The two-day Unibet Jumps Season Opener at Chepstow signals the start of the winter national hunt season in the UK and always attracts the top horses, jockeys and trainers, with just under £400,000 in prize money across the two days. The Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 is a cracking renewal featuring the best novice hurdlers in the UK, with seven of the eight runners having won their last start.
In the previous race there is the Veterans’ Handicap Chase, which is Leg 7 of the Veterans Series’ and what a brilliant initiative this has been. This has always been a meeting I look forward to and it is excellent to see that ITV4 are covering these two races on Friday afternoon.
At flat racing headquarters at Newmarket the feature is the Group I Fillies Mile and Commissioning Unibet 4/7 win can make it back-to-back victories for the John and Thady Gosden team after the easy success of Inspiral last year. The unbeaten Commissioning is looking to secure a career hat-trick after a successful debut on the July course and then she followed up with her emphatic Rockfel success in a strong renewal at the Cambridgeshire meeting, when marked up in my Unibet blog.
Commissioning clocked a quick time in the Rockfel and the step up to a mile will suit this daughter of Kingman, who is certainly an impressive individual. The main threat is Polly Pott, who has strong each way claims and who I have marked up below.

Enjoy whether at Chepstow or Newmarket or enjoy the coverage #athome.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

1.50 Newmarket – Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes Group 3 (5f)

Rogue Spirit will not win any awards in the paddock, as he will get worked up and start sweating, however don’t let that put you off as he is a very smart individual on a racecourse. Rogue Spirit’s success at Haydock last time out was impressive in the way he dispatched the rest of the field, when winning on the bridle with ears pricked. The handicapper was impressed too and raised him from a mark of 88 to 96. Stall 2 will really work here as Rogue Spirit can make a beeline for the rail and make all to hold off the favourite Prince Of Pillo, who is drawn in stall 1.
Unibet 13/2 each way

2.10 Chepstow – Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 (2m 3½f)

Quid Pro Quo can take a strong renewal of the Unibet Persian War, having shown that he has plenty of speed and can act on the quick ground. This lightly raced type is having only his fifth career start and won easily on good ground at Warwick over this trip in May and then followed up at Newton Abbot comfortably. He can go on improving and can take this Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2.
Unibet 13/8 win

Gentle Connections, stablemate of Quid Pro Quo, can reward each way players here. This mare has won her last four starts, with Gentle Connections most recent appearance back in June when winning easily. The quick conditions suit, trip is all good and this mare can step up to this level.
Unibet 14/1 each way

2.25 Newmarket – Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes Group 3 (7f)

Rage Of Bamby was my each way selection for the Rockfel and she obliged, finishing third to Commissioning, in a race that was run in a quick time. Rage Of Bamby stepped up again there and this likeable type, who won her first two career starts is definitely open to more improvement and can strike from stall one, which will suit her running style.
Unibet 9/2 win

3.35 Newmarket – Fillies’ Mile Group 1 (1m)

Polly Pott looks the biggest threat to Commissioning and has to be an each way selection after her four-timer, including on her last start her blistering performance in the May Hill at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival. Polly Pott was always travelling well at the back of the field and then moved smoothly through to take up the lead from a furlong out to beat Novakai by a length and a half. The first two were well clear of the field and Polly Pott recorded a very good time too. There is no reason to think why she won’t step up once again and she will be a serious threat to the favourite.
Unibet 17/2 each way

4.10 Newmarket – Old Rowley Cup Handicap (1m 4f)

Educator (nap) was highly fancied on his first start for 170 days at Salisbury last week, however Educator clearly looked in need of the run and was already being pushed along from the three-furlong marker. He could never make a challenge to the winner Okeechobee and he finished second beaten over four lengths. This smart colt, whose career form figures are 021-12, will be much sharper here and if you rewatch his victorious seasonal debut on the Rowley Mile at the Craven meeting over one mile two furlongs there is no doubt that the extra two furlongs will suit Educator. He has a strong chance of securing a victory and can hold off La Yakel and First Ruler.
Unibet 11/2 win