The Wine Tipster: “With question marks hanging over plenty of these, this looks a real chance to get back to winning ways”

THIS Saturday’s jumping action focusses on Newbury and Warwick where there is no shortage of equine stars on show. At Newbury in the Game Spirit Chase Greaneteen, who was second to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek, is heavily odds on at Unibet 4/9 to follow up on his Haldon Gold Cup success this season, with last year’s winner Funambule Sivola Unibet 5/1 also in the field.

At Warwick, racegoers are in for a real treat with Jonbon, trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, running in the four-runner Kingmaker Novices Chase’. Jonbon is Unibet 1/5 on to follow up on his Henry VIII Novices’ Chase success at the Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown and this exciting jumper will be heading to the Arkle at The Festival.

Earlier in the card Love Envoi is Unibet 8/15 on to take the Warwick Mares’ Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson’s Theatre Glory looking to be the main challenger. Love Envoi has the Mares’ Hurdle at The Festival as her main target, in what is going to be a tremendous renewal!

Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

1.30 Warwick – Warwick Castle Handicap Chase (2m 4f)

Mackenburg (nap) lost his unbeaten record over fences last month when doing all his best work late on after finding the drop back to 2m against him at Doncaster. On his previous start in November he had won comfortably on good ground at the same course over pretty much the same distance as here at Warwick. He had looked progressive before that and there is plenty in his favour here with a small field, stepping back up in distance and with good ground sure to suit.

1.50 Newbury – Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Jatiluwih has finished fourth on his two hurdle starts this season, running well on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham and then looked to be unsuited by the soft conditions at Ludlow. Jatiluwih has the ideal conditions here, namely the right trip on good ground, and with question marks hanging over plenty of these, this looks a real chance to get back to winning ways.

2.25 Newbury – Denman Chase Grade 2 (2m 7½f)

Fanion D’Estruval has looked more like a stayer than a middle-distance horse this year, finishing with something left in the tank at Wetherby on Boxing Day in the Rowland Meyrick when third to the smart Into Overdrive. In November in the big handicap chase at Newbury he never gave himself a chance with a very slow start and ran through beaten horses on good ground to finish seventh to Le Milos. The addition of cheekpieces will be a benefit and Fanion D’Estruval has the ability to claim a good prize this season.

3.35 Newbury – Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)

Deere Mark can build on last performance, when looking progressive after coming to the last on the bridle at Kempton and winning by a cosy 1½ lengths with a visually impressive success. This six-year-old came from off the pace that day and with at least five front runners in the field the same tactics can be employed here. Deere Mark is having only his fifth start over hurdles, will go improving and has won on good ground.

Onemorefortheroad shouldn’t be overlooked here at a big price, as on his only start at Newbury he won a Listed race in November 2021. He admittedly hasn’t hit top form this season, as he was favourite last time out at Ascot in November when travelling well until two out before fading tamely, though the Neil King yard were not firing at the time and no other explanation could be found.

Last season he won three times, with two victories on good ground and finished in the first four on all his eight starts, including third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. The yard are in better form and Onemorefortheroad is such a talented and thoroughly genuine type that he must be in the each way mix with ground conditions in his favour.