11/02/17 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

WIN BET: 4.10 Newbury Lessons In Milan 11/2

EW BET: 3.35 Newbury Zubayr 10/1

Nicky Henderson

3.00 Newbury Altior 4/7

He is in great shape, he really is. There are lots of reasons why we could not have run, primarily the ground, but he HAS to get out and gain more experience over fences as he’s seen very few horses so needs to have a bit of a race. It’s all well and good going for a run around on your own but it is important he goes into a more grown up race hence we’re taking on the likes of Fox Norton, who is a very good horse. The ground is a concern, and I have tried to keep him away from soft conditions but we’re getting closer to Cheltenham, therefore, he’s got to run. We could have gone to the Kingmaker (which is for Novices) at Warwick but it will be very heavy ground there and you could invariably end up finishing on your own again, so this is the much better option. Nico hasn’t ridden him over fences before (in public) so it will be good for him to gain the experience on Altior as well.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury Hargam 25/1

He’s coming down the Handicap a little but he still has to give weight all round because the original top weight came out which is a big shame because we were under 11st7lbs which was a sensible weight but now he’s got to carry 11st12lbs which, in a race like this, makes things very hard. He does handle cut although this may be a little softer than he likes but he’s in very good form and I’ve been extremely happy with him in his work. It looks a very good race and Ballyandy could be well handicapped but I like the horse that Barry Geraghty rides, Movewiththetimes because he was always going to partner this one for JP before we even had to take out Consul De Thaix, so that tells you enough.

★★★☆☆

4.10 Newbury Lessons In Milan 11/2

He ran well at Newbury last time and I think he has got a very good chance indeed; I really do. We have put some cheekpieces on him and he’s got to step up now, which I’m hopeful he will.

★★★★★

4.45 Newbury Daphne Du Clos 7/2

She was very unlucky not to win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and I am keeping her to Listed Company here after she ran so well. We want to try and win a race of this type and to be honest, I wouldn’t say she has improved much since her debut as she requires very little work. This is a good race but she should like the ground and is in very good form and gets all the 4-y-o filly allowances which is an added bonus!

★★★★☆

Paul Nicholls

1.50 Newbury Red Hanrahan 13/2

Not the most straight forward horse in the yard but has plenty of ability and won nicely at Fontwell late last season by making all the running. Red Hanrahan had a little setback before Christmas which delayed his return to action. He is fine now and does go well fresh as he showed last season at Wetherby where he would have hacked up on his hurdles debut before tipping up at the third last. But I'd be more confident if he'd been back in work for another fortnight.

★★★★☆

1.50 Newbury Lac Fontana 7/1

Needed the race at Newbury at the end of December and got tired turning into the straight on his first run back after a year off with a leg injury. While mine don't normally want two races to be 100% fit, my gut feeling is that he will come on again for this.

★★★☆☆

2.05 Warwick Jessbers Dream 9/2

Took time to get used to our training routine after she was purchased by Ditcheat Thoroughbreds and is showing the benefit of a nice break since twice running well late last year. I've had this race in mind for Jessber's Dream for a while and she should relish the trip and ground at Warwick. She will get a good ride from Jack Sherwood who we now call Saturday Jack after his fine run of wins on this day of the week. While Jessber's Dream is not a flashy work horse, she had very smart form for Harry Fry, has thrived over the past six weeks and looks as well if not better than at any time since we've had her.

★★★★☆

2.25 Newbury Le Mercurey 15/2

While he looks up against it taking on Native River and Bristol de Mai he is capable of running to a high level as he showed when chasing home the ill-fated Many Clouds at Aintree late last year when Sean Bowen felt we should have been more positive on him.

★★★☆☆

3.00 Newbury Dodging Bullets 20/1

Very hard to place now because he is not the same horse since missing the best part of last season with a splint problem.

He always runs well, looks great at the moment and hopefully can pick up some crumbs here wearing cheek pieces for the first time.

★★☆☆☆

3.15 Warwick Vibrato Valtat 9/4

We've been asking him to punch above his weight this season, taking on the best which has been tough for him as he is not a Grade 1 horse. He has run some decent races in defeat, particularly last time when he was beaten only two and a quarter lengths at Kempton by Vaniteux. The bonus came when the handicapper dropped Vibrato Valtat 5lbs after that run. So I am hoping that he might find life a bit easier back in handicap company though having to carry top weight is obviously not ideal.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury Movewiththetimes 5/1

It was no surprise to me that Barry Geraghty chose to ride Movewiththetimes who has progressed really well this season.

