THIS is going to be a Super Saturday of jump racing with a brilliant card at Newbury, where they have a maximum field of 24 in their feature, whilst at Newcastle the Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a fascinating renewal, with Constitution Hill Unibet 7/4 for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, The New Lion Unibet 15/8, and Anzadam Unibet 2/1.
It would be great to see Constitution Hill return to winning form, and his recent Newbury gallop confirmed his well-being; however, The New Lion, who is unbeaten after five starts, is a real threat.
At Newbury there are varying reports regarding the amount of rainfall on Saturday, with one app going from 29mm on Thursday morning to now at Friday lunchtime showing 5mm. This forecast certainly works in the favour of Gorgeous Tom (see below) in the feature, and whilst we are talking about the big race, I tipped up Myretown in the Ultima Chase in my Unibet blog when he delivered an imperious performance.
Myretown Unibet 9/2 is the favourite here, and with his tremendous potential he could follow up, though I am concerned about him not having had a prep run.
Enjoy whether at Newbury or Newcastle or watching #athome on ITV Racing.
See you at Newbury.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster.
1.40 Newbury – Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
Lud’or will relish the softer conditions, and he showed why at Bangor on seasonal debut when winning by 27 lengths from Malicash, with many good performers in the field.
He had some useful form last year but didn’t always finish his race off as the form figures of 33212 suggested but looks a different proposition for this season.
The handicapper has asked for plenty more of his Bangor victory, taking him from a rating of 123 to 136; however, there could still be plenty of progression to come.
Santos Blue might be carrying top weight, yet this race has been won in recent renewals with Red Risk carrying 11-12 and Flash The Steel with 11-11. Santos Blue has won six times over hurdles, including on his last appearance in February at Newbury when winning over three miles, though he has won at this trip too. That success took him to a career high mark and this consistent type will be fit for his seasonal debut.
2.15 Newbury – Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Indeevar Bleu (nap) could still be ahead of the handicapper, and if ready for his seasonal reappearance, this improving type has a strong chance.
He looked impressive on his final start of the season at Ffos Las in April on good to soft when taking the lead after the last and moving smoothly clear. The form is solid, as the runner-up, Stream Of Stars, won on his next start, and this showed how Indeevar Bleu had steadily progressed during the season.
In his favour too is the fact that he also proven on good-to-soft, soft and heavy conditions.
2.55 Newbury – Handicap Chase (3m 2f)
Katate Dori needed the run at Aintree earlier this month over hurdles when racing prominently and then fading to finish last of seven behind Impose Toi in a race where two hurdles were omitted on each circuit, which didn’t suit him either.
Remember, in eight starts over hurdles he has not won a race and has finished third on three occasions, which doesn’t compare with his chase form.
Over fences he has won on three occasions from five starts, with his most eye-catching performance at Kempton when taking a premier handicap, beating Hyland by fifteen lengths in a competitive race.
Katate Dori then failed to perform behind Myretown in the Ultima Chase at the Festival, and it might have been that his Kempton exertions had an effect.
He’s much better than that, and with a prep run in the bank, he will run a big race with conditions to suit.
Gorgeous Tom showed his well-being when running over an inadequate trip at the start of the month at Down Royal, finishing a good second to Firefox after jumping well.
His three previous appearances had all been in Grade 1 company, where he finished fourth in all these starts, including in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham when staying on at the finish over three miles and half a furlong.
His seasonal debut was really encouraging; this step up in distance will suit him, and Gorgeous Tom will be right in the mix.
3.35 Newbury – Handicap Chase (2m ½f)
Javert Allen won twice last season in four starts, with a success at Newbury last December over this trip when jumping well to beat Harper’s Brook comfortably.
On seasonal debut at Aintree, he did too much from the front and finished fourth after fading at the penultimate fence. He jumped and travelled well and can secure his second victory at Newbury.
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