Saturday Racing at Newbury and Warwick

Good National Hunt racing Saturday at Newbury and Warwick, as well as more over the Irish Sea, with the curtain being drawn down on the Punchestown Christmas Festival. Nicky Henderson has been in terrific form as of late, with another treble last Saturday, and could be the one to watch again come Saturday.

Racing at Newbury is always a great spectacle, with enthusiasm in the course coincidentally on an upward curve since Denman's two Hennessy wins in 2008 and 2010. CUE CARD ran last time out there, and was caught close home by Bobs Worth, who ran a game second behind RSA Chase favourite Grands Crus in the Feltham Chase at Kempton. His form is hard to ignore, with the biggest piece of form, the Supreme Novices Hurdle from last year, showing he ran fourth behind Al Ferod, 2/2 since chasing, Sprinter Sacre, who disposed of Champion Hurdle runner up Peddlers Cross, and Aintree Hurdle winner Spirit Son. The drop back in trip to 18 1/2 furlongs would seemingly suit a horse who has so much natural speed.

REY NACARADO has shown he is one of the games most prominent staying chasers, with a good second last time out to Giles Cross at Fontwell last time out, and can build further from that. Up 2lb for that second, the form in that race is working out well, Giles Cross running a game second in the Welsh National, and Le Beau Bai, pulled up that day, going on to win the Chepstow slugfest. He got out stayed last time over three and a half miles, and the two furlong shorter trip, based on his previous run, should suit the tough stayer.

Our final selection from Newbury comes in a class 3 juvenile hurdle, and is the interesting STENTORIAN, who has recently gone to Gary Moore, being a subsequently group placed flat horse for Mark Johnston. He showed plenty of promise as a two year old, finishing behind Zoffany and King Torus, but failed to build on that, eventually running over extended trips, his last run being over two miles. He has a lost of class in his pedigree, being a chestnut colt out of Street Cry. He ran a good second over hurdles first term out, and will be able to build on that, and should also be a decent price, with the Alan King horse Vendor expected to go off odds on.

Going across to Warwick, the master of Seven Barrows has a terrific record and MUSH MIR is expected to continue his fine form, by taking the 1.45, a novices chase. He lost his unbeaten record last time out after three impressive outings for the former George Baker runner, however given the form, he wasn't disgraced. He finished third that day, but the winner has since won a novice hurdle once more, and the second has won two novice hurdles, including a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. He has 12lb in hand on official ratings, and providing he takes to chasing, he should be a good thing.
BALLYOLIVER could turn out to be a very tasty each way price in the 2.50, which as it stands, is an eight runner handicap, meaning each way odds 1/5 1-2-3. The Venetia Williams trained horse has been steadily dropped by the handicapper, who has taken him down another 3lb for his recent fourth at Folkestone. He seemed to tire in the last couple of furlongs in soft conditions, and a bit firmer ground could help with his stamina.

It woud be very surprising if the David Pipe trained SPIRITOFBARBADOS didn't give a good account of himself in the 13.10, a conditional handicap hurdle, who aims to bounce back to form after returning from a break. Conor O' Farrell takes the ride, and has previously finished first and third on two runs on the five year old son of Oscar, which is another good omen. He finished behind Mister Chancer last time out, and the form from that run, as well as his others during the summer is working out well, and he could have a good few pounds in hand with the handicapper.

12.55 Newbury - Stentorian
14.05 Newbury - Cue Card (Nb)
14.35 Newbury - Rey Nacarado
13.10 Warwick - Spiritofbarbados
13.45 Warwick - Mush Mir (Nap)
14.50 Warwick - Ballyoliver (Ew)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner