Newbury

12:05 Betfred ‘5k BTO Cash Draw Today’ Juvenile Hurdle (Class 3), 2m 69y

This is a field full of debutantes and inexperienced horses. I like Alan King as a trainer at Newbury and he does exceptionally well with his juveniles year in year out.

Selection: Nayati 13/8 win

12:40 Betfred ‘Supports Jack Berry House’ Introductory Hurdle (Class 4), 2m 69y

Dell Oro was deemed good enough to run in a Punchestown bumper last year, albeit finishing last. That’s a good indicator as to how high Gary Moore thinks of his youngster. He was impressive in his debut over hurdles and that’s relatively fair form when you look through the runners in behind. The ground is an unknown and if a big price (which I doubt) perhaps is worth chancing.

Kim Bailey’s runner, First Flow is of interest here. He has that all important experience on the ground and faces the same penalty as Dell Oro for winning last time out. He beat Al Shahir on that occasion who has also faced the exciting Kalashnikov, when beaten as the short priced favourite. Al Shahir has then come out again and won since, which gives the form a strong look about it.

Selection: First Flow 7/4 win

13:15 Betfred ‘Racing’s Biggest Supporter’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3), 2m 92y

This is a very weak race! Saint Calvados makes his debut in Britain having come over from France to Harry Whittington’s yard. He has dubiously been put on a mark of 143, which means he’s carrying plenty of weight on debut in Heavy ground. You’d like to think having come from France, he would be accustomed racing in such conditions, but carrying that weight in that ground is a big ask for any horse.  I couldn’t have him here on debut.

The one I like is Chirico Vallis. He’s run well in testing conditions in the past when over in Ireland with Gordon Elliot and was highly regarded as a novice hurdler. Perhaps didn’t live up to his lofty reputation, now finds himself with Niel Mulholland and is 2 from 3 over fences, one of them was a wide margin win in heavy conditions (albeit in a match race). He shouldn’t find conditions a problem and looks value when you compare him with his competitors.

Selection: Chirico Vallis 7/4 win

13:50 Betfred Wishing You A Very Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle (Class 2), 2m 4f 118y

Huntsmans Son has gone up 18 pounds since winning last time out. It’s a big ask to follow that up in this company even when you consider James Bowen takes off 5 pounds of that. The young jockey is riding out of his skin and will be hard to oppose him in this kind of form.

Diable De Sivola made an eye catching debut this season, having been ridden after only a circuit and staying on to finish second at Fontwell. He then ran off the same mark to finish a creditable fourth at Cheltenham on soft to heavy conditions. He would be my pick here again off the same mark under Lizzie Kelly.

Selection: Diable De Sivola 4/1 win

14:25 Betfred Mandarin Handicap Chase (Class 3), 3m 1f 214y

I’m keen on Wuff here, in what I believe are his favoured conditions. I think Wuff thrives in soft conditions on flat tracks and will relish this stamina testing 3 mile chase. He travelled like the winner on his seasonal reappearance before running out of petrol in the home straight and quickly emptied when challenging making his challenge to the eventual winner. Having said all of that, I’m slightly concerned by the fairly quick turn around of about 2 weeks.

The problem is, I really strongly fancy Knockanrawley here as well. He has strong form not only on heavy ground, but also he’s run very consistently on his last outings and has shwon an aptitude for extended trips past 3 miles, soft conditions and has also won at Newbury on his last visit there.

I cannot split the two and will do a reverseforcast with both. If you put a gun to my head I’d say Knockanrawley would be my pick of the two.

Selection: Wuff 13/2 each way & Knockanranwley 6/1 each way

15:00 Betfred Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1), 2m 4f 118y

This is a very weak renewal of the race, considering the star quality we had on show last year. Poetic Rhythm has probably the best form in the race but the ground would be a concern for me, however you could argue it will be an unknown for most of these young horses.

Trainer of Mulcahys Hill, Warren Greatrex, expressed that his mount will absolute love conditions and indicated it couldn’t be soft enough for him. He’s a lofty price at 16/1 about a horse who is garaunteed to like conditions. He’s done everything right over hurdles so far without being flashy.

The one who I am keen to take a risk on is Way Back Then. I loved how he shaped on debut, running right to the line in determined fashion. He perhaps got lucky that day with second Secret Advisor making a bad mistake at the last, but I think there’s still more to come from Way Back Then, I think that form at at Kempton is strong.

Selection: Way Back Then 9/2 win & Mulcahys Hill 16/1 each way

15:35 Betfred TV Limited Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3), 2m 6f 93y

Rocklander will take all the beating here. Have what you like on Rocklander, he wins!

Selection: Rocklander 7/4 win

 

Selections elsewhere…

Haydock

11:50 Du Soleil 13/8 win

12:25 Jonniesofa 6/5 win

13:00 Ravensdale 9/4 win

13:35 Fingerontheswitch 10/1 each way

14:10 Lessons In Milan 7/1 each way & Gold Opera 6/1 each way

Taunton

13:25 Silent Steps 13/8 win

14:35 Gores Island 5/1 win

15:15 Sunshade 6/5 win