Hi all,
An exceptionally busy festive period of racing is coming to an end. Still, we have some Grade 1 action to enjoy on Saturday from Newbury where the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (3:00) is the highlight of a seven race card. The ITV cameras will be covering five races from Newbury, two from Warwick and one from Lingfield on an eight race programme this afternoon.
I have selections from Newbury, Warwick and Punchestown which you can find at the end of today’s preview.
Newbury
1:15 – Coral First For Horse Racing Handicap Chase (For The Hallowe’En Trophy) (2m ½ f)
Venetia Williams quickly sends recent Fontwell hurdle winner Gamaret over fences. Trainer is 7-27 26% +38.75 with her chasers at Newbury, including this race in 2020, in the past five years which means the 6-year-old must be respected.
Gamaret takes on some mainly exposed rivals and the best of them look to be Gallic Geordie and Casa Tall and previous C&D winner Not Available.
Gallic Geordie won this 12 months ago from 9lb lower. Has run well on both starts this season and was running on when falling two out at Lingfield 10-days ago.
Casa Tall a three time winner over fences has dropped back to a competitive mark. And his 14 ¼ length 4th of 7 at Sandown 29-days ago was a step in the right direction.
Not Available was in good form at around this time last year winning over C&D last November and following up at Ludlow a month later. Nowhere near his best form since and was pulled up over 3m last time. However, he’s now 10lb below his last winning mark and can’t be ruled out if bouncing back to form.
1:50 – Coral Bet Bundles Handicap Hurdle (2m 4 ½ f)
Pikar who had shaped well on his three starts over hurdles last season made a winning start to the new season at Chepstow 66-days ago. The form of that race is working out well and he looks nicely treated off a mark of 130 for his handicap debut.
Blenkinsop has improved for going handicapping and completed the hat trick at Exeter earlier this month. Has an 8lb rise in the weights to contend with in a deeper race. However. we might not have seen the best of the 5-year-old just yet.
Soaring Glory a big disappointment on his Carlisle chase debut, is quickly back over the smaller obstacles. The 7-year-old won the Betfair Hurdle here in 2021 and an Ascot handicap hurdle last October. First run beyond an extended 2m but he’s just 2lb above his last winning mark and he will be suited by the forecast strong pace.
Nina The Terrier won a novice hurdle here over shorter last November and was a close-up 2nd of 11 in a handicap over C&D in April. Back over today’s distance foe the first time this season but may prefer a sounder surface.
2:25 – Coral Racing Club Mandarin Handicap Chase (3m 2f)
Tallow For Coal returned from a summer break looking better than ever when winning at Lingfield last month. He’s been raised 5lb for that success, which doesn’t look harsh, but is open to more improvement for the step up to 3m 2f.
Laskalin gained a fifth success over the larger obstacles when winning at Ludlow on his seasonal reappearance last month. That was the 7-year-old’s first win since moving to Britain and even off 5lb higher should go close.
Undersupervision gained a first success over fences at the sixth attempt when winning the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster in March. Made a respectable seasonal return when 5 ½ length 3rd of 8 at Cheltenham 22-days ago. Looked in need of further than 3m 2f last time but soft ground will bring his stamina into play. This track should suit him better than Cheltenham.
Grumpy Charlie a three time winner over hurdles. He took well to the larger obstacles when going chasing last season winning here 12 months ago over 2m 6 ½ f. Not so good in valuable handicap chases at Cheltenham & Aintree on his final two starts last season. Pulled up on seasonal return at Bangor, but suited by soft ground and nicely treated.
Shanty Alley stays 3m 2f well and is well suited to soft ground. He won two handicap chases two seasons back, but last season was a bit of a write off as he failed to complete on all three starts. Much better back from wind surgery’ seasonal return when a ¾ length 2nd of 7 at Wetherby 28-days ago. Nudged up 5lb for his latest effort but high on the shortlist.
Killer Kane won novice handicap chases at Kempton and Sandown earlier in the year and wasn’t disgraced when a 25 length 3rd of 14 to Sam Brown at Aintree in April. Needed his seasonal reappearance at Exeter but didn’t really step forward when a 15 -length 4th of 10 here last time. Back up in trip and on a fair mark but not sure this stamina test will suit.
3:00 – Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2m 4 ½ f)
It’s a good sized field for the feature race with fourteen declared for a contest that has attracted an average of 6.5 runners since 2008. The race is not only good on the numbers it seems to be of high standard quality wise.
Paul Nicholls has won the last two running’s with Stage Star and Bravemansgame and he will bid for the hat trick with likely favourite Hermes Allen. A winner of both his hurdle starts the 5-year-old has been aimed at this race since he won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month. He’s open to more improvement and looks a worthy favourite.
Nicky Henderson won this in 2018 with Champ. He saddles Attacca who is also unbeaten on both hurdle starts. The 4-year-old jumped well when making all to win a Cheltenham novice 22-days ago and is open to further progress now stepped up in trip.
