Newcastle and Newbury Preview

2:20 Newcastle Fighting Fifth Hurdle Grade 1 Cl1 2m
A three-horse race with the two outsiders left in the race to pick up some prize money for the minor placings.

Binocular is the 11/10 (William Hill) favourite but having finished fifth and third in the race when odds-on he does come with a health warning. Nevertheless, he is the best horse in the race and he will enjoy the strong pace set by Overturn and Celestial Halo.

Overturn (7/2 with Ladbrokes) was a winner of the Coral Hurdle last weekend but he was fortunate that Oscar Whisky fell when about to lay down a big challenge. He was receiving 8lbs from the favourite last week but he is off level weights with the favourite today.

Celestial Halo (7/2 with Boylesports) has a similar profile. He benefitted from his main rival falling, when he won a grade two hurdle at Wincanton. Always a useful performer he can come up short when faced with the very best.

If you back the winner of the race with Stan James they will automatically match your bet on the same horse in the Stan James Champion Hurdle next March. Of the three Binocular is the only horse capable of achieving the double and therefore must rate the best bet in the race.

Selection: Binocular at evens but only with Stan James.

2:35 Newbury Long Distance Hurdle Grade 2 Cl1 3m110y
Big Buck’s one of National Hunt racing’s stars makes his seasonal reappearance. At 2/11 (Victor Chandler) in the betting he doesn’t appeal but this is a horse who has won his last 12 starts. Never a horse to win by a big margin he perhaps doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Duc De Regniere 22/1 (Stan James) can chase him home again.

Selection: No bet

3:10 Newbury Hennessy Gold Cup Grade 3 Cl1 3m2f110y
Aiteen Thirththree has drifted in the betting to 9/1 (William Hill) but rated 152 he could be ahead of the handicapper after finishing close to Somersby at Kempton last month. The one concern is that he likes to make the running and was pulled-up last time he was taken on for the lead.

Paddy Power winner Great Endeavour is 6/1 (Bet365) to follow up with another big handicap success and a 4lb penalty for his Cheltenham win doesn’t look prohibitive.

Wayward Prince ran some crackers last year, including when third in the RSA Chase. He will relish the strong pace and looks a lively contender at 8/1 (Victor Chandler).

Selection: Our tipster has other ideas with Carruthers 20/1 with Betfred (read his thoughts here)