ACCORDING to the forecast on Friday morning it is going to be a wet Saturday at both Newbury and Haydock, with the ground going to be testing after a wet week. At Newbury the feature is the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle, which in the last eight years has not been won by a biggest priced winner than Bravemansgame at 5/2 back in 2020. The last two Challow Novices’ Hurdle victories have also gone to the Paul Nicholls yard, with Stage Star and Hermes Allen respectively, which reflects the Grade 1 status.

Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson will be hoping that Willmount Unibet 6/4 will continue the trend of short-priced winners after looking so impressive at Newbury on his hurdling debut.

Let’s hope the forecast is drier than currently predicted.

Enjoy whether at Newbury or Haydock or watching on ITV Racing or Racing T.V.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

1.15 Newbury – Handicap Chase (2m ½f)

Martator came over from France to join the Venetia Williams last season and followed a hurdling campaign without success whilst looking like chasing will bring out further progress.

He has had three starts over fences and on his penultimate appearance finished third to Brave Kingdom, who won next time out. Martator delivered his best performance so far when second to the totally unexposed Etalon here ten days ago, jumping well and battling on once headed. The handicapper has nudged him up a pound for that but this looks eminently more winnable and with no ground concerns if any rain arrives, he looks ready to win now.

1.25 Haydock – Last Fling Handicap Chase (3m 4½f)

Fortescue (nap) ran over this distance in the Grand National Trial back in February when coming from the back of the 14-runner field to finish a distant fifth to Quick Wave and given the current heavy ground plus the forecast rain this has the potential to turn into a last-man-standing contest and if that’s the case, you’d always want Fortescue on your side.

He had a good run on reappearance when fourth to Welsh National winner Nassalam over a trip too short for him, and the handicapper is now starting to give him a chance, having been on a mark a little too high for much of last season. He’ll relish the ground and can outstay these off top weight with Hugh Nugent claiming three pounds.

Unibet are paying MONEY BACK IF 2ND in this race!

2.25 Newbury – Mandarin Handicap Chase (3m 2f)

Atalanta Brave is unexposed over fences, having only had the two starts after a successful campaign over hurdles last season when twice victorious. On jumping debut at Cheltenham’s October meeting, he jumped a little stickily at Cheltenham first time out and in hindsight probably needed the run more than was first thought in novice company. However, Atalanta Brave certainly improved plenty at Exeter in a handicap when second to Enjoy Your Life, when looking much sharper too. Atalanta Brave has won on soft ground over hurdles and surely this point-to point winner has more to come in a race where there is little recent winning form in the field.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race

Certainly Red carries top weight here with 12st 2lb and three of the last five winners have won carrying 11st 11lb and above so this is not prohibitive to a big run in testing conditions.

Certainly Red won three races on the bounce last season and on his two appearances in this campaign he has finished fourth in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, with a third in Sandown’s London National on heavy going at the Tingle Creek Meeting earlier this month. This nine-year-old has the credentials to run a big race in what is not the deepest renewal of the Mandarin.

3.00 Newbury – Challow Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (2m 4½f)

Willmount looked a very exciting prospect over hurdles when winning at Newbury last month by 13 lengths when accelerating clear after a good round of jumping. Admittedly the form hasn’t been franked by the second and third, though the fourth Joker De Mai did win a handicap next time out. Willmount looked visually impressive that day and he can follow up again for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, as he won his two bumpers and point-to-point in good style.

Farnoge is the each way selection, as he won a bumper on Midlands National day at Uttoxeter and has won his two hurdle starts, including last time out at Ascot when still looking liked he lacked some experience, whilst the third Excello has franked the form since. Farnoge looks the type to really step up and this five-year-old has won on the heavy so the testing conditions will not hinder him.

The Wine Tipster’s Fourfold

The corks really could be popping if this one lands!

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