Saturday 10th February 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where my focus turns to Newbury where it’s Betfair Hurdle Day. I’ll have several selections there throughout the afternoon, including my pick in the feature itself. Make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting.
1.30: Betfair Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle: I kick things off with the 1.30 which is a handicap hurdle over three miles. I’m with Kyntara here for the team of Mel Rowley and Charlie Deutsch. He was unlucky not to continue his winning sequence at Warwick las time out when travelling extremely well before making a mess of the last, which ultimately cost him the race. He’s up four pounds for that effort in second, however, I still think he could be better than this mark and he’ll also relish the testing conditions. Kyntara – 7/2F (Win)
2.05: Betfair Denman Chase: Next up it’s the Grade 2 Denman Chase which is contested over a distance of two miles and seven and a half furlongs. Despite his couple of mishaps this season, it’s hard for me to see past Shishkin here who heads the betting for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He appeared to have the King George at his mercy on his most recent outing before unseating, and a repeat of that level of form should be far too strong for today’s level of opposition, and the form they have shown so far this season. Shishkin – 8/13F (Win)
2.40: Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase: It’s more Grade 2 action at 2.40 with the Game Spirit Chase over two miles and half of a furlong. This is a trappy renewal of the race, to say the least, I’m not convinced about Edwardstone back down in trip on what he’s shown lately and Boothill comes here on the back of a fall as well as being up in grade. Therefore, I’m going to take a chance on Editeur Du Gite for Gary Moore and Niall Houlihan. He was well beaten last time at Cheltenham but won well on his penultimate outing in Grade 2 company at Kempton, the ground will be testing here so if he gets an easy time out in front he could prove very difficult to peg back. Editeur Du Gite – 11/2 (Win)
3.15: Betfair Hurdle: The feature race of the afternoon is the Betfair Hurdle and this competitive Premier Handicap comes up at 3.15 over two miles and half of a furlong. I’ve tried my hand with two picks in the race, the first of which is Altobelli for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. He looks a progressive sort and ran a cracking race when third off the same mark last time out at Ascot in an equally as competitive handicap, there should be more to come. I also like Spirit D’Aunou for Gary Moore and Caollin Quinn who takes off three pounds. He should have no issues with the testing conditions having won well on heavy at Sandown, and despite a significant rise in the weights he’s still only five and looks to be firmly on the up. Altobelli – 15/2 (Each-Way) & Spirit D’Aunou – 9/1 (Each-Way)
3.50: Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: My concluding selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.50 which is a handicap chase for novices over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’m going to side with a horse who’s somewhat of an enigma here in Mister Coffey for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. It’s been a very long time in between drinks for him when it comes to winning, however, he has been thrown in some very competitive and highly contested events, and this represents a slight ease in grade. I don’t think he’ll have an issue with the surface and he should put his vast experience to good use. Mister Coffey – 7/2 (Win)
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