Saturday’s ITV4 races
There are just half a dozen runners in the field for the Grade One Betfred Challow Hurdle at Newbury, but five were winners last time out, all are open to significant improvement and none of them can be ruled out entirely.
At least three could conceivably set off as favourite, including Kilbricken Storm, who beat a small field to land a Grade Two at Cheltenham’s International meeting. He looked beaten there before stamina kicked in, however, and a drop back to two-and-a-half miles here may not be what he needs.
Poetic Rhythm (3.00) is the only runner who did not win last time, but his close third behind On The Blind Side at Cheltenham was franked when the winner followed up in a strong race at Sandown. This looks like his trip and he looks an excellent bet at around 3-1 to give the up-and-coming Fergal O’Brien his first Grade One success.
Newbury 1.50 Heavy ground is an unknown for the two at the top of the market, Huntsman Son and Brave Eagle, so Dynamite Dollars looks a decent alternative at around 5-1. Paul Nicholls’s runner was a close third on heavy going at Haydock in November, and ran with credit until a late mistake in a Grade Two at Sandown last time.
Haydock 2.10 A gruelling slog in prospect, which should suit Emperor’s Choice ideally. He took the 2014 Welsh National winner off 131 in desperate conditions, is down to a mark of 124 now and should be sharper for his comeback run over this course and distance in November.
Newbury 2.25 Back To The Thatch made an inauspicious debut over fences in November but looked like a different horse next time up as he finished a close second at Haydock. Henry Daly’s runner races off the same mark here, will hopefully improve again and the ground holds no fears.
Haydock 2.45 The career of Church Hall has been interrupted by several long layoffs, but he was a ready winner on his belated chasing debut at Lingfield in November. A 10lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to stop him with improvement likely on what is just his 15th start at the age of nine.
Newbury 3.35 Rocklander got no further than the first fence before unseating his rider in a Grade Two last time out, but would have a big chance on the form of his chasing debut at Ludlow, never mind some fine runs over timber. The favourite’s jumping is a worry though so the front-running Solighoster could put him under pressure, and Neil Mulholland’s runner also has three previous wins on heavy ground.
Taunton 3.15 A intriguing and competitive race despite the small field. Even rank outsider She’s Gina has snippets of Flat form – sixth place in the German Oaks, for instance – that suggest she might make a decent hurdler, but Maria’s Benefit and Sunshade have the proven form over timber and the former is narrowly preferred having stopped the clock in a useful time at Ludlow earlier this month.
Tips for Saturday races
Haydock 11.50 Du Soleil 12.25 Jonniesofa 1.00 Ravensdale 1.35 Dandy Duke 2.10 Emperor’s Choice 2.45 Church Hall 3.20 Air Navigator
Lingfield 11.30 City Gent 12.00 Dubai One 12.35 Critical Thinking 1.10 Line Of Beauty 1.45 Kafeel 2.20 Chelwood Gate 2.55 Every Chance 3.30 Attain
Newbury 12.05 Special Relation 12.40 First Flow 1.15 Remiluc 1.50 Dynamite Dollars (nb) 2.25 Back To The Thatch 3.00 Poetic Rhythm (nap) 3.35 Solighoster
Taunton 12.15 Kings Inn 12.50 Don’t Ask 1.25 Sydney De Baune 2.00 Moabit 2.35 Burrenbridge Hotel 3.15 Maria’s Benefit 3.45 Dr Dunraven
