Fresh from his week hiatus in the Dubai sunshine, Tom Stanley is back to help guide you through Saturday’s action from Newbury and Warwick…
The good stuff keeps on coming and this weekend is really the last of the recognised ‘trial’ races for Cheltenham.
Anything after this tends to be considered a little close to the festival and for all we’ve fairly small fields, it’s more competitive this weekend, certainly in the Graded races, than we’ve seen in the past.
The Betfair Hurdle is competitive too though it’s certainly a smaller field than we’ve become accustomed to over the years. That’s where we start…
Both Deasy and Steve are with the Nicky Henderson second-string First Street and Steve also wants his first string on side. I feel Broomfield Burg is a bit of a bridle monkey though and would be laying him if he hits odds on in-running. I’ll chance last year’s second Fifty Ball who rocks up here off the same mark. Natalie is with the Nicholls runner Knappers Hill who wasn’t too far behind Jonbon at Ascot.
Fascinating that Bravemansgame runs in a handicap and I really can’t see him being beaten. He’s too short for Steve though. Deasy is sitting this one out whilst Natalie thinks Fern Hill is worth a nibble at 13.0 at the time of recording.
Both Deasy and I think Marie’s Rock is worth a go back up in grade and are happy to put a line through her Lanzarote run when badly hampered before being pulled up. She’s better than that. Steve is small stakes win for Whitehotchillifili who wasn’t beaten far in a better race at Ascot last time.
Steve and I are with Whatsupwithyou who is just so well treated on his Cheltenham run last March that he has to be worth a nibble. There was some promise last time at least. Natalie likes course and distance winner Polish whilst Deasy feels Risk and Roll should go well – he needs a win here if he’s to guarantee a run in the Pertemps next month.
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Good race and an interesting one. I can’t have Third Time Lucki on the quick back up but Deasy thinks he’s the bet at the prices. I’m with Edwardstone who has won around here and should have the race run to suit whilst Natalie likes the progressive Brave Seasca for a team in great form.
Three against one here with the panel thinking Royal Pagaille is the one to be on. He looked very good last time and Natalie thinks there’s more to him than being a Haydock specialist. I think Clan Des Obeaux is a fair bet at 2.0 though. He’s far too good for these on his day and I think too much is being made of the Nicholls horses running poorly.
Steve and Deasy are in the Sceau Royal camp who has won here before and they argue is the best of these. Hitman might have a hole in him but he ran with promise in a first-time tongue tie at Sandown and that form suggests he should be closer to the favourite in the betting. Natalie is with team Venetia again and says Funambule Sivola is worth his place up in grade.
Again Steve and I agree. Riders Onthe Storm is a very well treated horse and shaped well on first start for new connections, for all his follow up run was disappointing. Deasy makes the case for the Irish raider Dinny Lacey whilst Natalie is with Our Power, if pushed.
Best of luck!
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