Hi all,
Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2:55) is arguably the most competitive handicap chase this side of the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s renewal is fiercely contested with – yes, you’re reading it right – a maximum field of 24 runners going to post.
Inside today’s main piece you read my thoughts on the best of the action from Newbury plus the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The Coral Gold Cup is one of six races live on ITV this afternoon. Four come from Newbury and two from Newcastle. The Newcastle highlight is the Grade 1 BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2:00), worth £66,549 to the winner. Only five stand their ground but they include Constitution Hill, the exciting Anzadam from the Willie Mullins yard, and one of last season’s top novice hurdlers in The New Lion.
Newbury
There’s plenty of rain forecast for Newbury on Saturday as much as 10mm which should ease the ground further.
1:40 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m4½f
French Ship improved to win a Cheltenham handicap hurdle 36 days ago. The 5yo is progressive and an 8lb rise shouldn’t stop him going close. He handles soft ground, and rain won’t bother him. Strong claims of following up.
Dominic's Fault was travelling well when brought down three out at Sandown in January. He returns from a long break but has gone well fresh before, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Soft ground suits and he’s on a workable mark.
Guard Duty was down the field at Uttoxeter last time, but that run may have come too soon. Two weeks earlier he was a comfortable C&D winner. Needs a strong pace to bring out his best, just as when winning here in March. If he gets it, he’s a player with Cobden back on board.
2:15 – Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) – 2m½f
Indeevar Bleu looked an improved horse after wind surgery and won well on handicap debut at Ffos Las in April. Handles soft ground and a 6lb rise looks fair with more improvement likely.
Live Conti, a Wetherby winner, took another step forward when a 6-length runner-up in the Grade 1 Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Makes seasonal and handicap debut with plenty of upside.
Viyanni shaped nicely when third to Lulamba on stable debut at Ascot in January and bolted up at Ludlow next time. Back from a break but looks well treated on handicap debut if getting a proper stamina test.
Last Rodeo was badly hampered before finishing down the field behind French Ship at Cheltenham last time. Never got involved, wasn’t knocked about, and remains unexposed. The drop in trip is a slight concern, and he’ll need to race handier.
Hot Fuss returned from a summer break with a run on the Flat in the November Handicap, which should have tightened him up. He was a good 6¼-length fourth in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham on his last hurdle start and should be competitive off just 2lb higher.
2:55 – Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m2f
I previewed the race in Wednesday’s column which you can find here.
3:35 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m½f
Javert Allen ran well on his seasonal return when a 5-length fourth to Mambonumberfive at Aintree three weeks ago. A C&D winner last season and handicapped to be competitive. He likes to go forward but won’t get an easy lead here.
Rath Gaul Hill was outpaced and probably outclassed when well beaten in the valuable Red Rum Handicap at Aintree in April. Prior to that he had won on his belated seasonal return over C&D in February. Unbeaten in two starts here and goes well fresh.
Northern challenger Doyen Du Bar made it three wins from six over fences when scoring at Ayr in February. Back from a long layoff on his first start for Nicky Richards but won first time up last season. Return just 6lb higher and open to further improvement this term.
Newcastle
2:00 – BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m1f
Constitution Hill, a former Champion Hurdle winner, won his first two starts last season before the wheels came off with his jumping in the spring. At his best and if his jumping holds up, he wins this.
Anzadam looked smart when winning both starts for Willie Mullins last season. Sidelined by injury since January but unbeaten in four and could be Champion Hurdle class.
The New Lion showed serious pace when winning the Grade 1 Turners Novice Hurdle (2m5f) at Cheltenham. Drops back in trip on return but should handle it. Another who could emerge as a Champion Hurdle contender.
Good luck with your Saturday bets,
John