THERE is certainly plenty of quality sparkling on offer today at Newbury, with well-known Cava and Prosecco producer Freixenet, who were founded way back in 1861, sponsoring the 2.15 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, whilst famous Prosecco producer Mionetto, established by Francesco Mionetto in 1887, the sponsor of the 2.50 Handicap Chase for The Harwell Trophy.
Both are intriguing Class 3 contests and in the 2.50 I’m hoping by nap Carlos Du Fruitier, trained by Ben Pauling, can produce yet another strong form line from a hot Boxing Day contest at Kempton.
This Saturday I’m presenting at Ascot, where Altior and Un De Sceaux reoppose in the Clarence House Chase, having provided the race of the season with an emotionally pumped Tingle Creek at Sandown.
These stars are a massive draw and will bring the established jumping fans to Ascot, as well as plenty of new ones too.
See you there!
1.10 Newbury 2m ½f Hurdle
Ar Mest showed last time that he is very effective on good ground, when holding off Percy Street last time out at Leicester with Jamie Moore in the plate. There was plenty to like about that performance and the handicapper raised him six pounds, yet there is more to come and today’s sound surface will suit. The talented Niall Houlihan takes the ride claiming ten pounds.
1.30 Plumpton 2m Hurdle
Baddesley Knight, who is progressing well over hurdles and will find this ground more to his liking that at Sandown last time in the heavy, having shaped well on his penultimate start at Newbury, when fourth to Ecu De La Noverie, with the smart Kempton winner Mister Fisher in second. Today Baddesley Knight’s main rival West Drive, who won on debut, is going to struggle give six pounds away.
2.50 Newbury 2m 7½f Chase
Carlos Du Fruitier (nap) third at Kempton on Boxing Day on his latest start might be one of the hottest pieces of novice handicap chase form this season, with the second Glen Rocco running out an easy winner at the weekend and the fourth Dell Oro successful at Huntingdon on Friday. Carlos Du Fruitier is three pounds well in here and the step back up to 3m will help as he was staying on well at Kempton.
3.40 Plumpton 2m 4½f
Debestyman is a nice-looking horse that has finally started to show something when a close enough fourth at 100/1 to the improving Phoenix Way over this C&D last time out on hurdling debut. Given he was a point-to-point winner, it perhaps wasn’t surprising that a step up in trip (and some obstacles) showed him in a better light. Can get off the mark here.
4.30 Kempton
Gas Monkey was a course and distance winner here last April, staying on impressively that day on his sole career start on the all-weather. The fact that win came off the back of a break makes him interesting off a similar break today. He ran with some consistency after that and this drop back to a mile won’t inconvenience him at all.
