Wednesday 14th January 2026
1.05 Newbury: Boyle Sports Home Of Early Payout Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Qualifier) (Class 3)
We have three selections from Newbury on Wednesday, the first of which comes within the 1.05, which is a Class 3 novice event that’s contested over two miles and half of a furlong. Nicky Herndson has a potentially exciting recruit here in FIRE WARNING, who’s the mount of James Bowen. He’s a gelding by The Grey Gatsby, and was purchased from France for 350,000, and now sports the famous Ricci silks. He finished second on his last outing over hurdles, and was on three-quarters of a length behind a previous winner on that occasion, with that horse since coming out to win by a wide margin, and run well within Grade 1 company. The Henderson charge was also ten lengths clear of the third on that occasion. Seven Barrows have a fine record in this race, and this runner could be useful. Hopefully, he won’t open up too short in the betting.
FIRE WARNING – (5/6) (Win) (NAP)
2.05 Newbury: DJB Cleaning Handicap Chase (For The Harwell Trophy) (Class 4)
Our second selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.05, and this is a Class 4 handicap chase over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. The Warren Greatrex-trained BUCKNA comes into this contest in fine form, having won back-to-back handicap chases, with his most recent success being a ten-length romp at Hereford last month. He’s been raised seven pounds for that particular performance; however, that may not be enough to halt his current rate of progression, and he’s another big player for James Bowen.
BUCKNA – (3/1) (Win)
3.50 Newbury: Boyle Sports Daily Money Back Meetings Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
The third and final selection for us on the day at Newbury comes within the concluding race of the card, which is the 3.50 and a Class 4 handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys over two miles and half of a furlong. Dan Skelton could hold the key here with LEAUMEC DE MEE, who’s set to be ridden by six-pound claimer Harry Atkins. He was a two-length winner of a maiden hurdle when last seen at Sedgefield, keeping on well, whilst still looking as though he was learning on the job. There’s likely to be considerable improvement now he’s handicapping, and this opening mark could well underestimate him.
LEAUMEC DE MEE – (10/3) (Win)
