teillee on the same terms as in March so there shouldn’t be much between the pair again. However, he’s the guaranteed stayer of the pair having won over C&D last November. First start since March but did win first time up last season.
Killer Clown finished a length 2nd of 14 to Umbrigado here in Greatwood Gold Cup (2m 4f) back in March. And, wasn’t disgraced when a 12 ½ length 3rd of 8 at Sandown a month later. Finished a 12 ½ length 6th of 8 the Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree on his return to action which was also his first start since wind surgery. The first time cheekpieces are applied which likely need to eke out some more improvement in the 7-year-old but of they do he’s a major player. Finished race off like he would be suited by this sort of trip.
Ofalltheginjoints showed up for a long way in the Badger Beers handicap Chase at Wincanton last month. Must be respected on his 8 ½ length 5th of 13, off 7lb higher, in a valuable handicap chase at Aintree on Grand National Day. He’s a good jumper but doesn’t find as much at the end of his races. In that respect the drop back to 2m 6 ½ f could really suit him.
1:50 – Get Your Ladbrokes £1 Free Bet Today Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m 4 ½ f
The front two in the betting Lecale’s Article and Master’s Legacy look the ones to concentrate on here. The former has just had three starts under rules. A winner of maiden hurdle here in December (soft) on his debut for the Nicky Henderson yard. Looks capable of better on his handicap hurdle debut.
Master’s Legacy didn’t look like had much chance when outpaced three out at Chepstow on his seasonal return last month. However, he rallied and found plenty to pressure to get up on the line. The 6-year-old has only been raised 2lb for that success and will be better suited by a return to this sort of distance.
2:25 – Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Intermediate Hurdle (Listed Race) (A Limited Handicap) – 2m ½ f
A disappointing field of just four for this valuable handicap hurdle. All four though are last time out winners.
Soaring Glory won the Betfair Hurdle over C&D in February and made a seriously impressive seasonal reappearance when winning at Ascot 28-days ago. Is the one to beat but he’s a hold up horse and may not get the race run to suit.
Onemorefortheroad should be able to get an uncontested lead here. He’s returned to action in excellent form winning a novice hurdle at Stratford before making all to win back in handicap company at Huntingdon 18-days ago. Up 6lb and in a much better race today but does go well on good ground and can’t be ruled out.
3:00 – Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) – 3m 2f
Eklat De Rire – Did well over fences last season winning three of his four starts. The only blemish to a good season was when unseating his rider in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Won a small field listed race at Wexford last time. Likely a mark of 154 is a winnable one but all his best form has so far come on heavy ground.
Ontheropes –The 7-year-old returned from a 11-month absence to win the Munster National at Limerick last month. Ticks the big field experience box and was strong at the finish over 3m last time so could stay further.
Enrilo – Put in a personal best when first past the post in Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on his final start, demoted to third having hung badly left in the closing stages. He’s been raised 4lb for that performance but could progress further and the ground was good at Sandown.
Fiddlerontheroof – Runner up four times in Graded novice chases last season, including when a 6 ½ lengths second of 6 to Monkfish in Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. Made a winning return to action in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle last month. A mark of 150 looks workable and although he needs to improve on his Carlisle performance, that’s possible back up in distance.
Cloth Cap – An excellent winner of this race last year. He jumped his rivals into the ground 12 months ago on good ground. Improved further to win a Kelso Listed chase before pulling up when well fancied for the Grand National. Shaped like the run was needed when a 15 ½ lengths fourth of 11 at Cheltenham last month. The cheekpieces he wore last season when winning this were left off on his seasonal reappearance but they are back on today.
Demachine – Was expected to prove to be a much better chaser than hurdler and so it has proved. The 7-year-old won his first two starts over fences in novice handicap chases at Uttoxeter and Ascot (both good to soft). Ended last season with 4 lengths 2nd of 6 to Remastered in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot. Good ground and 3m 2f would be slight unknown. But he does look on a competitive mark and if he stays is a lively outsider.
3:35 – Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m ½ f
Grey Diamond ran well when a 5-length 3rd of 10 at Ascot on his seasonal return 28-days ago. A consistent handicap chaser last season winning at Sandown, off 4lb lower, in March. Chased a strong pace at Ascot and was beaten by two who were more patiently ridden. Remains capable of better off his present mark.
