Rescheduled Newbury Meeting Preview

12:10 Betfair Super Saturday Chase Grade 2 Cl1 2m1f
Sprinter Sacre is many people’s idea of a Festival banker at 9/4 (Betfred) for the Arkle. Up against more experienced chasers the 8/13 (William Hill) looks skinny with a couple of lively rivals.

French Opera (11/1 Stan James) won the race last year and shouldn’t be dismissed. He has a tremendous record fresh, winning on his seasonal debut in three of the last four years. The one negative is that he is giving 5lbs away to his rivals and has always fallen short of being top class, losing both times he has raced in Grade 1 contests.

A 25/1 (BetVictor) outsider for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, Hold Fast could shake up the market with a win at Newbury. For an eight-year-old he is very lightly raced, having only his tenth start. He earned a good Topspeed rating when winning a decent handicap at Sandown in December, a race Paul Nicholls has won with Master Minded in the past. He is 5/1 (Bet Victor) to win today.

Verdict: Hold Fast to win at 5/1 with BetVictor

12:40 Betfair Denman Chase Grade 2 Cl1 3m
Long Run is the strong 4/6 (William Hill) favourite. He is the reigning Gold Cup winner and despite suffering two defeats this season he remains a top class horse.

Looking at the rest, Burton Port (9/1 Blue Square) is of most interest. Last time we saw him he finished second in the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup. Only eight-years-old there is time for him to enjoy a fruitful career but after 447 days away from the track he is only one to watch for now.

Verdict: Long Run to win at 4/6 with William Hill.

1:15 Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) Grade 3 Cl1 2m110y
A 15/2 (Sportingbet) chance for the Champion Hurdle, in theory Zarkandar should run out at comfortable winner but there are causes for concern. It is his first start in 316 days and Paul Nicholls has admitted this is a prep race for Cheltenham. With 19 rivals to beat, the 7/2 (William Hill) is skinny.

Raya Star took the valuable Ladbroke Hurdle back in December and carrying only 10st 3lbs it is feasible he could make it a big handicap double at 12/1 (Boylesports).

The unbeaten Darlan features prominently in the betting at 10/1 (Bet365) but this is a massive step up in class with his form not standing up to much scrutiny.

Verdict: Our tipster goes with Empire Levant at 16/1 with Bet365 (read his thoughts here)