A fascinating Saturday of jump racing ahead with the Fighting Fifth Hurdle Grade 1 at Newcastle, which sees Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson run both Constitution Hill Unibet 2/9 and Unibet Champion Hurdle second Epatante Unibet 4/1, who dead heated in 2021 with Not So Sleepy, who returns to Newcastle as well.
As well documented, the original plan was for Constitution Hill to appear last weekend at Ascot, where the ground was too quick for this brilliant Festival winner to make his seasonal debut so hence the reason he is taking on his stable companion Epatante, who certainly will be tuned up for this Grade 1 and this mare will be in receipt of seven pounds.
However, Constitution Hill is Unibet 11/10 for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, whilst Epatante is Unibet 33/1 currently and it will be disappointing if the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner by 22 lengths, beating stablemate Jonbon, doesn’t defeat this wonderful mare with Not So Sleepy chasing them home.
At Newbury there is plenty of exciting action with their feature the Gold Cup Handicap Chase, which at the time of writing has sixteen runners in a race, which typically sees a bigger field. There are plenty in with chances though, with my two selections from last year Fiddlerontheroof, who was runner-up, and Remastered, going ominously well when taking a horrible fall four out, lining up once again. Of the outsiders, the classy top weight Fanion D’Estruval Unibet 22/1 has to be worth a small each way wager with Unibet paying five places.
I’ll be heading to Newbury, which is one of the best courses in the country to watch a race develop and with a forecast dry day should see a large crowd.
Enjoy whether at Newbury or Newcastle, as well as watching all the key races #athome on ITV Racing.
Cheers,
The Wine Tipster
1.20 Newbury – Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase (2m 6½f)
Dublin Four looked really good when beating Pink Eyed Pedro at Chepstow in April and travelled really well when coming from off the pace to finish second to the rapidly improving Into Overdrive (who has a great chance in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle at 3.25) at Wetherby in a Grade 3 Handicap last time, looking like the run would put him spot on for this.
He looks sure to be ridden closer to the pace and if he jumps smoothly, he has strong each-way claims with ideal ground conditions.
1.55 Newbury – Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
Porticello has each way claims in a race where there are definitely some unexposed sorts in this and Walking On Air for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson could be thrown in off 132, given they thought he was good enough to tackle Grade 1 company on only his second hurdles start last year, but Porticello is equally open to more improvement now he steps up in trip this year, as he always looked a stayer as a juvenile.
Porticello won three times as a juvenile, including a Grade 1 success at Chepstow on Welsh National day and a 17l win at Haydock when beating Skycutter. He mixed with the very best company last year and was a credible 11l sixth in the Triumph Hurdle to Vauban, who has franked this success as has the third Pied Piper, in what was a strong renewal. The one concern might be the good ground for Porticello, however in the Triumph Hurdle it looked like the ground rode quicker than the official good to soft and this genuine type can run a strong race here.
2.30 Newbury – Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
First Street was marked up each way in my Unibet blog for the big Handicap Hurdle here in February, when third to Glory And Fortune and at The Festival, finishing runner-up in the County Hurdle to State Man, who won the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle Grade 1 at Punchestown last weekend. First Street then didn’t run his race at Aintree when fifth to Jonbon and that appearance should be ignored after a good season with three victories to support his excellent place form. Trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson First Street has won on good ground and has the class to take the Gerry Feilden on seasonal debut.
3.05 Newbury – Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3m 2f)
Le Milos (nap) comfortably won at Bangor on seasonal debut last month, when beating Lord du Mesnil by nearly 5l on his first start since joining Dan Skelton in what was a visually impressive performance in the way he drew clear, with the trainer seeing him as an exciting type. That was his fourth victory over fences, and this included a success in the Masters Handicap at Sandown over three miles last season when holding off course specialist Deise Aba.
There have been concerns raised about Le Milos running on good ground, however he won a novice hurdle on good ground and was third in a chase last season with similar conditions.
Le Milos is a seven-year-old with the right profile as a progressive second season chaser, who is having his ninth jumps start and he is bound to keep improving.
Lord Accord has been in tremendous form this season with a smart win at Cheltenham at The Showcase meeting on good ground when beating The Wolf and then he finished runner-up to Frodon in the Badger Beer at Wincanton with the first two well clear. Lord Accord made a mistake at the last and he would have been much closer as he was staying on well at the time. He certainly has the right profile for this race on his ninth chase start, is very consistent and with conditions to suit has to be right in the mix.
3.40 Newbury – The Jim Joel Memorial Trophy Handicap[ Chase (2m)
Casa Tall for the inform Tom George team, who have been doing well in France too, has a better chance than the odds imply. He was going well when falling here in March in a race won by Monsieur Lecoq, who reopposes here. Casa Tall needed his return run when sixth at Kempton earlier this month behind Frere d’Armes after making progress from the back of the field and there was enough to suggest that he will come on plenty for that appearance. Casa Tall has won over fences on good ground and is a definite each way play.
