There’s an excellent afternoon of jumps racing in store from Newbury on Wednesday with seven races at the Berkshire layout.
The feature is a Listed Mares’ Chase at 2.00pm and they race on ground described as ‘Good to Soft (Good in places)’ from 12.20pm-3.35pm this afternoon.
You can watch it all via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, alongside all the UK and Irish racing, and our tipster has a race-by-race preview of the Newbury card below.
12.20 – BetVictor Loyalty Club Juvenile Hurdle (2m½f)
Ex-Flat recruits Line Of Descent and ONE JOURNEY should make strides forward in this sphere. The former changed hands for 135,000 gns in October and is in good hands with Warren Greatrex, but Paul Nicholls’ filly One Journey was the smarter performer on the level and was most recently spotted winning a 1m2f soft-ground handicap here off 90 two months ago.
She’s got the best form in that code and the Mastercraftsman filly may get the champion trainer up and running on this card.
Selection: One Journey @ 5/6
12.50 – Prodec Networks Maiden Hurdle (2m½f)
I Am Maximus represents Nicky Henderson and heads the betting. The Authorized gelding beat My Drogo in a Cheltenham bumper last season (only run) and was a close third in a novice hurdle at Exeter over this trip in last month’s return. That form has been franked since.
CARDANO could give him something to fear for Ian Williams. He was putting in a strong first effort over timber at Cheltenham in October when a mistake at the second last did for his chances. That was a hot maiden and he could play a leading role now having gone well since on the Flat (where he was rated 100 at his best).
Selection: Cardano @ 15/2
1.25 – Prodec Networks Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m7½f)
VALSHEDA has plenty of promise here for Nicky Henderson. The Milan gelding won a novice hurdle at Exeter in March (second start) despite a few signs of greenness in the run. He’s been off since but has the scope to do well over fences and an opening mark of 122 could be lenient.
Selection: Valsheda @ 9/4
2.00 – Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Mares’ Chase (Listed, 2m7½f)
Silver Forever won a match here last month on chasing bow and has scope to build on that but Paul Nicholls’ mare is certain to be tested more this afternoon. Bridge Native, Momella and Casablanca Mix have their merits but CHILLI FILLI is the selection. She won in this grade last month at Market Rasen (after Casablanca Mix crashed out late on when probably held) and is set to go well again.
Selection: Chilli Filli @ 4/1
2.35 – BetVictor Wishes Everyone A Merry Christmas EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m4½f)
The hurdling experience points to Shearer and Pull Again Green, both having scope for improvement after one start, but WONDERWALL was a smart bumper horse last season for Richard Spencer (seventh in the Champion at Cheltenham) and the Yeats gelding should transfer that promise across to this discipline fairly quickly. He may be good enough to make a winning start.
Selection: Wonderwall @ 10/3
3.05 – Rachael Blackmore For World Sport Star Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (2m½f)
Tom George has DARLING DU LARGE in sparkling form right now and the mare has won her last three starts at Uttoxeter, Aintree and Wetherby with a degree of assurance that hints she has more to give. The attention of the handicapper is more than offset by Thomas Doggrell’s 8lb claim in the saddle and more success beckons for this in-form mare.
Selection: Darling Du Large @ 10/11
3.35 – Lengthen The Odds At BetVictor Fillies’ ‘Junior’ Open NH Flat Race (1m4½f)
POETIC MUSIC made a winning start in a similar event at Market Rasen in October and has since moved to Fergal O’Brien’s team. She did that in smooth fashion and had a pair of next-time-out winners in behind. A 7lb penalty may not prevent the follow-up unless there’s something above-average amongst the newcomers, of which Irish raider Up And Out is eye-catching.
Selection: Poetic Music @ 11/10
*All odds correct at time of writing.