Danger 1: Inglis Drever
13 are due to go to post in this 3 mile Handicap Chase and 3 of the field faced each other just over 2 weeks ago here at Newcastle in an almost identical race to this. On that day Jethro Tull fared best finishing second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Stravaigin. Day Du Roy was a further 22+ lengths back in 6th. Jethro Tull received 10lbs from Stravaigin that day and now 8lbs for this race. His first two outings this season, after a lengthy lay off, both resulted in being pulled up, but since then he has been placed twice over course and distance. Stravaigin has James Reveley on board claiming a useful 3lbs. He has a distance win in Novice company to his name and the ground shouldn’t be a problem. Can he reverse form with Jethro Tull? Day Du Roy is only 4lbs lighter than Jethro Tull. I can’t see him troubling the judge. Top weight is carried by Ngong Hills who has been victorious in his last 2 starts. They have come over 1 furlong further and shorter than the trip here. The unknown factor for him is the ground. It is currently Good to Soft. The majority of his runs have been on Good ground and his wins have been on Firm and Good to Firm. His only effort on Soft/Heavy ended in being pulled up. If it stays dry and the ground isn’t too much on the soft side then he has a big chance. The weight will also be key. Of the rest Festival King (if sorting out his inconsistencies) and Alto Stratus could trouble the places. - VE
Selection: Jethro Tull
Danger 1: Ngong Hills
Danger 2: Stravaigin
Newbury 2:40 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1)
Well the Hennessy Gold Cup is always a competitive handicap chase and this year it is no different with 17 set to run in this grade 3 race. My antepost selection has been Big Bucks, who I know is thought to be a future Gold Cup horse, he is only 5 years old and must have come on for another summer on his back. He has beaten the likes of Albertas Run when he was stepped up to 3 miles 1 furlong, that race was very impressive and it clearly shows that the further they go the better Big Bucks should be. I am not a fan of Albertas Run, he never really convinces me in his races but he holds Air Force One through a line off Roll Along, so has to come into contention. Air Force One looks to be harshly treated for his return run this year, going up in the handicap despite having the run of the race and still not proving good enough, I have to take him on. At the bottom of the handicap is Island Flyer who was held on the line by another Nicholls horse last time in Cornish Sett, and this race looks to be even tougher, the light weight could make him hard to chase down if getting a lead. Character Building is also towards the bottom of the handicap and looks to be returning to form after a full season out, we know he likes it around here and therefore he has to be high on the shortlist. However the two dangers I am putting forward are Slim Pickings, who looks primed for this race and is a decent EW price and Dear Villez who stayed really well last time out in a 3 miles handicap chase in Ireland. - JB
Selection: Big Bucks
Danger 1: Slim Pickings
Danger 2: Dear Villez
Newcastle 3:00 WBX.com Rehearsal Chase (Listed Handicap) (4 yo+) 3m
This race has been won in recent times by such horses as See More Business, Sir Rembrandt, One Knight and Neptune Collonges. So who join them next? There are some interesting runners in this one. Last year’s winner Harmony Brig lines up again, although he has done nothing of note since taking this and there are others preferred to him. Battlecry is the forecast favourite. He was 3rd in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham to Albertas Run (who goes in the Hennessey along with Air Force One). Roll Along and Joe Lively have come out of that race and won nicely this season, so hopefully Battlecry will improve on his 2nd place a fortnight ago. The trip should be ideal for him and his trainer is in fine form. The main opposition could come in the form of Finger Onthe Pulse, although I have my doubts as to whether he is suited by this 3 mile trip. He has only tried a 3 mile+ trip once and came last to Air Force One at Punchestown. Anything on the soft side will test his stamina further. L’Antartique is having his first run of the season and is one that goes well fresh. Only once in 4 seasons has he failed to win on his first run. Last year’s Paddy Power Chase winner has a great chance if lasting the distance. Aces Four is from the same stable and is another having his first run of the season. He saddles top weight here. A course and distance winner 2 year’s ago, he could be in the frame if back to his best. One Sniff could have place claims too. He has only had 5 lifetime runs, winning 3 of them. Can he cope with a big step up in class is the question? - VE
Selection: Battlecry
Danger 1: L’Antartique
Danger 2: One Sniff
3:15 NEWBURY: totesport.com Handicap Chase (Class 2)
This handicap chase revolves around the possible improvement in form of the seasonal debutantes Billyvoddan, New Little Bric and Randwick Roar. The former is a nine year old who looks exposed at this trip and this seems a handicapping ploy for another attempt at the Grand National, he is lightly raced but will need to be at his very best to win this off top weight. Randwick Roar is an interesting runner, he was very progressive in January and February before having a 9 months break, he is relatively lightly raced for a 9 year old and should improve more this season, however this may prove too tough. New Little Bric is a younger horse and whilst disappointing in the past he definitely has the ability to win this. He has had the customary wind op and looks likely to progress from this mark. Classic Fiddle is short in the market but open to much more improvement and she jumps right at the fences, which will not suit around here. The other main danger is Yes Sir, a horse who is fit and ran a massive race in the Paddy Power before falling 4 out. If he is over that mistake he should make this a real test and looks set to make a massive run of it.
Selection – New Little Bric
Danger 1 – Yes Sir
Danger 2 – Classic Fiddle
Newbury 3:45 totescoop6 Intermediate Hurdle Race (Ltd Handicap)
Another competitive hurdle race for the Scoop6 punters to unravel and Squadron seems to be the obvious selection. His form this season is brilliant in regards to this field, having chased Crack Away Jack home on seasonal reappearance before winning nicely at Aintree and then finishing a good 5th in the Greatwood Hurdle. The worry with Squadron is that he is becoming very high in the handicap; therefore I feel others could provide a shock win. I like Hot Diamond, a horse who runs really nicely without getting his head in front, and this looks tougher for him and therefore he is taken on. The selection therefore is Khyber Kim, who was very smart on the flat and is very lightly raced over hurdles, his form behind Pierrot Lunaire looks really nice in this heat and he must run a big race carrying top weight. He could turn into a Champion Hurdle horse if he proves his well being here. The other danger looks to be the very useful bumper horse Helens Vision. - JB
Selection: Khyber Kim
Danger 1: Squadron
Danger 2: Helens Vision
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