He has won twice over hurdles and had about as much daylight as a coal miner at midnight when he was beaten only three and a half lengths in fifth place behind Moon Racer at Cheltenham. I liked the way he finished that day after running into all sorts of traffic problems and it is fair to say his coat looks amazing at the moment.

We do like Movewiththetimes who is still unexposed but does lack the experience of most of his battle-hardened rivals here.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury Zubayr 10/1

Things haven't quite gone his way this season and we have sorted out an issue with his breathing since his last run when he didn't get home at Sandown. Zubayr is certainly in good shape at home since that procedure to cauterise his soft palate. It seems to have worked as he used to make a noise when he was galloping but he doesn't now and he did a decent bit of work with Movewiththetimes last week. Strictly on that evidence you could hardly split them. Zubayr is crying out for a strongly run end to end gallop when he can sit off the pace and come with a late challenge. That is what he got when he was so impressive in the Adonis at Kempton on his debut for us and with luck that is what he should get at Newbury.

A slight concern is that he looks dull in his coat but that is him. I thought the same before the Adonis a year ago and he hacked up that day! Good each-way chance

★★★☆☆

4.10 Newbury Boa Island 5/1

Has been making up for lost time this season, winning twice over fences on good ground and is an interesting contender here at the foot of the handicap. We don't know for sure that he handles soft ground but it is encouraging that he won one of his Point-to-Points in testing conditions.

★★★★☆

4.45 Newbury Dynamite Dollars 9/2

A lovely horse for the future who went close in a decent bumper at Cheltenham last time over one mile, six furlongs and should be involved again here in a typically competitive Listed Newbury contest. As he stays well he will definitely be suited by this step up to two miles.

★★★★☆

Julia Feilden

6.15 Wolverhampton Veeraya 12/1

He enjoys a good break between races as he gets quite stiff so it's frustrating when a run is a waste of time like last time when he got shuffled back through the field and could never get involved. He won the time before that and seems very happy at home so hopefully he can bounce back.

★★★☆☆

Davy Russell

2.10 Naas Sanibel Island 13/2

He carries a penalty for his maiden hurdle win at Wexford last October and followed that up with a decent run at Clonmel.

You can put a line through his Punchestown run last time and I’m hopeful of a bold showing.

★★★★☆

2.45 Naas Midnight Escape 9/4

He ran really well on his hurdling bow at Navan last November and followed that with a fair showing in a warm bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas.With 23 rivals, it’s pretty hard to single out a danger, but if I had to it would be Noel Meade’s Tamlough Boy.

★★★☆☆

3.20 Naas Solita 14/1

There may only be six runners, but it looks fiercely competitive with Listen Dear and Slowmotion looking particularly hard to beat.

If my mare can finish in the three I’d be delighted.

★★☆☆☆

Aidan Coleman

1.15 Newbury Little Chunk 10/1

I can’t tell you anything about Little Chunk, who runs in the Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively At Betfair Novices' Hurdle, other than Warren Greatrex is in great form, having had two winners at Huntingdon on Thursday. The horse seems to be improving with each run, but High Bridge, who I used to ride, looks hard to beat.

★★★☆☆

1.50 Newbury Morello Royale 12/1

I think the ground may be against Morello Royale in the Betfair Cash Out Handicap Hurdle, as she doesn’t like it too soft.

★☆☆☆☆

3.00 Newbury Fox Norton 11/4

The bookies have Altior as odds-on for the Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury on Saturday, but I can make a very, very strong case for Fox Norton if you want to take on the hot favourite. My ride could not have been much more impressive when winning at Cheltenham’s Open meeting in November.

That was his first run for Colin Tizzard, having been bought by Ann and Alan Potts following his win at Cheltenham three weeks earlier.

