There was a certain amount of surprise expressed this week when Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle attracted only 16 horses at the final entry stage. A few more runners might have been expected for the money on offer but Saturday’s field still looks extremely competitive and those who disagree are welcome to try picking the winner.
William H Bonney (3.35) might be the answer at odds of around 10-1. Good enough to take his chance in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, he impressed in victory back there last month.
He travelled strongly through that handicap, found plenty when challenged and won with a bit up his sleeve. He is not, in fact, well in under his penalty but should have more to offer in only his third start in a handicap. Alan King’s stable remains in excellent form.
Veinard is the one that is worrying. A big improver since joining Gordon Elliott last summer, he has not won for a while but travelled like a good horse when given too much to do in a valuable Leopardstown race last month. There is likely to be a big day in him at some point.
Saturday’s TV racing tips
1.50 Newbury It is a surprise to see Tobefair attempting a seventh consecutive success, when the plan had seemed to go straight to the Cheltenham Festival. Perhaps connections feel he needs to go up another few pounds to secure his place in the Pertemps. He is very likeable but it is just possible the more lightly raced Scotchtown will be able to turn their Warwick form round on marginally better terms.
2.05 Warwick The six-year-old Whizzzey Rascal has to keep improving but she has been doing that ever since joining Elliott. She is a half-sister to Clondaw Warrior, a Grade One runner-up this season.
2.25 Newbury With the Colin Tizzard yard not quite in the reliable form it enjoyed up to Christmas, Native River could be vulnerable to the relentless galloper Bristol De Mai, who had his back treated before his impressive Haydock romp.
2.40 Warwick A course and distance winner last month, Overtown Express showed improved jumping that day and can prove the pick of these.
3.00 Newbury Tizzard’s Fox Norton has the best chasing form in this race but it is asking a lot for him to beat Altior on this comeback from injury, a comment which also applies to Traffic Fluide.
3.15 Warwick Hopefully this left-handed circuit is the right way round for Activial, who unseated when jumping left at Kempton. The grey is handily treated if everything falls right.
Tips for all Saturday races
Lingfield
1.25 Simply Me 2.00 Dazacam 2.35 Berryessa 3.10 My Target 3.45 Royalistic 4.20 Born To Finish 4.50 Mica Mika
Newbury
1.15 Multiculture 1.50 Scotchtown 2.25 Bristol De Mai 3.00 Altior 3.35 William H Bonney (nap) 4.10 Vinnie Red 4.45 Kayf Mariner
Uttoxeter
1.10 Wazowski 1.45 Quids In 2.20 Winged Crusader 2.55 Lovenormoney 3.30 Bobble Boru 4.00 Eastview Boy (nb) 4.35 Midnight Tune
Warwick
1.30 Glenforde 2.05 Whizzey Rascal 2.40 Overtown Express 3.15 Activial 3.50 Super Sam 4.25 Belami Des Pictons 4.55 Wildmoor Boy
Wolverhampton
5.45 Gabrial The Thug 6.15 Masamah 6.45 Peachey Carnehan 7.15 Ceyhan 7.45 Fast Play 8.15 Vision Of Beauty 8.45 Royal Blessing
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