Another cracking day of jump racing action this Saturday with two top cards at Newbury and Newcastle. So after a stack of winners last weekend don’t miss Andy Newton’s best ITV Racing tips and 1-2-3 best bets.
On Friday, Andy fired in Wendigo and Impose Toi to win from the LIVE ITV races at Newbury and is back for more on Saturday.
ITV Racing Tips From Newbury and Newcastle: Andy Newton’s Saturday 1-2-3 Best BetsĀ
It’s ‘NEW’ all the way this weekend on the LIVE ITV Racing schedule with both Newbury and Newcastle playing host to six races on the ‘free-to-air’ channel.
There are four ITV contests at Newbury, that are highlighted with the Coral Gold Cup at 2:55pm.
A race that sees four Willie Mullins runners as he starts to ramp-up his trainers’ title championship defense.
Then up at Newcastle, we’ve two more races that include a small but select field lining-up in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at 2pm.
The 2m contest will see the return of the 2022 winner Constitution Hill. But he’s taking on two promising hurdlers in the making – The New Lion and Anzadam.
Who is your money on, in a race that will give us plenty of Champion Hurdle clues?
Newbury Racing Tips: Myre To Paint The ‘Town’ Red In Coral Gold CupĀ
1:40 – Coral āDaily Rewards Shakerā Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 2m4Ā½f ITV
French Ship was impressive when winning at Cheltenham in October and despite being hiked up 8lbs looks the sort to have more in the tank.
He’s still only five and the Hobbs/White team have also given him 36 days to recover.
Lud’or is one of the Cheltenham Festival favourites already as this Tom Symonds runner is fancied for the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
He comes here after a 27-length win at Bangor last time, but has been raised a massive 13lbs and this is, of course, a harder race.
That said, he looks a smart individual and the yard is going well.
But ALL of the last nine winners of this were aged between six-eight years-old and that would rule out both five year-olds Lud’or and French Ship.
Nicky Henderson Has Done Well In The Race Before
Seven of the last nine winners also won with 11st 1lbs or more and trainer Nicky Henderson has a good record (three wins).
Therefore, his EAST INDIA EXPRESS could be some value – despite falling and pulling up in recent runs.
He was still in the mix when taking a tumble in the French Ship race at Cheltenham two runs ago.
Then last time probably found 3m 1/2 too far and was pulled up behind Haiti Couleurs at Haydock.
The Hendo yard are in better form now too and he’s run well here at Newbury, despite not winning.
Then the last one I like is PERSONAL AMBITION, who should make a bold bid from the front.
He just got run out of things last time at Carlisle after making most of the running.
But it’s a stiff finish there and that was also his first run back since March.
He’s dropped a pound too and the winning that day Hartington franked the form last weekend to run a blinder (2nd) at Haydock.
š„EAST INDIA EXPRESS
š„PERSONAL AMBITION
š„FRENCH SHIPĀ
2:15 ā Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) Cl1 (4yo+) 2mĀ½f ITV
With 18 of the last 19 winners aged six or younger, that is against the seven year-old Indeevar Bleu.
While 17 of the last 19 winners had raced at least four times over hurdles.
Which would be a negative for the likely favourite Live Conti and Viyanni, who have both had just three runs.
Give It To Me Oj did well on the flat in the summer and won at Cheltenham over the sticks last month.
But had to work hard for that odds-on win and it won’t be easy carrying 12st here.
Indemnity ran Alexei to three lengths at Ascot last time and that form has been franked with the winner landing the Greatwood Hurdle.
I just worry a tad about the softer ground here.
Harry Cobden also rode his 1,000th career winner on this Emma Lavelle horse. But he’s ridden by Gavin Sheehan, who won this race 12 months ago on Navajo Indy, this time.
Tutti Quanti Is Better Than His Last Run
Cobden is riding for the Paul Nicholls yard here on TUTTI QUANTI. Who could be overpriced after a poor run last time in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
He was sent off just 11/4 for that race but at the time the stable’s horses were a bit in-and-out.
He’s down two pounds here and should also be a lot more at home on the softer ground.
Yes, he might want further in time, but I certainly think he’s better than that last run.
Then despite failing down on the ‘only having three hurdles runs’ stat – VIYANNI is still interesting.
This Harry Derham entry ran third to the classy Lulamba at Ascot last season and with that horse rated in the 150’s, his opening handicap mark of 124 looks fair.
He’s since been an easy winner at Ludlow after that Ascot run and the yard is going well.
š„VIYANNI
š„TUTTI QUANTI
š„INDEMNITYĀ
2:55 ā Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m2f ITV
24 runners heading to post here in what looks a cracking renewal of the Coral Gold Cup. Or the Hennessy to older folk.
Paul Nicholls rode the two winners of the Hennessy in 1986 and 87, has also trained four winners, with the most recent Kandoo Kid last year.
You can WATCH Nicholls riding back-to-back Hennessy winners here.
He tries again for the same owners with Inch House. He’s a course winner and showed better form last time with a sixth to Three Card Brag at Cheltenham.
The Paul Weller horse ‘The Changing Man’ looks a banker to hit the frame with nine top three finishes over fences and the Tizzard camp are going well.
But has only recorded one win so has been frustrating in terms of winning. However, does sport the first-time cheekpieces here.
Resplendent Grey is a staying chaser I like too and will have the services of Sean Bowen.
