It’s an exciting start to Newbury’s two-day Winter Carnival on Friday afternoon with a seven-race card (12.15pm-3.35pm) headlined by outstanding staying hurdler Paisley Park on his seasonal return.
You can watch all the action from Newbury – as well as every race in the UK and Ireland – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has selections for all Friday’s Newbury races.
12.15 – Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (2m)
The microscope will be on FLINTEUR SACRE here as the Nicky Henderson-trained brother to Sprinter Scare commences his career over jumps. He was last spotted winning a bumper at Kempton in February and, as the betting suggests, is expected to make his mark over hurdles quickly. It will be disappointing should the opportunity pass him by.
Selection: Flinteur Sacre @ 2/5
12.45 – Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boosts Chase (Novices’ Limited Handicap, 2m½f)
There are clear and obvious worries over his jumping now but SCARDURA still appeals as being in possession of plenty talent. He didn’t get beyond the sixth fence at Wincanton last time but it’s interesting Neil Mulholland goes again quickly and, at the price, he’s worth giving one more chance to. On form – and with his technique at the obstacles looking sharp – the most likely winner is Eritage for the in-form Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden alliance.
Selection: Scardura @ 18/1
1.15 – Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Novices’ Hurdle (2m4½f)
BRAVEMANSGAME and Bothwell Bridge are the pair to focus on. Nicky Henderson’s Warwick winner was entitled to score with something in hand there at the start of the month having gone off longs odds-on and this is going to be much tougher. He’s got scope for better, but so too does the Ditcheat challenger. His second to Soaring Glory on hurdles bow at Chepstow last month is solid form and he was impressive since when winning at Exeter. The step up in trip holds now fears.
Selection: Bravemansgame @ 5/6
1.50 – Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m4f)
Just three runners but a really exciting novices’ chase on the cards. Caribean Boy has plenty of potential for the Henderson team but lacks a run, so preference is Grade 1-wininng novice hurdler from last season FIDDLERONTHEROOF. Colin Tizzard’s charge was very game in opening his account at the second time of asking over fences at Exeter 16 days ago and can go to the top echelons in this division.
Selection: Fiddlerontheroof @ 10/11
2.25 – Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Handicap Chase (2m4f)
Last year’s winner Oldgrangewood joins Clondaw Castle, San Benedeto and Fidux on the shortlist for place money but DEFI SACRE earns the nod.
He ended last season with a hat-trick of wins over fences, two of them coming around here over short trips, and he began the new term with a pleasing second behind The Big Bite at Aintree (2m, good to soft) early this month.
He’s only rated 1lb higher now and trainer Richard Hobson deploys first-time cheekpieces this afternoon. He remains unexposed at this trip and looks to hold excellent claims from the foot of the weights.
Selection: Defi Sacre @ 8/1
3.00 – Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2, 3m)
What a race in prospect this is, the first major staying hurdles test on the British calendar. Baracouda, Inglis Drever, Bib Buck’s and Unowhatimeanharry are a few of the leading lights to have won this multiple times and PAISLEY PARK can join them.
Emma Lavelle’s charge suffered from an irregular heartbeat in the Stayers’ Hurdle back in March and, with everything suggesting he’s over that now, can reaffirm his position as the best in this division.
If there are lingering problems, McFabulous for the Paul Nicholls team will expose them. He won the Persian War at Chepstow on his return to action last month and looks very promising.
Selection: Paisley Park @ 7/2
3.35 – Play Ladbrokes 1-2-Free On Football Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Hill Sixteen dotted up over fences on his first start for new trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies at Ffos Las nine days ago, he could be thrown in from this mark over hurdles but, the opening 11/4 is long gone and he’s short in the betting now.
I K BRUNEL is one that appeals for Olly Murphy and Aidan Coleman. He has form at this distance on soft ground and while he flattered to deceive somewhat in two chase starts last month, he’s race-fit and could run a big race back over timber.
Selection: I K Brunel @ 18/1