Denman going for a third Hennessy, the return of Big Buck's and Peddlers Cross taking on Champion hurdler Binocular in a re-arranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle...it all makes for a cracking day's racing at Newbury on Saturday.
11:55 sportingbet.com Novices´ Hurdle 2m110y
It's an early start due to the extra race and CLASSIC VINTAGE can get us off to a flyer. Trained by Amanda Perrett, who does well with her small band of jumpers, the four-year-old arrives here fit and in good form having finished fourth (of 22) on the flat three weeks ago. He's an interesting recruit to hurdles. Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls do well at this meeting so you have to respect their respective runners, Secret World and Teshali, but they will be over-bet as a result of their connections and the selection should represent some value.
12:25 stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle Grade 1 2m110y
All eyes will be on Binocular, who is odds-on with most firms, but there are good reasons for taking on the Champion Hurdle hero. For one, the last title holder to win here was Beech Road in 1990 and it's rare for the Fighting Fifth winner to have even run in that race. It's also worth remembering his disappointing fifth in this race 12 months ago and, with the Champion Hurdle as his ultimate target, he's most unlikely to be fully wound up here. William Hill go a standout even money but I'm not tempted even at that price.
The obvious alternative is Peddlers Cross and Donald McCain's unbeaten gelding has a similar profile to recent winners Go Native, Straw Bear, Arcalis and Barton, who were all top winning top novices the season before. However, while he's got winning form over 2m, he did most of his winning over 2m4f and 2m5f last season and the drop back in trip in what could be a slow tactical affair is a worry.
Therefore, I'm going to take a chance on STARLUCK, who has 12lb to find with Binocular on official figures but has "strengthened up amazing well over the summer", according to his trainer Alan Fleming. This small field will suit him ideally as he can use his potent turn of foot at the business end and his first time out record is impeccable. He's also a tasty 11/2 with Sportingbet.
12:55 sportingbet.com Amateur Riders´ Handicap Chase 3m2f110y
Kim Bailey has his string in good form having sent out 21 winners this term (from 90 runners / 23%) and he can strike again here with SARDE. The six-year-old won with plenty in hand at Market Rasen nine days ago and a 5lb rise for that success looks more than fair. He can score at the expense of Alan King's Rustarix, who has been 4lb higher for his win at Cheltenham last time, form which gives him the beating of the fourth Noun De La Thinte.
1:30 sportingbet.com Novices´ Handicap Chase (for the Fulke Walwyn Trophy) 2m6f110y
Kim Bailey's Regal Approach will strip fitter for his reappearance at Ffos Las earlier this month and should go well, but preference is for Alan King's STONEY'S TREASURE, who showed he is still improving with an eye-catching third on his return to action at Fontwell recently. That will have put him spot on for this and his fitness edge can prove decisive.
2:00 sportingbet.com Intermediate Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Registered As The Gerry Feilden Hurdle) 2m110y
This looks the most competitive renewal of this race for many a year and a chance can be given to plenty of the runners. However, TOCCA FERRO looked a horse to follow this winter when winning at Ascot recently and is fancied to defy an 8lb rise. That might seem harsh considering he won by a fast diminishing head from Hibiki, but the runner-up had the benefit of a run and was flattered to finish so close as the winner idled dramatically after hitting the front. Always highly regarded by his trainer Emma Lavelle, who has made a blistering start to the season, it's unlikely he will be running in handicaps for much longer and is a confident selection.
2:30 sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m110y
BIG BUCK'S is just about the best staying hurdler we have seen for many a season and is impossible to oppose here, although he cannot be considered a betting proposition at 2/7 (Paddy Power). Granted, his ultimate target is a third win in the World Hurdle in March and might not be fully wound up here. However, he's different class to his rivals and it will be a major shock if he doesn't make it nine wins from nine starts over hurdles. Duke Of Lucca, a fair staying novice last season, looks best for the forecast.
3:05 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) Grade 3 3m2f110y
A third win for Denman would bring the roof off Newbury's grandstand and I for one will be cheering him home if he's get any chance jumping the last. However, while my heart says Denman, my head says he's got to put in a career-best performance at the age of 10 to win and the concession of lumps of weight to some seriously talented rivals may prove beyond him.
Second season chasers Weird Al, Diamond Harry and Burton Port will give him plenty to think about but they still have something to prove from out of the handicap and preference is for course specialist MADISON DU BERLAIS. The winner in 2008 has been dropped in the weights after a largely disappointing campaign last season and gets in here with just 10st 1lb. Granted, it's a minor leap of faith to see him returning to his very best but he loves Newbury - has won three of his four starts here and finished fourth to Denman in the 2007 Hennessy in the other - and ran with plenty of zest when second over hurdles on his reappearance. At 16/1 (Paddy Power), I'm prepared to give him a chance.
3:40 sportingbet.com Handicap Chase 2m4f
This is another open and competitive race and PIRAYA is just a tentative selection. David Pipe's chaser had cheekpieces on for his comeback run and posted a solid effort in defeat over a trip too short for him. He's not the easiest of rides but is only 2lb higher here and should improve for a return to 2m 4f.
Selections:-
11.55 Classic Vintage
12.25 Starluck
12.55 Sarde
1.30 Stoney's Treasure.
2.00 Tocca Ferro (NAP)
2.30 Big Buck's
3.05 Madison Du Berlais (each-way)
3.40 Piraya
