Newbury Racing Betting Tips
The final Grade 1 of the year in Britain takes place on Monday afternoon as Newbury stage their Challow Hurdle card.
The feature event goes off at 15:00 and is headlined by a horse trainer Paul Nicholls has likened to the mighty Denman, winner of this race in late 2005.
We have race-by-race selections for Monday's Newbury card, which runs from 12.05-15.35.
12.05 - Mares' Handicap Hurdle (2m½f)
The top-weight Arclight has to be considered racing from a reduced mark over hurdles, but RULA BULA could land this for Jonjo & AJ O'Neill with Jonjo Jr steering. She had some good form last season as a novice, including finishing second over C&D in a Listed race, and she made a winning comeback at Carlisle last month when fending off a decisive next-time-out winner.
Selection: Rula Bula
12.40 - 'Introductory' Hurdle (2m½f)
ACT OF INNOCENCE was a commanding winner of a maiden hurdle over this track and trip last month for Nicky Henderson, putting the promising Sinnatra in his place and looking very strong through the winning line. He's got a penalty for that stylish win but there is every chance he defies it.
Selection: Act Of Innocence
13.15 - Handicap Chase (2m½f)
The progressive JOREBEL is 2-2 over fences for Chris Gordon and won with any amount in hand at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) at the start of this month. He's a sound jumper and conceded plenty of weight last time. The handicapper has bumped him up 10lb and he is now taking on classier rivals, but it may well give him a chance to further showcase his promise in this discipline.
Selection: Jorebel
13.50 - Mandarin Handicap Chase (3m2f)
MINELLA BLUEWAY has disappointed in his two starts this season, but it was a similar story last term before he started to find his way and signed off with wins at Ludlow and Uttoxeter in the spring over three-miles. The handicapper has cut him some slack and the Evan Williams-trained seven-year-old could bounce back in a contest where plenty have questions to address.
Selection: Minella Blueway @ 6/1
14.22 - Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)
The consistent profile of TORRENT could be overlooked by the market. Nigel Hawke's four-year-old Camelot gelding rarely runs a bad race and has two wins and eight more placed efforts from 13 starts over timber. He has run well in two of three runs this season and his poor effort was in a hot race at Ascot. He makes some each-way appeal in a tight handicap.
Selection: Torrent @ 14/1
15.00 - Challow Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m4½f)
The Denman comparisons are unlikely to cease if NO DRAMA THIS END emulates The Tank by winning this Grade 1. Paul Nicholls has never been shy in talking up a smart young horse and the Ditcheat handler's high regard for this horse could be well founded. Nicholls' record six wins in this race have seen him capture the prize in four of the last five years and his grip on the race can remain strong.
Selection: No Drama This End @ 8/15
15:35 - Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m6½f)
Ben Jones and Rebecca Curtis have already sampled major-race successes over Christmas and they can continue in good form with NEWTON TORNADO in the closing contest. He was a faller at Cheltenham in November on his chasing bow, when still holding every chance, but made amends at Bangor-on-Dee (3m, heavy) last month with a convincing performance from the front. There should be more to come from him.
Selection: Newton Tornado @ 15/8
