Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece is a quick preview of Saturday’s ITV action at Newbury and Newcastle.
Newbury
With Nico de Boinville at Newcastle to ride Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth, James Bowen steps into the spotlight at Newbury. Bowen rides two favourites with leading claims for Nicky Henderson on a strong card. While the Coral Gold Cup may have lost its prestige, the supporting races promise a good afternoon of action.
1:54 – Impose Toi can deliver
Impose Toi looks well-suited to today's trip and goes well fresh. Has leading claims under James Bowen.
No Ordinary Joe, his stablemate, shaped better than the bare result at Cheltenham and has strong claims if the ground is on the soft side.
Inthewaterside is unexposed and could improve for a yard with a good record in this race.
Guard The Moon has progressed this season and capable of better dropped back in trip but needs sharper jumping.
Verdict: Impose Toi is the one to beat, but stablemate No Ordinary Joe and Guard The Moon are also in the mix.
2:25 – Queens Gamble ready to shine
Queens Gamble makes her handicap debut after impressing in novice company. Big chance if she’s ready to roll on seasonal reappearance.
Jeriko Du Reponet and Aston Martini represent Nicky Henderson.Both have claims, with the latter likely to appreciate better ground.
Liari and Ooh Betty have each-way chances but might find this tougher than last time.
Verdict: Queens Gamble has untapped potential on her handicap debut and has leading claims. Jeriko Du Reponet a useful novice last season, could be well ahead of his mark, and his stablemate Aston Martini has each way claims provided the ground isn’t too soft.
3:00 – Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase
I previewed the race in Wednesday’s column which you can find here. There are six qualifiers using the trends that I highlighted and all bar one is on my shortlist. Cue Iron Bridge wins albeit he’s the one I’m not going with.
Colonel Harry is progressive and shaped well on his seasonal return, but stamina is a question mark.
Senior Chief, the Irish raider, looks a major player after an impressive Cheltenham win.
Broadway Boy has a 10lb pull with Senior Chief and could reverse form over this slightly longer trip.
Galia Des Liteaux is solid stayer who goes well in big fields and the mud. General En Chef is a wildcard from France.
Henry’s Friend remains unexposed and warmed up for this over hurdles. Live contender.
Verdict: Senior Chief, Henry’s Friend, Colonel Harry and Broadway Boy are unexposed chasers who could be ahead of their marks. The demands of this race could really suit Broadway Boy.
3:35 – Imperial Saint leads the way
Imperial Saint is unbeaten over fences and has more to come despite a 10lb rise in the weights.
Issar d'Airy has solid form over C&D and loves soft ground, making him a big player.
Etalan should improve from his recent reappearance, while I’d Like To Know has the form to feature dropped back in trip.
Verdict: Imperial Saint is on the upgrade and looks the one to beat,but Issar d’Airy could pounce if the favourite underperforms and I’d Like To Know can get into the places.
Newcastle
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle lacks Constitution Hill but still features a pair of exciting hurdlers in Sir Gino and Mystical Power. They’ve been selectively watering at Newcastle so you have to wonder how many non-runners there will be in the two Newcastle feature races.
2:10 – BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1)
Sir Gino is unbeaten over hurdles and has top-level form. He’s staying over hurdles for now and could prove hard to beat.
Mystical Power impressed with two Grade 1 novice hurdles wins last spring and will like the sound surface.
Verdict: Mystical Power edges it for me intriguing clash with Sir Gino.
3:20 – BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase
Bowtogreatness brings strong form after breaking his duck over fences at Newbury last time. Big claims again.
Marble Sands won the Colin Parker Chase last time but must prove his stamina. If he stays he could make class tell
Kinondo Kwetu and Some Scope need to bounce back after below-par efforts at Cheltenham last time. I don’t think the former likes Cheltenham and he goes well on quick ground. The return to a sound surface and flat track will also suit Some Scope who is on a good mark.
Verdict: Bowtogreatness has leading claims, with top weight Marble Sands the main danger if he stays. Kinondo Kwetu and Some Scope could get into the money at bigger odds.
If you want more final Saturday selections and for December, you can get them here.
I’ll be doing a short column on Sunday looking at an excellent day’s racing at Fairyhouse.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John