Tuesday 17th February 2026
Newbury
2.15 Newbury: OLBG ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase:
QUEBECOIS should be tough to beat in the opener at Newbury for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The drop back down to two miles is interesting; however, the likely testing ground should help on that front, and he has several pounds in hand on ratings with his rivals here on these terms. He was a nose-second to Jordans Cross in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time out, and a repeat of that level of form would be enough to take this. Old Cowboy could prove is main danger, he was a four-length winner of a handicap here on his penultimate start in December, before falling at Kempton last time out.
2.45 Newbury: Boyle Sports Cheltenham Bank Builder Jackpot Maiden Hurdle:
This looks like a good opportunity for TALAKAN (NB) for the team of Toby Lawes & Kevin Brogan. He’s run well in both of his starts since joining this yard, finishing third of eight at Ascot in January, before finishing a neck second at Ludlow earlier this month. He gets weight from his rivals here with the four-year-old allowance, and could take some beating. Giantsgrave could prove the main danger for the Skeltons; he’s a bumper winner, and there should be more to come from him over hurdles.
3.20 Newbury: Boyle Sports Home Of Early Payout ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle:
Having won by three and a half lengths at Ffos Las last time out, BOBBY’S NELSON (NAP) looks the one to beat here for Phillip Hobbs & Johnson White. That success also came on heavy ground, so the likely testing surface here shouldn’t be an issue at all. He’s open to plenty more improvement, and another bold showing would be no surprise. Swindon Village appears to be the main danger for Charlie Longsdon and David Bass. He was a five-and-a-half-length winner on his penultimate start at Leicester, before seemingly failing to get home over three miles at Windsor last time.
3.55 Newbury: 500 Logistics Decade Of Delivery Handicap Chase:
The progressive HAVAILA could take another step forward here for Gary & Josh Moore. He’s been ultra-consistent over fences, and was third of sixteen last time out in a competitive Class 3 handicap at Windsor over three miles and four and a half furlongs. He’ll have no issue with the likely testing surface, and has every chance of going well again off just a two-pound higher mark. The ten-year-old Brave Kingdom will likely be the main danger for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He was only a length and a half behind Royal Jewel last time out at Taunton, and would be a player if backing that run up here.
4.30 Newbury: Finli Live Your Best Financial Life Handicap Hurdle:
Martin Keighley’s GLANCE OF GLORY could be the one to side with here under seven-pound claimer Freddie Keighley. He won a maiden at Worcester back in September before following up with handicap success at the same track the following month. He was last seen when finishing fourth of eight at Aintree in December when upped in distance to three miles, and it’s likely that he didn’t fully see out that trip. He’s back down in distance here, and off the same mark as his Aintree run, with a further seven coming off his back via his rider; he has to rate as a player. He’s unexposed and can go well. Robber’s Bridge is the likely main danger for Dan Horsford and Brendan Powell; he won by eleven lengths last time out at Exeter, and a seven-pound rise may not stop him from following up.
5.05 Newbury: Boyle Sports Daily Money Back Meetings Conditional Jockeys’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle:
HARMONY HEIGHTS posted a very encouraging effort on her handicap debut at Lingfield last time out, finishing two and a quarter of a length second of nine on soft ground, over a distance just under three miles. She was raised two pounds by the handicapper; however, today’s rider, Fern O’Brien, takes three off her back, effectively making her a pound well-in. If she naturally builds on her Lingfield effort, she has to be considered as a player here for Fergal O’Brien. Harry Derham’s Katie’s Melody looks like the main danger; she’s a point and bumper winner who has shown promise in novice company.
2.15 Newbury – QUEBECOIS (1/2) (Win) – Old Cowboy (Danger)
2.45 Newbury – TALAKAN (7/4) (Win) (NB) – Giantsgrave (Danger)
3.20 Newbury – BOBBY’S NELSON (11/10) (Win) (NAP) – Swindon Village (Danger)
3.55 Newbury – HAVAILA (5/1) (Each-Way) – Brave Kingdom (Danger)
4.30 Newbury – GLANCE OF GLORY (7/1) (Each-Way) – Robber’s Bridge (Danger)
5.05 Newbury – HARMONY HEIGHTS (11/4) (Win) – Katie’s Melody (Danger)
