Newbury Jumps Season Finale Saturday

Newbury's end of season meeting over jumps comes along this weekend with two days of action across Friday and Saturday at their Jumps Season Finale.

Saturday's card runs from 13:40-17:00 and includes Grade 2 handicap action via the British EBF BetVictor "National Hunt" Mares' Novices' Hurdle (15:15) as well as a competitive handicap chase (14:40).

We've assessed the action across the card on Saturday at Newbury and picked out our best bets.

13:40 - John Haine Memorial Novices' Hurdle (2m½f)

Cannock Park is the standard setter dropping down in class, but GOODWIN should have enough in the locker to get the better of him. A wide-margin winner of a Fontwell bumper last season, the six-year-old got off the mark over hurdles at Plumpton in December. He ran well when third under a penalty when last seen at Kempton in January and the more the ground dries out the better for him. He won't hang about on the front end and it might take a good one to peg him back.

Selection: Goodwin

14:10 - Bet In-Play On Racing With BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m3f)

Trainer Dan Skelton is in unbelievable form at present, and given everything he does at the moment seems to turn to gold, KARTOON AND CO is tipped to get his head back in front. The Stratford winner only found subsequent Adonis second Givemefive too good at Market Rasen in December, and he left it a little too late when staying on strongly to finish second behind Spiced Rum at Sandown on handicap debut over two miles this month. The step up in trip here will be a massive help.

Selection: Kartoon And Co

14:40 - Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Handicap Chase (2m4f)

Last year's winner of this race HELTENHAM is back for more and he arrives here off the back of a scintillating success in the Greatwood Gold Cup over course and distance at the start of the month. He has a 6lb rise in the weights to contend with, but the way he travelled through his last race would suggest he could still be well ahead of the assessor.

Selection: Heltenham

15:15 - British EBF BetVictor "National Hunt" Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m4½f)

The feature race on the card is a very tricky puzzle to try to work out, but a chance is taken on Mel Rowley's MARMALADE TIME to continue on an upward trajectory now she knows what it feels like to walk into the winner's enclosure. The five-year-old made virtually all when scoring over 2m3½f at Doncaster on heavy ground when last seen, and if she's given a soft lead carrying a low weight, she has every chance. Better ground is an unknown.

Selection: Marmalade Time

15:50 - Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper (2m½f)

A valuable pot up for grabs and a chance in an open heat is taken on CREST OF FORTUNE from the Honeyball stable. The son of Doyen was given a prominent ride when scoring in good fashion at Wincanton on his debut in December, and if he handles better ground he rates as the one they all have to beat. The biggest danger to the selection could be the Paul Nicholls-trained Regent's Stroll who created a fine impression when winning an Ascot bumper in November.

Selection: Crest Of Fortune

16:25 - Colleagues Celebration Of Business Handicap Chase (2m½f)

MOUNT TEMPEST was nowhere near his best when pulling up at Chepstow last month, but he is taken to get back on track with Harry Skelton taking over in the saddle. The seven-year-old son of Walk In The Park looked very progressive prior to that effort, winning back-to-back at Sandown and Wetherby before running a credible third behind Kotmask at Sandown. The Skeltons can do no wrong in handicaps at present and this lad still looks like he is off a workable mark.

Selection: Mount Tempest

17:00 - Visit Irish Store Sales With ITM Veterans' Handicap Chase (2m7½f)

Heavily backed when second to runaway winner Highland Hunter here at this track over 3m2f this month, FORTESCUE can take this drop in grade in his stride and win the finale in the hands of Harry Cobden. Well clear of the remaining horses on the day, he just bumped into a proper mud lover, but he has had a wind op since and the drop in trip won't be an inconvenience. The 10-year-old should go off a warm order for this and should take the beating.

Selection: Fortescue