INSIDE TRACK

Home to some of the finest horse racing - both flat and over jumps - Newbury stages ‘Super Saturday,’ writes Julie Williams.

With the Betfair Hurdle, and two Grade 2 races on offer they are entitled too.

For many an equine star it will be their last public outing before a date with destiny at the Cheltenham Festival.

This season at the track two jockeys who have been profitable to back are Barry Geraghty, offering a reasonable +£6.25 for a £1 level stake (with four wins from six rides), and David Bass who yields a +£6.50 return.

Backing trainers Philip Hobbs and Ben Pauling’s horses at Newbury this term has been hugely profitable with a return of +£32.50 and +£22.50 respectively.

In the 1:15pm an exciting prospect out of the Nicky Henderson yard catches the eye.

ANGEL’S BREATH (7/2) has no fancy price about it but the fiveyear-old will love the soft ground and I can see the son of SHANTOU going off much shorter come Saturday as he goes in pursuit of a third win on the bounce.

The 1:50pm is a three mile handicap hurdle and Fergal O’Brien trains DE NAME EVADES ME (9/1).

Previously placed over course and distance he looks a solid each way prospect as he continues to improve.

NATIVE RIVER (4/5) is a solid favourite for The Denman Chase at 2:25p.m .

Last year’s winner of the Gold Cup will have us all in a flutter should he reverse the shock defeat by CLAN DES OBEAUX (13/8) last time out.

For each way backers ANIBALE FLY (8/1) for JP McManus could be the value.

The gelding was withdrawn at Leopardstown on Saturday on account of the rattling ground. With ease in the turf predicted for Saturday he could give the front two in the betting a proper scare.

The winner of the ultracompetitive two mile Betfair Hurdle at 3:35pm is notoriously tricky to find.

In 2014 SPLASH OF GINGE romped home at 33/1; in 2016 AGRAPART did likewise at 16s with a youthful 5lb claimer called Lizzie Kelly in the saddle.

The Alan King-trained LISP (12/1) has shown steady improvement this season as the five-year-old (they have an excellent record in this race) has ran well in defeat in progressively better races; culminating in a fine second to MOHAAYED at Ascot in December. Philip Hobbs sends out ZANA (20/1) and alongside LISP (12/1) they are my small each way plays in the race.

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