Its day two of the Winter Carnival at Newbury on Saturday afternoon and there are a total of seven races to enjoy (12.10pm-3.35pm) with the Ladbrokes Trophy at 3.00pm being the centrepiece.
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 Saturday’s Newbury races.
12.10 – Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed, 2m½f)
MRS HYDE arrives in terrific form having landed a pair of Listed contests at Kempton and Wetherby, most recently when showing plenty guts to fend off Grade 1-winning rival Verdana Blue last month. On that evidence she’s very much the one to beat and holds a standout chance. Alan King’s Midnight Ginger impressed with a winning start over timber at Fakenham and this smart bumper performer looks to have a bright future in this sphere.
Selection: Mrs Hyde @ 5/2
12.40 – Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m7½f)
Next Destination chased home Roksana in a Grade 2 hurdles contest last month at Wetherby on his first start for more than two years as he impressed new trainer Paul Nicholls. He’s got the potential to be useful over fences. KALOOKI however has experience jumping fences after winning well at this course earlier in the month. His technique over the obstacles can improve and, in that case, he’ll be tough to beat. Acey Milan won at Aintree on chase bow last month and is perhaps being overlooked in the betting.
Selection: Kalooki @ 2/1
1.15 – Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase (2m6½f)
HIGHEST SUN hasn’t built on last December’s Plumpton win but his comeback run at Hereford had more to like in it. Colin Tizzard’s horses are tending to come forward on their reappearances and perhaps he’s on a workable mark for this open heat. It will be some training feat if Paul Nicholls can prepare 2018 winner Kapcorse to score on his first start over fences since, while Court Master is 3-6 over fences and amongst the reliable options.
Selection: Highest Sun @ 9/1
1.50 – Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)
Tea Clipper remains in superb fettle and arrives here having won the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on his reappearance. Tom Lacey’s charge is up 7lb in the ratings today and perhaps was suited by the omission of the final jumping test last time, but he retains potential for better upped slightly in trip. Dr Richard Newland has seen ON THE WILD SIDE record a pair of minor hurdling successes at Hexham this autumn and an opening handicap mark of 128 – allied to Charlie Hammond’s 3lb claim – could see him underestimated on his first foray in this sphere.
Selection: On The Wild Side @ 11/2
2.25 – Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Intermediate Hurdle (2m½f)
Nicky Henderson sends out unbeaten mare Marie’s Rock and she’s proving popular in the betting. Her Taunton Listed novice success last December isn’t overly strong form and she’s facing some race-fit and promising rivals now. Four-year-olds do well in this race and both Botox Has and THYME WHITE make plenty appeal. Paul Nicholls’ impressive Chepstow winner shades the verdict as he gets 5lb from Gary Moore’s charge today. Both were impressive in their last-time-out wins, Harry Cobden’s mount travelling like a dream before coming away to win. He’s gone up 11lb in the ratings but looks progressive enough to cope.
Selection: Thyme White @ 7/1
3.00 – Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3 Handicap, 3m2f)
As fiercely competitive as we come to expect from this great race, with 17 runners and lots of plausible winners. Vinndication may have the class to win but a big weight must be defied and his Kim Bailey-trained stablemate TWO FOR GOLD is maybe underestimated instead. His comeback at Wetherby (second) was satisfactory and he’s open to further progress now back up in distance. Secret Investor has seen the form of his Chepstow win well-advertised since and rates a key player if he handles the hustle and bustle of this big field, while it wouldn’t be a shock if Copperhead gets back on track for a yard with a superb recent record in this race. A replication of February’s Ascot win would make him a huge player.
Selection: Two For Gold @ 10/1
3.35 – Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (2m½f)
Haldon Gold Cup second Moonlighter is a clear danger to all here, especially with likely favourite Ibleo taken out early this morning. Hatcher is less obvious but may find this easier than his latest Cheltenham assignment and retains scope for better for Dan and Harry Skelton. He ought to give a decent account in the finale.
Selection: Hatcher @ 9/1