Newbury’s meeting is the primary one of the weekend, with the William Hill Hurdle headlining it. Races such as the Denman Chase and Game Spirit Chase both feature too, with some interesting names competing in both.
GG tipster Joe Napier picks out our selections for the Placepot at Newbury on the day, to see if we can claim the jackpot.
Leg 1: 1.00 Newbury – William Hill Racing Epic Boosts’ Novices’ Hurdle
Leg 1 selections: (9) Fantasy World
Sober Glory could yet be a Graded level performer and has to be the likeliest winner on hurdling evidence, but Fantasy World is the selection for Placepot purposes at a slightly bigger price. The four-year-old was purchased for 600,000gns on behalf of Lady Bamford after a promising flat season. He has gone into training with Nicky Henderson since, having reached a rating of 103 on the level, winning a 1m6f Listed race last time out, while he also boats a Triumph Hurdle entry. Given his price tag and the lumps of weight he receives from his elders, it would be a disappointment if he does not feature heavily even though this is a tricky debut for him over obstacles.
Leg 2: 1.35 Newbury – William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle
Leg 2 selections: (3) Crebilly, (9) Alentejo
Although the two Dan Skelton runners have age on their side, neither looks appealingly handicapped here. Against them, Crebilly has now slipped to a tempting mark, having always shaped like a stayer. His form figures do not add up over 3m, but he is now on his last winning hurdles mark and 13lb lower than when second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Due to his recent form, a chance is also worth taking on Alentejo. The seven-year-old won three times over hurdles in France and was a runner-up in Listed and Grade 3 handicaps in the spring of 2024. His form was not as strong towards the end of his time there and he jumped terribly over fences on his debut for Nicky Henderson. However, he goes back over timber and his mark could easily prove skinny if showing the benefit of that run.
Leg 3: 2.10 Newbury – William Hill Denman Chase (Grade 2)
Leg 3 selections: (3) Haiti Couleurs
The absence of Jango Baie leaves the Denman Chase in the hands of Sean Bowen with Haiti Couleurs. The pair flopped in the Betfair Chase, but after only 16 days off the track, and his Welsh National success since suggests that is a very reasonable excuse. He has swiftly risen the handicap, so while he is still wrong with L’Homme Presse on ratings, he should remain too progressive for his predominant, veteran rival.
Leg 4: 2.45 Newbury – William Hill Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2)
Leg 4 selections: (7) Saint Segal
Lulamba steps into open company as the latest star novice for Nicky Henderson. The Seven Barrows team must think he is useful to contest this race at this stage of his career, but whether he is on the same level as Sprinter Sacre or Altior, the two former winners of this race for Henderson as novices, remains up for debate.
He is taken on with Saint Segal, who has run very credibly against a handicap blot in Thistle Ask twice this season. He was giving 9lb and more away both times to the subsequent Grade 1 runner-up, having won his other two starts this term. The selection has flown up the handicap, is in the form of his life, and is ready for open Graded level.
Leg 5: 3.20 Newbury – William Hill Hurdle
Leg 5 selections: (4) Wellington Arch, (12) Wreckless Eric
The O’Neill’s pair of Wellington Arch and Wreckless Eric appeal as each-way players in the William Hill Hurdle. The former won a big pot at Aintree last season, then placed at Punchestown, while the ground would have been quick enough on his New Year’s Day return. He could well be ready to feature again on soft ground even with the trip on the short side.
Wreckless Eric, meanwhile, is now 1lb lower than when second in last year’s Imperial Cup at Sandown. He likely did not stay last time over 2m5f and would have needed his comeback, so appeals given the handicapper’s leniency with him since.
Leg 6: 3.55 Newbury – William Hill Cheltenham Non-Runner Money Back Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Leg 6 selections: (9) Captain Bellamy
With Paul Nicholls ‘ yard in red-hot form, Captain Bellamy can pounce in this novices’ handicap. The seven-year-old promised plenty early in his career and has shown flashes over obstacles, finishing first past the post (disqualified) here in December 2024, then finishing runner-up on his second chase start over 2m6f. The handicapper has pushed him up 3lb, but he deals with cut in the ground and looks likely to come good over fences at some stage given he won a point-to-point by a wide margin.
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