Outside of Cheltenham and Boxing Day this might be one of the best days of jump racing! With reasonable ground at both Newbury and Newcastle we will see all of these horses able to compete under optimum conditions with most having had the benefit of a run or two to get them match fit. It’s a great days racing with the undoubted highlight being the Hennessy.
1:30 NEWBURY Sir Peter O´Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase Cl3 2m6f93y
On Tour carries top weight for good reason and his 2nd at Aintree earlier in the month showed him to be in very good shape for this season. This mark might be well within his grasp. Gentleman Jon is also a last time out winner and by 25l no less. Just the 6lbs rise doesn’t look penal for the Tizzard horse. Antony was mighty impressive running away from some good horses at Ascot but maybe the handicapper has got to grips with him now.
Venetia Williams horses haven’t really fired yet, it could be the lack of soft ground or it could be they just aren’t ready yet. Either way Waldorf Salad is a watching brief. We were impressed with Indian Temple winning at Ayr and he might well run a big race but just come up a bit short with the chance that Lucinda Russell’s horse, Final Assualt, may well reverse the placings with him. We are big fans of Generous Ransom, who looked a winner last time until blowing up, in need of the run. He is well handicapped.
1 unit e/w Generous Ransom
1 unit e/w On Tour
1:45 NEWCASTLE Weatherbys Racing Diaries “The French Furze” Novices´ Hurdle Cl2 2m6f
Couple of decent chasers have come out of this race, Ballyalton and a runner in today’s Hennessy, Native River. This year the race, with only four horses entered doesn’t look that attractive. We think it’s down to two and that’s not very original but it should be between the unbeaten Get On The Yager for the very in form Dan Skelton and the stable star for Alistair Whillans, who has won 4 of his last 5 starts, Wyfield Rose.
In theory is should be the Skelton horse’s to lose as his only start over timber he has produced a figure greater than any of his opponents. Not very insightful, given his favouritism but let’s not look at gift horse in the mouth. If he gets over all the obstacles, he wins.
5 units Win Get On The Yager
2:05 NEWBURY Handicap Hurdle Cl2 2m4f118y
Gibralfaro is better than he showed at Cheltenham and he should run better in this race as a handicap. He has been in at the deep end and was just found wanting but his mark has come down for this race and the slightly further trip should also suit. Robinshill has been very impressive in his last two runs with his latest win at Huntingdon very gutsy. Disputed could have a big run in him if he can find his Plumpton form from March this year.
1 unit e/w Gibralfaro
2:40 NEWBURY Intermediate Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Registered As The Gerry Fielden Hurdle) (Listed Race) Cl1 2m69y
Given that he unseated last time out we can expect a lot more from Who Dares Wins. He has talent and will get it right shortly, it should be today. He obviously thinks about it but Wayne Hutchison is a good pilot. Holly Bush Henry is capable of making a stand for Graeme McPherson. His best is not far off what is required and he needed the run at Wetherby where he travelled well for a long way. Tim Vaughan’s Theligny is racking up a decent sequence and is also respected with his best on soft ground at Lingfield looking good in the context of this race. We can take two against the field in this competitive hurdle
1 unit e/w Who Dares Wins
1 unit e/w Holly Bush Henry
2:55 NEWCASTLE The Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m98y
Apple Jade is the best horse in this race, on figures. She fairly bolted up at Aintree back in April and has had just the one run to get herself right. Problem is we think she should have run better in her season pipe opener. The same can’t be said of Sceau Royal who has had two runs this campaign and has won easily twice, with a better run each time. He is a big threat for Alan King.
The final runner worth a comment is the enigmatic Irving for whom life is just too easy. He either beats the best or just chucks in the towel. At his best he is very good but tip against him we must.
2 units win Sceau Royal
3:10 NEWBURY Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) Cl1 3m1f214y
A really strong renewal with suggestions of the winner leaping off the page at every point. This might be the strongest collective field we have seen for some time, without perhaps an obvious superstar to focus on. Our shortlist starts with Hadrians Approach who loves a test, is lightly weighted and has had a season opener, without looking a winner waiting to happen but has the ability. Vyta Du Roc, another Henderson runner is also talented and his run over hurdles was ok. Charlie Longsdons Coologue was impressive at Cheltenham and looks to have improved again. Theatre Guide’s first run of the year was better than any of his other previous first runs and he is telling us he is already an improved horse. If he can avoid a bad mistake he can win this after running so well last year. Henri Parry Morgan needs a second look for Peter and Sean Bowen but lack of a run would temper our enthusiasm for him.
Vicente was good at Ayr but again first run back is asking a lot although Paul Nichols seems to get a tune out of him first up most times. Now we get to the tricky ones. Native River, sluiced up at Aintree over almost this trip. This track should suit his style, Holywell should need the run but our number one fancy is Un Temps Pour Tout who hasn’t quite delivered on his superstar rating but might just do that if he can win off this weight. This is definitely his trip. Our number two fancy is Blaklion, who simply keeps finding under pressure and will love this race. That of course means we are ignoring Smad Place, which may be completely wrong but the weight and his first run mean he is not a proposition for us in what is a belter of a race.
1 unit e/w UnTemps Pour Tout
1 unit e/w Blaklion
3:30 NEWCASTLE At The Races Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Listed Race) Cl1 2m7f91y
Virak’s run in the Charlie Hall was ambitious and he didn’t disgrace himself but as he has seen the backside of Wakanda twice there is no reason that wouldn’t happen again so in that match we would have to favour Wakanda. He ran poorly in the Charlie Hall and needs to put that behind him to have any chance in this race. Katkeau has too much weight according to his trainer’s father, to win this but he could get a place. Definitely Red may have a big future and his Carlisle win was an easy one. He should be spot on for this contest and bigger targets may be on his horizon if he can win this.
1 unit e/w Definitely Red
3:45 NEWBURY Handicap Chase (for The Jim Joel Memorial Trophy) Cl2 2m92y
Ahh, the enigmatic Mr Mole lines up in this race – what will he produce? Its win or nothing with him and we couldn’t tell you any more than his trainer or owner which horse will turn up. He does have talent though. On the other side of the coin is the ultra consistent Parsnip Pete and that may well be what will stop him from winning as he only ever gets let off a pound here and there. Ulck Du Lin is capable and Roman Flight seems to have his jumping tested at this distance more so than at 20 furlongs but he is worth taking a chance with as his figures look good and this slightly slower ground might well help him
1 unit e/w Roman Flight
