Friday Newbury Racing Tips and Preview Dave Stevos
Friday Newbury Racing Tips and Preview
I don’t think I have ever been as relieved with a bad place as I was on Sunday. Peaches And Cream stayed on nicely after the last in the Troytown, nicking place money in 4th, advised e/w at 50/1. It was a decent effort and he can win races off his current mark. The Long Distance Hurdle is the highlight on Friday but the rest of the fare is pretty ordinary. Hopefully we can nick another place or two, check out Dave Stevos’ Friday Newbury Racing Tips and preview for live ITV3 races below.
1.15 – Maiden Hurdle (Class 3)
Hopefully all eight horses stand their ground for this 16.5f maiden hurdle. Jonbon is the odds on favourite for Coleman, Henderson and JP. This 5yo is a full brother to Douvan and he is 2/2 after winning an average P2p and then a bumper at this track (gd/sft). He took that bumper by over 4L but again, the form is pretty ordinary. Given his regal pedigree and his connections, it is no surprise to see him priced up at 1/2 but on what he has achieved on the track, it looks far too short.
I am going to take him on with another course bumper winner, Charlie’s Glance. He was sent off at 14/1 on his debut here (16.5f gd) and he hacked up by 5.5L. The runner up, Jester, dotted up by 6L in an Ascot bumper next time out. The 3rd, over 10L behind, won a Newbury novice next time out. The 4th home was 21L behind Charlie’s Glance and he has since won a maiden hurdle. Even the 5th and 6th have won races subsequently so it looks rock solid form.
Charlie’s Glance came up short in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree next time but he was too keen and he didn’t show his true ability. It was his first start last season when he won here so maybe he is best when fresh. His trainer Andrew Martin doesn’t have many horses but he knows how to train a winner and with James Martin taking off 7lbs, this fella’s form is strong enough to justify an each way interest at 14/1.
Friday Newbury Racing Tips: Charlie’s Glance e/w @ 14/1 NAP
1.50 – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3)
A disappointing turn out for this £20k handicap with just seven going to post. Boothill heads the betting for Harry Fry and Sam Twiston-Davies at odds of 13/8. He lost his unbeaten record under rules in a Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot last time (15.5f sft) but he lost no caste in defeat behind last year’s Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory. The fact he ran so well over timber is a bonus because this big son of Presenting has always been viewed as a future chaser by his trainer. They haven’t wasted any time getting him started and it will be fascinating to see how he fares.
Mr Coffey is more exposed over hurdles in comparison to the fav but his form is decent. On a line through his Betfair Hurdle form (10L behind Soaring Glory conceding 5lbs) he shouldn’t be too far away from Boothill on these terms. James Bowen’s mount does lack a recent run but he won first time up last season so that isn’t really a negative. The likes of Fifty Ball and Solo both have claims if at their best and if Cascova doesn’t refuse to race he has the ability to feature too. He is too risky though and with just two places on offer, this is one I’m happy to just watch. No bet.
Friday Newbury Racing Tips: No Bet
2.25 – Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Fanion D’Estruval is the market leader for this 20f handicap chase but surely he would prefer softer ground. Three of his last four wins, including one here over 16.5f, have come on soft/very soft. He has run well on better ground, including when beat 4L into 4th in a G2 last time at Aintree. A repeat of that would see him go very close here off 151 but at the prices, I’d prefer to look elsewhere.
Gaelik Coast has an attractive profile and he carried over 12 stone to victory last time. However, like the fav, three of his four wins have been on soft. The one I like off a mark of 137 is Amour Du Nuit for Nicholls and Frost. This 9yo son of Azamour made a satisfactory return to action at Chepstow in a G3 handicap hurdle last month. He has been running over the smaller obstacles and his will be his first chase start since February 2019.
He made a really strong start in this discipline, winning three of his first four chases. However, he was bitterly disappointing on his last two chase starts and connections opted to revert to hurdles. They have now decided to have another crack at chasing and he is in off 1lb lower than when beating The Unit in a handicap chase at Doncaster in 2018. He isn’t one for maximum stakes but if he jumps well he is handicapped to go close and at odds of 12/1, a small e/w interest is advised.
Friday Newbury Racing Tips: Amour de Nuit e/w @ 12/1
3.00 – Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)
Paisley Park doesn’t look as good as he once was and while he ran alright last time, that was a race he would have won doing handstands a couple of seasons ago. He has now won just one of his last six starts, the win coming in this race in 2020. That came on heavy ground but he is equally as effective on good to soft. Connections are reaching for cheekpieces now and that doesn’t inspire much confidence. I am a big fan of Paisley Park but on the balance of his recent form, he is worth opposing at 2/1.
The one I’ll take a chance on at 15/2 is Thomas Darby for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. This 8yo has only won 3 hurdle races but he should have won a lot more given his ability. He ran a lovely race at Aintree behind Thyme Hill on his final start of last season. He reappeared at Wetherby in the same race as Paisley Park and he finished 7L behind him in 4th.
This horse has tended to need his first run back so he should come on plenty for that. It is possible that he may have had some breathing issues too as a tongue tie is now applied. Although this son of Beneficial last won on heavy, his other three wins came on good to soft or quicker and that is his preferred ground. He gets his optimum conditions at Newbury, his trainer is flying and at odds of 15/2, today could be the day he finally breaks his duck at Grade 2 level.
Friday Newbury Racing Tips: Thomas Darby e/w @ 15/2 NB (3 places Hills/Betfred)
3.35 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
My original fancy for this race wasn’t declared but at least we still have 15 going to post. With extra places on offer, this is a nice race for e/w players and at a tasty price, maybe Drumlee Watar can bounce back from his poor run at Cheltenham last time. This 8yo son of Watar has been pretty consistent under rules. He has had 11 starts over timber, winning four and finishing in the first three in four.
He has winning form at 26f so stamina most definitely won’t be an issue. His last run came in a first time visor back in Novice company at Cheltenham and he was held up. Those tactics don’t suit this horse and he is far better when allowed to bowl along in front. He had won four of his previous five handicap starts, the first off 110 and then the last at Perth in September off 125.
Caoilin Quinn takes off 7lbs so he is effectively off 121 today. He has had two spins on this fella before, returning form figures of 12. He’ll enjoy the ground and despite being an 8yo, if you put a line through his last run he is still unexposed at staying distances over hurdles. The cheekpieces are back on, trip and ground look perfect and at odds of 28/1, Drumlee Watar is the each way selection for small stakes.