Numitor returned to action better than ever when making all to win at Wetherby last month. The 7-year-old’s best form last season had come on soft/heavy ground but showed he could be just as effective on good to soft last time. Up 5lb, and in a better race but his good jumping gives him a decent chance.
Frero Banbou was far too good for six rivals when winning a handicap chase Sandown (good to soft) in March. The 6-year-old wasn’t disgraced when a 9 ½ length 5th of 19 in the Red Rum Handicap Chae at Aintree the following month, finishing ¾ length and one place in front of Grey Diamond that day. However, he was well behind that one when 4th at Ascot on his seasonal return. Yard’s runners are going better now, had a winner here yesterday, and he’s surely better than he was able to show last time.
Sully D’Oc AA, likely went into a few notebooks after his 2 ¾ length 3rd of 7 to Before Midnight at Ascot on Saturday. He ran much better than he had done on his seasonal return at the venue at the end of October. Doing his best work at the finish he might have got even got closer to the winner if he had got a better run on the home turn. The 7-year-old had ended last season in excellent form finishing a 1 length 2nd of 19 in the valuable Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree before going one better at the Punchestown Festival. Showed on Saturday he can be competitive off around his present mark of 145. Big chance if this run doesn’t come to quick.
Newcastle
I have had a look at the two big races at Newcastle.
2:05 – Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Listed Race) – 2m 7 ½ f
Thirteen have stood their ground for this handicap chase. The possibility of some rain to help ease the ground has likely played a part in the anticipation of a decent sized field.
Last year the Sandy Thomson trained Yorkhill caused a major shock when winning the race at 66/1. Thomson has this year’s favourite The Ferry Master and Dingo Dollar in this year’s. Both are previous C&D winners and looked like they would come on for their recent seasonal returns They give the trainer a strong hand in the race. The pair finished 2nd & 4th in last season’s Scottish Grand National. The Ferry Master travelled really well at Ayr looking the most likely winner four out but probably didn’t quite get home over 4m. He looks on a winnable mark and might just prove the better of the pair.
Aye Right was finishing runner-up in last year’s Ladbroke Trophy. Ground will be fine for the 8-year-old and he will be sharper for his Kelso seasonal reappearance over an inadequate 2m 1f. Doesn’t win very often and was well behind the Thomson pair in the Scottish Grand National but he can’t be ruled out if he gets into a good jumping rhythm
Glen Forsa shaped with promise on his first start since switching to the Charlie Longsdon yard when a 10-length 4th of 14 to Larry in Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot last time. He’s vulnerable to stronger stayers over 3m but has dropped down to a good mark on his best from.
3:15 – Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
When I looked at the race in the middle of the week for my Thursday Daily Punt column, I hadn’t anticipated the arrival of some heavy rain and Monmiral taking his chance here.
Last year’s winner Epatante looks to have a great chance of back-to-back wins in the race. The mare handled good ground very effectively here 12 months ago. Four from four when returning from a 90+ day layoff. Lack of fitness shouldn’t beat her and trainer Nicky Henderson form figures in the race are 2121121.
Silver Streak did beat an under-performing Epatante in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last December and was carried out at the second in this race last year. The 8-year-old looked a bit rusty when a 3 ½ length runner-up to Sceau Royal on his seasonal return last month. Sceau Royal has since gone onto win again at Wincanton. However, he was put firmly in his place in last year’s race. I fancy that Silver Streak can finish ahead of his old rival today.
Monmiral made it 5-5 over hurdles when comfortably winning the Grade 1 Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in April. He looked an exciting prospect that day and although he would need to have improved over the summer to beat a top 2m mare like Epatante. He’s just a 4-year-old and has the scope to do better this season.
Betting Advice:
Newbury
1:15 – 1pt win – Killer Clown – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:00 – 1pt win – Fiddlerontheroof – 8/1 @ Bet365 and 0.5pts each way – Demachine – 16/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
3:35 – 1pt win – Frero Banbou – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Sully D’Oc AA – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newcastle
2:05 – 1pt win – The Ferry Master – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook and 1pt win – Aye Right – 6/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John