You Wear It Well is another unbeaten on two hurdle starts. The mare totally outclassed nine rivals at Hexham last month This is much tougher, but she looks smart and is capable of more progress stepped up to 2m 4f.
Irish challenger Joyeux Machin built on his hurdle debut promise when winning a Fairyhouse maiden earlier this month. At his best on good ground so more rain would be a worry, However, if the going stays good to soft at worst he’s seriously considered
Crambo was well backed to making a winning hurdle debut at Ascot last month and he duly obliged for favourite backers. A dual bumper winner he needs to have improved in the jumping department. However, if he has then he’s got each way claims for a yard who saddled the 2017 winner.
3:35 – Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 6 ½ f)
An intriguing ten runner novices handicap chase to conclude Newbury card. Five of the ten runners were last time out winners, which underlines the competitiveness of the race.
Bold Endeavour was a useful enough novice hurdler for Laura Morgan last season. The 6-year-old made a winning stable debut on his second start over fences at Leicester 24-days ago. Capable of better over fences.
Unanswered Prayers, a three time winner over hurdles last season, made all to win on chase debut at Cheltenham last month. Up 7lb for that win but there should be more to come from him over the larger obstacles
Nothin To Ask a winner over hurdles last season he’s already taken his form to a higher level this season, winning both his starts over fences. Up 8lb for the latest of those wins at Doncaster but must be high on the shortlist.
Malinello returned from a 22 month layoff to make a winning debut over fences at Newcastle last month. His jumping was good last time, and he idled after the last so a 5lb rise in the weights might well underestimate him. Another capable of better if staying sound.
Tea For Free made it 3-3 since going over fences when winning at Uttoxeter last month. Likely more to come from the 7-year-old so a 6lb rise in the weights is workable. Of more concern would be soft ground as all three wins have come on good ground. If he’s effective on softer ground he’s big player.
Doctor Ken made a winning chase debut at Aintree and wasn’t disgraced when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 5 to a useful sort at Ayr last time. The handicapper has raised him 3lb for that effort but there could be more to come from him the 6-year-old if staying today’s longer trip.
Surrey Gold was encouraging 3rd of 8 at Uttoxeter on chase debut last month. A soft ground winner over hurdles, the 5-year-old is open to further improvement over the larger obstacles.
Warwick
Of the two ITV races from Warwick, it’s the first that interests me most.
1:35 – Poundland Handicap Hurdle (3m 2f)
Cawthorne Lad bounced back to form when a 1 ¼ length 3rd of 7 at Leicester last time. On a workable mark and his yard is among the winners. One Fer Mamma ended last season with a C&D success (heavy) in February. Ran well for a long way when 3rd of 8 at Haydock on seasonal return last month and should be fitter today. Trainer Nicky Martin has her small string in winning form, so you have to respect the claims of her runner Lucky So And So on handicap debut. The 5-year-old showed he stayed an extended 3m 1f at Hereford last season so this stamina test should suit. On a workable mark if ready to roll after a 284-day break.
2:10 – Poundland Conditional Jockeys’ Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3m)
Smuggler’s Blues ended a long losing run when getting up close home here (3m 1 ½ f) in January. He was still in with a chance when falling two out at Wincanton last time. If none the worse for that mishap looks a big player here.
Punchestown
2:32 – tote.ie Never Beaten By SP Tara Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) (2m 3 ½ f)
Nineteen runners for what looks like a competitive race on paper.
Captain Conby a C&D winner in January he looked to be going best of all between the final two hurdles before finishing a 2 ¾ length 3rd of 15 to Shewearsitwell in handicap hurdle here (3m) last month. The winner won a Grade 3 at Leopardstown this week so the form looks solid enough and a return to today’s trip should suit.
Riaan put in a career best last time when winning at Cork (2m 4f) last month. Up 8lb but remains capable of doing better in the sphere. San Salvador was a 2 ¾ length runner-up to Riaan last time and might well have won if his jumping had been assured over the final two hurdles. That was his first start for 4 months and he does get a handy 7lb from the improving winner. One to be interested in for a yard going well.
Hgranca De Thaix looked much improved when getting off the mark at the 8th attempt over hurdles at Galway 88-days ago. Up 15lb demands more from the 5-year-old but he’s capable of more improvement and high on the shortlist for a yard 2-5 in the past 14-days.
Wat Ua Doin left her seasonal return effort (back from 531 day layoff) well behind when beating 11 rivals at Tramore 25-days ago. More needed off 7lb higher but she relished the soft ground last time. There could be more to come from her, off a nice light weight.
Betting Advice:
Newbury
1:15 – Casa Tall – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Bet365
1:50 – Blenkinsop – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral
2:25 – Laskalin – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Shanty Alley – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral
3:35 – Malinello – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral and Tea For Free – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Bet365
Warwick
1:35 – One Fer Mamma – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Coral and Lucky So And So – 1pt win – 22/1 @ Bet365
2:10 – Smuggler’s Blues – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Bet365
Punchestown
2:32 – Wat Ua Doin – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John