Free Racing Tips From Newbury - Angus Loughran

Feb. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- ------------------------------------------

13:20 Bet totepool on 0800 221 221 Novices’ Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m: Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have dominated this race in recent years and in Kid Cassidy (Henderson) and AL FEROF (Nicholls) they look likely to do so again. My pick got off the mark over hurdles last time out at Taunton in a poor contest after coming third to Backspin and taking a tumble at Cheltenham and I think with that confidence booster under his belt he can go in again. He landed the bumper on this card 12 months ago in impressive fashion, so will be well suited by the track, while I also think this drop back in trip is another factor in his favour, having finished third here over 2m5f two runs back.

13:55 totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m: Last season’s Grand National winner Don't Push It will be the star attraction here, but I suspect the yard will be hoping this run brings him on again, ready for a tilt at defending his title in April. I know my colleague here at easyodds Paul Jacobs likes the chance of the top-weight Hills of Aran, but my main bet here will be on Paul Nicholls’ VALENTINE VIC. The yard took the prize 12 months ago and although he was a poor third (beaten 33 lengths) last time at Taunton last time I think on his handicap debut he can make amends on what looks a fair mark.

14:25 Aon Chase (Grade 2) – 3m: King George runner-up Riverside Theatre and WHAT A FRIEND are the ones to concentrate on here and the fact the Henderson runner is rated higher than my pick and getting 4lbs, then the obvious call is Riverside Theatre. However, Nicholls has taken his time with What A Friend after a poor fifth in the Betfair Chase, behind Imperial Commander, back in November and I think we are ready to see the horse that won last season’s Lexus Chase and tote Bowl at Aintree again. Paul Nicholls has made this race his own in recent years, winning five of the last nine runnings, while the last time What A Friend raced here at Newbury he made Denman pull out all the stops in the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup. Of the others, it’s good to see Fair Along back over fences. He last ran over the bigger obstacles back in April 2008 at Punchestown, but he’s won a Novice Chase here at the track before, while from his 9 chase starts this former Arkle runner-up has hit the frame 7 times.

15:00 totepool Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) – 2m1f: With Woolcombe Folly being taken out on Friday the race has rather lost its edge somewhat, with just six runners heading to post now. That said, we’ve still got a competitive affair with Cornas , Tchico Polos and French Opera the ones to concentrate on. All are respected and there are plenty of form lines between them all, but, for me, FRENCH OPERA’s run last time behind Cornas at Sandown was too bad to be true and he can make amends here. He’s won four of his 10 chase runs, and been placed in eight, while a second to Planet of Sound here in January 2009 gives him some experience of the track and he did beat Tchico Polos two runs ago at Ayr of level weights.

15:35 totesport Trophy Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap) - 2m: A really competitive affair here with plenty of big reputations being put on the line. None more so than the Nicky Henderson-trained Solix, who’s yet to race in this country. This French import has a Champion Hurdle entry so is clearly well regarded, while a bucket load of cash for him earlier in the week is another strong indication the yard are expecting to land this race for the third time since 2001. However, there’s too much to be taken on trust for me and unless you were on at bigger prices I’d look elsewhere for the value.

Get Me Out Of Here bids to follow up last year’s win, but he’s 15lb higher this time, while two poor runs this season doesn’t exactly bode well for his chance. I think David Pipe’s Notus De La Tour will improve for his recent run at Ascot, where he was well-fancied, but the main pick will be WALKON.

Alan King’s grey looks set to go off near the head of the market and after an excellent run at Ascot three weeks ago he should be spot on for this. Ok, so there is a chance the bounce factor could kick-in here, but he’s only been out of the top three once in his 14 career starts, while he’s yet to be out of the top two in all in seven runs in the UK. The return to 2 miles will not be an issue having been second in a Triumph Hurdle and having plenty of experience in big fields is another plus. On the trends he’s right on the borderline of the weight stat (11-8) with 10 of the last 10 winners carrying 11-7 or less, but I don’t see this as a major negative, while being a 6 year-old his age looks spot-on with the last two winners being that age.


Grand National Advice: With the Grand National weights due out soon I’ll be getting on Donald McCain’s BALLABRIGGS in the ante post market now. He’s won his last five starts, the last over hurdles, and with the yard no strangers to getting one ready for the big day I can see his current price of around 16/1 getting shorter in the coming weeks.

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