Newbury plays hosts to it’s jumps season opener on Thursday, with eight competitive races to look forward to. GG editor Tom Aldridge gives his thoughts on each race on the card, including one he’s keen on a big price in the Novices’ Chase.
See who’s he’s siding with and back his selections with Copybet, who are offering new customers £40 in FREE BETS when they place a £10 bet!
12.05pm – Bet In Running On BetVictor Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
The switch to Anthony Honeyball’s yard has helped BROOKIE, who ran out a comfortable eight length winner on stable debut, and he looks to have a good chance of following up here. He’s gone up 6lb in the ratings for that win, but Ben Godrey’s 3lb claim negates half of that rise, and he looked ahead of the handicapper last time out. The runner-up Small Bad Bob has since boosted the form by winning a similar race next time out, and he looks good value to take on Whizz Kid with.
12.40pm – Agetur UK Novices’ Hurdle (Class 3)
It’s hard to get away from WILLMOUNT, who won his point-to-point and was an impressive winner of both bumpers he raced in last season. The most recent of those was hugely impressive, winning cosily despite giving plenty of weight to all his rivals, and that was on ground that was perhaps a bit better than ideal for him too. He looks an exciting novice hurdler to follow this season and Nicky Henderson appears to have already taken a shine to him.
1.15pm – Watch Weekend Winners With BetVictor Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3)
This looks wide open and I’m willing to give a chance on Harry Derham’s SCRUM DIDDLY, who will be making his debut over fences. Since stepping up to 3 miles, he ran out an easy winner of the first two races, before a good runner-up effort in class 2 company at Cartmel. The winner that day, Aramax, won next time out to boost that form and is now rated 11lb higher, and Scrum Diddly was the only one close to him at the finish. He’s since joined Harry Derham’s yard and I’m a big fan of his – he’s had three winners from four runners over fences so far this season (correct at time of writing) and I expect he will have Scrum Diddly ready to go at the first time of asking.
1.50pm – CSP Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2)
I’m struggling to see why POLITACUS is a much bigger price than Seeyouinmydreams, considering she was well ahead of her in the Aintree Bumper back in April. Granted, she did disappoint slightly on her hurdles debut last month, but she improved after her first race last year, and I fully expect her to come on for the run. Fergal O’Brien is having a superb start to the season with his Novice Hurdlers, currently operating at a 24% strike-rate (correct at time of writing), and I fancy Politacus to go close here. Break My Soul is the interesting runner, having joined Nicky Henderson’s yard after winning a PTP earlier in the year, but at the prices I’m happy to take her on with Politacus, who looks a cracking price.
Clonmel Oil Chase – Runner-By-Runner Guide + Verdict For Thursday’s Feature Grade 2
The Clonmel Oil Chase is the feature race on Clonmel’s card on Thursday, and it’s a race that perhaps unsurprisingly has been dominated by Willie Mullins, who has won seven of the last ten renewals. It’s been won by plenty of big names in recent years, including: The last two winners, Fakir D’Oudairies (2021) and…
Tue 07 Nov 20232.25pm – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
Pertemps Qualifiers are always tricky races to solve, with plenty in here who would probably keep their handicap mark down than actually win, but there is one I like in here – Alan King’s EMITOM. He ran out a ready winner over C&D when last seen and is 2/2 at Newbury, so this should be right up his street. The horse who chased him home last time out, Hyland, has won twice already this season and is now rated 135, so the form looks rock solid. You know he isn’t using this as a prep for something bigger down the line, so he’ll be one of the runners going all out to win this, and I’m hopeful he’ll do just that.
3.00pm – Get A Run For Your Money At BetVictor Handicap Chase (Class 3)
Last years winner NORTHERN BOUND looks well handicapped to follow up again in this years renewal. Having won this off a mark of 133 last year, he’s now 9lb lower and following recent wind surgery, he had a return to form at Wetherby last time out. He was only two lengths off the winner that day, and he’s down to his lowest mark since August 2022, so looks a good each-way play in a race that looks extremely open.
3.35pm – British Horse Society Open NHF Race (Div 1 – Class 4)
Nicky Henderson has won three of the eight renewals of this race, so his runner Gentleman’s Relish has to be respected, but at the prices I’m willing to take him on with Neil King’s LUWDVIG. Jack Quinlan is on board, who has already ridden a couple of bumper winners this season, and Neil King has a fairly solid 15% strike-rate in bumpers over the last five years. He’s a big price so I’ll give him a chance, in a race that is incredibly difficult to have confidence in any of the runners.
4.10pm – British Horse Society Open NHF Race (Div 2 – Class 4)
€450,000 purchase HISTRIONIC looks an exciting recruit for the Paul Nicholls team having won his point-to-point, and this looks a good race for him to open his account on rules debut. I’m a big fan of horses in bumpers who were sired by Walk In The Park, and this one looked to have a bright future ahead when running out a comfortable winner in his PTP. Harry Cobden is one of the best jockeys to have on board in a bumper and Paul Nicholls already has a 25% strike-rate in bumpers this season, so I think Histrionic will prove tough to beat in the lucky last.
Newbury Through-The-Card Tips
10 To Follow – Andrew Mount’s Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. GG’s chief tipster Andrew Mount is the next to give his selections, which include two runners from champion trainer Paul Nicholls yard, as well as last season’s Irish Grand National winner. BYKER (Charles…
Wed 25 Oct 2023Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.