Racing Preview

We’re two Saturdays out from Cheltenham and while the talking has been done for most of the runners likely to run at The Festival, there’s still plenty of decent action to look forward to.

12:40 Newbury

I probably spent more time than I should have on this race considering how difficult it appears at first glance. It is confined to 8YO+ and, as such, features several runners who are falling down the weights having raced off higher marks in the past. Consequently, it’s a difficult race to predict as any one of five or six runners could bounce back to the form they showed previously. However, you can’t underestimate the important of consistency at this level and one horse who couldn’t be in better form is NOT A ROLE MODEL. He has made all in his last two starts, over fences at Wincanton and over hurdles at Fakenham, and there was a lot to like about both performances. He jumped well, did it the hard way and showed a great attitude. Looking at this race, there isn’t much pace in here so he should be able to dictate from the front again. Kevin Brogan takes off a valuable 5lb and he looks to have every chance of winning again.

2pts WIN – NOT A ROLE MODEL – 7/2 General – 12:40 Newbury

1:50 Newbury

This is a cracker! There are a couple of horses in here who will be familiar to Superhero bets followers, namely Killer Clown who won well for us at Kempton and Another Crick, who ran well at Warwick last time. Naturally, these were my two starting points and while I mulled over it for a while, I think a 15lb rise was harsh enough for Killer Crown, for all he was impressive. Another Crick is a funny one as he gets lots of weight here, but he lugged in a little the last day and didn’t really see out his race as well as I’d hoped. That being said, he’s a previous winner on good ground and he does look well-handicapped.

Paul Nicholls has farmed this race over the past 15 years, winning it nine times with the likes of Aerial and Sametegal, and he runs two here, most notably GRAND SANCY who has a lot going for him today. He goes well fresh, loves good ground, enjoys going left-handed and he’s the classiest of these having won a Grade One in the past. He jumps fences well and I think he could blow this field apart. You can make a case for a few in behind him, but he’s the one that represents the class in this field and I think he’ll be very hard to beat.

4pts WIN – GRAND SANCY – 9/2 Bet365 – 1:50 Newbury

2:05 Kelso

MEGA YEATS looks very well handicapped off a mark of 124 and she can strike for the in-from Mark Walford here. She was a decent horse for Ruth Jefferson, winning a bumper and two hurdles and finishing second in a very valuable mares’ bumper behind The Glancing Queen. She ran well behind subsequent Coral Cup winner, Dame De Compagnie, when last seen over hurdles. That was in December 2019 however, so she has had some issues, but she ran a lovely race in a jumpers bumper three weeks ago on her reappearance and that will have left her spot on for this.

2pts WIN – MEGA YEATS – 10/3 General – 2:05 Kelso

2:40 Kelso

CLOTH CAP was magnificent in the Ladbrokes Trophy and while thee Grand National is his main aim, he looks to have an outstanding chance in this race. He looked a different horse last time and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take another step-forward here. He bowls along in front and bounces off decent ground which he’s going to get here. Aso and Two For Gold had a tough race last time, but I’m not convinced either of them are convincing stayers. Lake View Lad and Defintly Red stay very well, but they’re pushing on in years now and might prefer softer ground. Cloth Cap is the improver and he looks rock solid here.

3pts WIN – CLOTH CAP – 3/1 – 4:05 Kelso