He was bought with a view to running in the top Graded races and the purchase immediately paid dividends, when he won the Grade Two Shloer. Fox Norton suffered a cut in the race and hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since, but you don’t need to worry about the horse’s fitness. It was only three months ago and Colin gets his horses very fit at home. he likes of Simply Ned, Special Tiara and Top Gamble were behind him last time, but with due respect they don’t appear to be in the same bracket as Altior and this will be another step up for Fox Norton. But you also have to bear in mind this will be the toughest test for Altior over fences. He has won all three of his starts over the bigger obstacles in good style, but he was entitled to given the small fields and the fact he was long odds-on for each race. I think the ground will suit us more than Altior and my lad is clearly improving. He was bought to win races like this and I am really looking forward to getting back on him. I think he is a very exciting horse.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury De Name Escapes Me 14/1

De Name Escapes me is my ride in the Betfair Hurdle. I haven’t ridden him before, or for Noel Meade for that matter, so there is not much insight I can offer. He was 10th and not beaten that far in a competitive race at the Punchestown Festival, so has experience of the big field handicap hurdles and you’d imagine Noel’s bringing him over for a reason! Looking at the race I can’t help but agree with Nigel Twiston-Davies, who described his Ballyandy’s handicap mark of 135 as “a gift”. I bet you connections would have been very, very disappointed if you’d told them at the start of the season he would have that mark come mid-February, but they can definitely exploit it in what is the richest handicap hurdle. His form behind Messire Des Obeaux and Moon Racer has worked out really well this season and he's the real eye-catcher for me.

★★☆☆☆

4.10 Newbury Mustmeetalady 8/1

I think Mustmeetalady will run well in the Betfair Cheltenham Preview Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. He did well to finish fourth at Ascot after making lots of mistakes, and then ran a good race the other day at Wetherby. He’s improving and is not without a chance.

★★★☆☆

Richard Johnson

1.15 Newbury Multiculture 11/2

Although he won his maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in really taking fashion a few weeks ago, today’s race is a big step up. High Bridge looks the obvious danger. Although he’s got a double penalty, Alex Ferguson takes off a useful 7lbs.

★★★☆☆

1.50 Newbury Rolling Maul 15/2

He hasn’t looked at his best in his last two starts, but can never be ruled out. Judging by runs in the past he handles soft ground, so that shouldn’t be a problem. It just depends if he is on a going day or not. He’s a bit of an old monkey.

★★★☆☆

2.25 Newbury Native River Evens

I’ve got six rides and Native Riverin the Denman Chase (2.25pm) is probably the one I’m most looking forward to. He’s been incredible this season, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup here and then the Welsh Grand National over Christmas. We’re hoping he can put in another big run ahead of a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. While we look like the one to beat with form over course and distance on our side, I’ve got plenty of respect for Bristol De Mai. He looked very smart when winning the Peter Marsh at Haydock last time and is a big danger.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury Wait For Me 14/1

Wait For Me (3.35pm) has always been the apple of my eye so, for me, he’s disappointed a bit recently. He hasn’t seemed to put it all in at the business end so far, but I know if he puts it all together he has the ability to win a race like this. He may still need a helping hand from the handicapper, but I’d like to think he’s got a big race like this in him in time.

★★★☆☆

4.10 Newbury Vieux Lille 3/1

I’m particularly looking forward to Vieux Lille ()in the novices’ handicap chase (4.10pm). He’s just been getting better and better with every run. His form reads 432, so hopefully the trend will continue and we can get a 1 next to his name.

★★★★☆

4.45 Newbury Dans Le Vent 20/1

I’m on Dans Le Vent () for Jamie Snowdon in the Listed bumper (4.45pm) - it looks a very hot race. I don’t know a great deal about the ride, but obviously he won on debut so should be well respected. This is a big step up, though, and he’s very much in at the deep end here against Western Ryder. Warren Greatrex’s horse is the obvious danger.

★★☆☆☆

Dan Skelton

1.30 Warwick Aintree My Dream 2/1

Aintree My Dream is top rated in this and Bridget takes 3lbs off. He has won around the track and goes on the ground. He ran third at Haydock a few weeks ago when ours weren’t running well so I do give him a decent chance back in novice company.

★★★★☆

2.40 Warwick Knockgraffon 5/1

Knockgraffon will love the trip, love the track and love the ground. I think he can be really competitive in this

★★★★☆

2.40 Warwick Two Taffs 3/1

The trip might be a little sharp for Two Taffs, but he’s a very efficient jumper so should suit the five fences that come quickly after each other down the back. However after that lacklustre display last time, I just want to see a little bit more from him.

★★★☆☆

3.50 Warwick Predict A Riot 7/2

Predict A Riot’s first run of the season was diabolical; it was like he just didn’t turn up. I just can’t explain it. He’s run a lot better since and the form of those races has worked out quite nicely. He went up a couple of pounds the other day without running. The trip is ideal and the ground is fine. He’s just getting the hang of things and I think he’s one of those horses that as the season progresses he’ll improve. I give him an each way chance.

