The Scotsman

Fortune can favour Atlanta Brave, with the trip and going looking perfect at Newbury

- Tony Kelshaw

Atlanta Brave is fancied to secure a deserved first success over fences in today’s Get Best Odds Guaranteed At Betvictor Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Newbury.

Kerry Lee's charge picked up a couple of hurdle wins last term before finishing fourth in a hot contest at this twoday meeting when among the market leaders.

Blow Your Wad, Inneston and Equinus were in front of him and all three have gone on to frank the form in subsequent outings.

Atlanta Brave disappoint­ed on his chasing debut at Cheltenham in October, although two and a half miles on good ground was far from ideal.

Stepped up to three miles at Exeter, he did well to recover from a bad mistake mid-race before finishing second to well-backed favourite Enjoy Your Life.

The six-year-old was then only edged out late on by Surrey Quest here over an extra two furlongs and the feeling is that this week's track, trip and going conditions will prove the perfect combinatio­n.

Secret Investor can kick things off at the Berkshire circuit by proving a cut above his rivals in the Lengthen The Odds At Betvictor Open Hunters' Chase.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 12-year-old sidesteppe­d the Cheltenham Festival this term and can enhance an impressive record at this venue instead, having beaten Clan Des Obeaux in the 2021 Denman Chase.

Nigel Twiston-davies will be hoping The Newest One can get back on track in the Bet Inplay On Racing At Betvictor Novices' Hurdle. He has faced tough assignment­s on his last two starts but previously romped home by 19 lengths at Chepstow after a fine second to Buddy One at Cheltenham, so certainly looks worth sticking with back down in class this afternoon.

Steel Ally went into the notebook as one to follow when making all to score by a comfortabl­e six lengths at Wincanton at the start of last month.

He was denied a couple of subsequent opportunit­ies due to bad weather but can prove worth the wait in the Betvictor Gamble Responsibl­y Handicap Hurdle.

Mt Fugi Park was pulled up on heavy ground in an Albert Bartlett trial at Haydock last time out but is taken to redeem his reputation in the Steve Jobar MND Handicap Hurdle.

A £290,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-topoint, the six-year-old beat a useful sort in Wrappedupi­nmay at Ffos Las on his debut for Jonjoo'neillandth­enaccounte­d for Alcedo at Leicester so should perform well today.

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