He won well on his return race at Carlisle, but the second Handstands let the form down a bit next time in the Betfair Chase.
Willie Mullins sends over four as he tries to win the race for a second time, with Total Recall being his sole winner in 2017.
Kerry National winner Spanish Harlem looks one of their main hopes with Danny Mullins riding, but is up 16lbs for that last win.
Hyland seems to be dining out on a second to The Jukebox Man. And Katate Dori has struggled since going up the ratings when winning the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton.
Favourites Have Won 30% Of The Last 23 RunningsĀ
So the two I like there are last year’s third VICTTORINO and the well-fancied MYRETOWN.Ā
The former is up 4lbs from last year.
However, he ran on well that day so we know the trip suits. Plus there are signs the Venetia Williams yard are about to hit some form.
He’s still only seven and has also gone well fresh before.
Then likely favourite Myretown could easily progress into being better than a handicapper.
Lucinda Russell, who has trained a few good ones before, is saying this eight year-old might be one of the best she’s had.
He bolted up in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March (The Changing Man second). And despite being up 15lbs still gets in here with 10st 11lbs.
Russell’s Corach Rambler was rated 160. So if their claims in Myretown being up there with him, then could still be very well-treated off 142 – we’ll see.
Even though this race has been super competitive – it’s been a good for the favourites, with seven of the last 23 winning (30%).
Including three jollies going in since 2016 and the most recent Le Milos is 2022.
I’ll take Myretown to add to those Coral Gold Cup stats – if going off as the market leader, which I think he will.
š„MYRETOWN
š„VICTTORINOĀ
š„THE CHANGING MANĀ
3:35 ā Coral āPipped-At-The-Postā And Win Handicap Chase (For The Jim Joel Memorial Trophy) (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-140) 2mĀ½f ITV
General Medrano took this race last year and has to be respected despite being up 8lbs
He blew away the cobwebs with a fourth at Ascot last time, but the form of that has taken a few knocks since.
Rare Edition was second to Thistle Ark and that horse has since franked the form to win the Haldon Gold Cup.
While Doyen Du Bar and CD winner Etalon are others that have claims.
But the ones I like here are JAVERT ALLEN and RATH GAUL HILL.Ā
The former did well last season over fences and was fourth on his seasonal return at Aintree.
Is also down a pound and is another CD winner that hails from the Jane Williams yard, who are in good order at the moment.
Then Rath Gaul Hill is interesting too – mainly as he’s two-from-two here at Newbury.
He’s also still lightly-raced with only seven chase runs but has gone well fresh in the past too.
And Brendan Powell, who is riding very well at the moment, is a plus in the saddle.
š„JAVERT ALLEN
š„RATH GAUL HILL
š„GENERAL MEDRANO
Newcastle Racing Tips: Lion To Roar Home In Fighting Fifth HurdleĀ
2:00 Newcastle ā BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m1f ITV
Just the five Fighting Fifth Hurdle runners here, but a cracking renewal that will give us a lot of Champion Hurdle clues.
I think it’s safe to say we can rule out Nemean Lion and even last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace.
So that leaves the 2022 winner Constitution Hill, Anzadam and The New Lion – take your pick.
All will have their backers and all have conundrums attached to them.
Constitution Hill is the clear top-rated (170). However, is on a mega recovery mission after two falls and a poor run in Ireland.
Anzadam is potentially smart, but Mullins has never won this race and why didn’t he run last week at Punchestown?
Then The New Lion has done nothing wrong, but having won over further – will the drop back in trip suit?
So, you can pick holes in all three.
The New Lion Looks The Safest Option
But, for me, the safest call has to be the unbeaten THE NEW LION.Ā
Yes, a longer trip would probably have suited better, but on a plus we know he stays and I don’t think he’s short of pace anyway.
He’s still only six years-old and often the Champion Hurdle (if he ends up there) is won by a horse that has to stay.
So, really The New Lion does seem to have the right mix of speed and stamina.
Of course, a fit and peak form Constitution Hill would be hard to beat. But surely it’s hard to be confident after his last three runs.
While Anzadam has looked smart in his two wins. But this is another step up. Paul Townend coming over is a plus though and the money has come for him.
It’s a fascinating renewal that we could even see the three main players all going off as 2/1 joint jollies – wow!
š„THE NEW LION
š„ANZADAMĀ
š„CONSTITUTION HILLĀ
3:15 Newcastle ā BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m7Ā½f ITV
ALL of the last 20 winners DIDN’T win last time out. Which would be a negative for Cruz Control and Hang In There.
15 of the last 20 winners also ran in the last six weeks and were also unplaced in their last race.
The Skelton camp will have a popular pick with Deafening Silence. And with only 10st 8lbs could be well-handicapped off 132.
But the two that look slightly better value are KONFUSION and HOLD THAT TAUGHT.Ā
The last-named comes from the Venetia Williams yard that has a top record in this race. They’ve won the last two and three of the last eight.
You also feel it can’t be too long before their horses kick into gear. While the first-time blinkers also catch the eye.
Then Konfusion was up with the pace last time when unseating last time at Haydock when favourite.
It’s interesting the in-form yard are sending him back out only seven days after that and prior to that was a nice winner at Wetherby.
š„KONFUSION
š„HOLD THAT TAUGHT
š„DEAFENING SILENCEĀ
