Newbury – Wednesday 19th January

It wasn’t to be yesterday with the two big priced selections, unfortunately running like their odds implied. However, on a tricky day of racing – the only word of advice is to put yesterday’s selection – You Say Nothing, into the tracker. He was given a quiet ride to say the least and should be striking soon, perhaps back over 2m. There is a good card at Newbury today with some exciting races to get through and some lively youngsters on show. I have three selections from the card. 

The 2.25 race is the first race I’ll be perusing and this 2m handicap hurdle for horses rated 0-120 and this looks like a good competitive handicap for its kind. Fine Casting has a nice profile for a race of this nature, and he should be able to progress to better than his current mark would suggest. However, he was windy in the finish two starts back and is not straightforward, so he can be let win at the prices. Instead, the underrated Mascat might be worth a chance on this handicap debut after two very solid efforts over hurdles thus far. He won on hurdling debut at Wincanton before a promising third in a better race last time out – which has qualified him for this handicap debut off a mark of 113. Promising young claimer, Thomas Doggrell takes seven pounds off his back, which should make him more competitive. In an open looking race, he looks to have a good chance and his trainer, Harriet Brown had a winner yesterday. At 9/1 with Bet365, who are offering 4 places, he is an each way bet. 

The 3.00 race is a 3m handicap chase for horses rated 0-130 and these are the type of races one goes to bed dreaming of. 11 solid handicappers running around Newbury and putting their jumping to the test in good conditions. If this isn’t what National Hunt racing is all about, I don’t know what is. I will be siding with the previous winner of this race, Django Django – who comes here with a point to prove after a number of listless displays in recent efforts. However, despite a pulled up letter beside his name last time out, when looking back on that race at Exeter, he was cantering before a race ending mistake down the back straight. He was quickly pulled up and a return to this course and distance may spark an even bigger revival. Down five pounds from his last win, he is handicapped to be very competitive. At a price of 8/1 with SkyBet, who are offering 4 places – he is another each way bet. 

The final race of the day is the 4.00 race and we will be looking for some luck for the bumper race and hopefully finish on a winner. It will be hard under a penalty but the exciting Clifton Bridge is clearly the bet in this race, with his Exeter form given an almighty boost yesterday with a Firestream being a very impressive winner. This Alan King horse looks a bright prospect of connections, and his win on racecourse debut was taking, and he should be able to back that performance up. Adrian Heskin takes the ride again and if he is able to back up the visual effort of his first start, he could well be the horse to beat here. Gary Moore’s Authorized Speed, sets a fair standard of form also, but with Clifton Bridge getting such a notable form boost yesterday – I can’t stray away. He looks an appetizing price at 7/2 with William Hill.