★★★☆☆

4.00 Uttoxeter Master Jake 11/4

He goes in the ground. He is probably a two miler in really bad ground and a two and a half miler on better. He’s in a grade where he can be competitive and Sam, a good lad who works with us, takes a handy 7lbs off. I fully expect him to be competitive.

★★★★☆

Nigel Twiston Davies

1.10 Uttoxeter Sword of The Lord 5/1

Sword Of The Lord has won over fences four outings ago but back over hurdles last time from 107 finished mid division over 2m. Up a further 4f today but 3lbs lower should see him in with a good each way chance. Jamie Bargary aboard.

★★★☆☆

1.50 Newbury Scotchtown 7/2

Scotchtown won two in a row then was runner up twice from a mark of 130. Up 5lbs here he's also progressing in the right direction and looks to have another very good chance. Tom Humphries rides and takes off 7lbs.

★★★★☆

2.20 Uttoxeter Winged Crusader 100/30

Winged Crusader won off of 105 at Bangor then went down by a nose upped to 3m 1+f and up 10lbs last time at Ludlow. Off the same mark here with Jamie claiming 3lbs gives him an excellent chance over 3m. 

★★★★★

2.25 Newbury Bristol De Mai 6/5

Bristol De Mai meets just two rivals here and showed what tremendous progress he'd made when winning the Peter Narsh at Haydock three weeks ago turning the race into a procession. In very good form and has an obvious chance but will need to be at his best and continue the good progress. Daryl Jacob rides.

★★★★☆

2.40 Warwick Flying Angel 8/1

Flying Angel won on his chasing debut at Perth but has failed to complete in two outings since. He's got a very good chance if he returns to the form shown at Perth and a good run expected. Willy Twiston-Davies rides.

★★★☆☆

3.15 Warwick Templehills 11/2

Templehills won two outings ago but fell before and after but is on the upgrade. His mark of 131 looks fair but he can find more here and go close. Dave Crosse aboard.

★★★★☆

3.30 Uttoxeter Lagavara 5/1

Lagavara has had just 4 outings and her last effort when 3rd of 13 at Exeter showed she is making the right progress. This is her handicap debut and she looks to be in a decent mark with progress to cone. Jamie rides and the pair can go close.

★★★★☆

3.35 Newbury Ballyhill 33/1

Ballyhill won two hurdles and has run well in four races since and makes his handicap debut here from 136. Needs to find improvement from that mark but Tom claims 7lbs and that may prove valuable. Decent each way chance at long odds.

★★☆☆☆

3.35 Newbury Ballyandy 7/2

Ballyandy also goes on this from a pound lower mark and also makes his handicap debut. Yet to be out of the first four in 9 outings, he has four bumper wins to his credit and went close last time at Sandown. Sam Twiston-Davies aboard and the pair can go close.

★★★★☆

3.50 Warwick Twist On Ginge 5/1

Twist On Ginge makes his handicap debut after going close and running consistently well. 112 looks a good mark and the step up to 3m 2f will also suit. Can go well here, Willy aboard.

★★★☆☆

4.25 Warwick Arctic Gold 9/2

Arctic Gold unseated on his chase debut but has a good record of 5 wins from 10 over hurdles and has plenty to come over fences. This 3m will suit on soft ground and he can go very well. Willy rides.

★★★★☆

Philip Hobbs (Diana Hobbs)

3.35 Newbury Wait For Me 10/1

Who was third in the Champion bumper and fourth the following year in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, runs in the highly competitive Betfair Hurdle and we hope has a good each way chance if the ground is not too soft for him.

★★★☆☆

4.10 Newbury Vieux Lille 3/1

is a horse who was successful last season over hurdles, but he has taken a while this season to get used to novice chasing. He runs tomorrow in the handicap chase and we hope he has a good chance.

★★★★☆

David Pipe

3.50 Warwick Obistar 7/1

He reverts to hurdles today having fallen on his latest start over fences - he had some fair form last season and has stamina in abundance so he should be suited by this test.

★★★☆☆

4.55 Warwick Full 11/8

Ex-French recruit Full makes his debut for the stable in the 2m handicap hurdle at 4.55pm and he looks to have been found a decent opportunity.

★★★★☆