BetVictor sponsor five races on the card at Newbury today and our man Sam Boswell has taken a look at each race and has a tip or two for you to consider.
Newbury 12.15
Unfortunately Jamie Snowden Trained Torneo is now a NR. I expected him to improve lots on his first UK start with a wealth of jumping experience. As such, I think ill leave this race now as Torneo was the big fancy.
Newbury 12.50
The maiden here looks open enough at the time of writing. Home Free, which was my win pick, has been declared a NR, so I’ll just be providing some potential each way value here. I like the look of German import Salvatore for Harry Derham. The local trainer has made a fine start to life and this dual winner on the flat looks a curious recruit to the hurdling sphere.
Each Way | Salvatore 6/1
Newbury 13:25
Not a strong betting heat for me here, but the big question is, will Brave Kingdom bounce back?
His return from a mammoth lay off was a winning one at Lingfield. I think I would rather take a slightly bigger price about Theatre Man for Richard Bandey, whom were second on chase debut to the improving Inch House. Now that they’re back at Newbury once again, I expect them to go one better today.
Win | Theatre Man 85/40
Newbury 14:00
Ratings have this as a two-horse race with Galia Des Liteaux an odds-on favourite. The Mare from the Skelton yard deserves respect, but I think she is just not warranting being that short in the betting. Pink Legend would ideally want the ground to be a bit quicker, but the recent return at Aintree should have blown away the cobwebs. Given that Venetia Williams is operating at a 30% strike rate in the last two weeks, I expect a bold showing here and feel she can outrun her price.
Win | Pink Legend 11/2
Newbury 14:35
Now this is a proper race! Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park is a horse who impressed many when winning at odds on over hurdles debut at Exeter. His one bumper win looks pretty strong, with the Harry Redknapp owned The Jukebox Man, who was second winning twice over hurdles since. He sets the standard and this move to a longer trip looks perfect. He won’t however have it his own way as East India Express represents local trainer Nicky Henderson and also holds a perfect record like the favourite. Fire Flyer ran a nice effort when second in a typically strong bumper at Cheltenham last month and gets 6 pounds from those who have already won over hurdles. Itseeenslikeit will need to improve again from his Ffos Las win to trouble the top two in the betting. I will be napping the favourite from Harry Fry’s team as my Best Bet of the meeting and expect to be handing out Cheltenham quotes in the press room come 2.40.
NAP | Gidleigh Park 4/7
Newbury 15:10
This chase just a bit over two miles has a few nice types, but it’s all about Etalon for me here. The form of his fourth in the EBF final is insanely strong and being able to run off 120 looks a very fair mark for a chase debut. A few of the Skelton teams have needed their first run but I’m not too deterred by that, if you want an alternative with chase experience, I’m a fan of In The Air, a previous course winner. His chase debut at Huntingdon was fair, before an under par effort at Sandown.
Win | Etalon 5/2
Each Way | In The Air 15/2
Newbury 15:45
The lucky last is very much a watching brief for me, with just three runs between the 17 runners it’s a case of learning more about these young horses with a view to the future.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
*Odds subject to change
