As we inch ever closer to the Cheltenham Festival, we gear up for what is set to be another jam-packed weekend of horse racing, kicking off with Newbury’s competitive Friday card.
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Newbury 2:13 Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m4½f (4yo+ 0-115)
Wind surgy looks like it had the desired effect with King Of The Lake as he comes in here on the back of a 26-length win at Wincanton. For that, he has been hit with an 11lb rise in the weights and steps up in grade.
If the wind surgy has the desired effect again, there is no reason he can’t go close again and make it back-to-back wins, but he may have to settle for second best to the in-form STAR OF AFFINITY.
The Joe Tizzard-trained 6yo has gone from strength to strength this season, winning three of his last six runs.
He comes here on the back of a comfortable win at Kempton over 2m5f, and the half-a furlong less here won’t be an issue. A 9lb rise in weight is justified, and even with Freddie Gingell unable to claim this time, it may not be enough to stop Star Of Affinity from bagging his hat-trick.
- Selection: Star Of Affinity
- Danger: King Of The Lake
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Newbury 2:48 Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Juvenile Hurdle – 2m½f (4yo)
This looks like a gilt edge opportunity for GIVE IT TO ME OJ to get off the mark on the third time of asking.
This 78-rated flat horse has finished 3rd and 4th on his first two runs over hurdles, finishing just over five lengths behind Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock, and then chased home the talented Gibbs Island just over a week ago.
There is no horse of that calibre here, and it would be disappointing if Give It To Me Oj couldn’t get off the mark today.
Ocean Conquest backed up his good run behind Lulamba last time out to chase home Aviemore, and should he kick on again, he can chase home the selection.
- Selection: Give It To Me Oj
- Danger: Ocean Conquest
Bet on Give It To Me Oj with Sky Bet
Newbury 3:23 BetVictor Cheltenham Non-Runner No Bet Novices’ Handicap Chase – 2m4f (5yo+ 0-120)
Only four runners, but there shouldn’t be much between all four.
All Authorized would be interesting off a low weight if he can leave his poor seasonal return behind him, which is possible as he came on leaps and bounds for his seasonal bow last season.
But the one who is worth forgiving him for his last run is THE GOOD DOCTOR.
Having been sent off the 13/8 favourite on the back of two close second-place finishes, The Good Doctor was never going at Herford. For me, it was a case of him not acting on the track.
Now, back at the scene of his short-head second-place finish, you can expect a much better performance from the top weight here.
- Selection: The Good Doctor
- Danger: All Authorized
Bet on The Good Doctor with Paddy Power
Newbury 3:58 Watch Weekend Winners Powered By BetVictor “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle – 2m4½f (5yo+)
Three runners come in here on the back of wins, but they and the rest of the field will have to go some to stop HORACES PEARL.
The Aintree Grade 2 bumper winner made a successful hurdles debut at Huntington in November, but he hasn’t been seen since for one reason or another (mostly ground).
The form of that bumper win at Aintree could not be working out any better.
The 2nd Tripoli Flyer has since gone on to win the Grand 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle by over seven lengths last weekend, the 3rd has since placed in two Grade 1s, the 4th has won a Grade 2, 5th has won twice since, and the 6th has won three from his last six races.
Fitness may be the only worry for Horaces Pearl here, but given that he has won three times on the back of a break, he should have more than enough to take care of his rivals today over a trip that is sure to bring out much more from this exciting hurdler.
- Selection: Horaces Pearl
- Danger: Pierrot Jaguen
Bet on Horaces Pearl with Midnite
Newbury 4:33 Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Handicap Chase – 2m½f (5yo 0-130)
This looks to be the most competitive race on the card, where you can make a case for all bar one of the runners.
The Famous Five and Rath Gaul Hill have a course and distance win to their names and are the obvious starting points. The Famous Five has failed to get his head back in front since, where Rath Gaul Hill is coming here after a 315-day break.
If he is forward enough, there is every chance he can be involved, but I’m in a forgiving mood this week, and I want to give MOUNT TEMPEST a chance to show that his last run at Sandown was just a blip.
The ground was described as good to soft on the day, but it was more like heavy with the amount of rain that fell throughout the day. So back on a more sound surface will be more to his liking today.
He was over 15 lengths behind Rath Gual Hill, but now, with race fitness on his side, he can reverse that form.
It’s a chance you have to take with Mount Tempest, but it’s one that I am willing to take.
- Selection: Mount Tempest
- Danger: Rath Gual Hill
Bet on Mount Tempest with talkSPORT BET
Newbury 5:05 One Up On Football Now At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle – 3m (5yo+ 0-130)
An interesting race to close off proceedings at Newbury. Saint Palais, Gamester Guy, and Wonderful Edge are the ones who bring in the most recent winning form. All three have obvious chances to add to their wins, but this can be the day that MAGICAL KING finally gets off the mark this season.
In his ten career starts over hurdles, Magical King has won one and placed seven times, and it’s not for the lack of effort that he has only managed one win so far.
As the season progressed, so has Magical King. He has finished placed in all three runs this season, and as a consequence, he has been creeping up in the weights.
But this looks less competitive than his last assignment, and if he can continue to progress, he can double his winning tally today.
- Selection: Magical King
- Danger: Gamesters Guy
Bet on Magical King with Sky Bet
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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