HAVE A GAMBLE
PUT FAITH IN HARRY’S GAME MARE
IN the Coral Handicap Chase over two and a half miles at Newbury this afternoon, MARTATOR (1.15) can land the prize for the bang in-form Venetia Williams.
Runner-up off a ledge of 117 over course and distance 10 days ago, the beast can go one better off a pound higher mark.
I’m also sticking with the same trainer in the Betfred Handicap Chase over a stamina-sapping three and half miles in the Haydock Park mud.
ROBYNDZONE (1.25) will have only 9st 12lb on his back with the excellent Ned Fox claiming 5lb, and that gives him a massive advantage over his rivals.
Paul Nicholls has a good record when he sticks blinkers on his horses for the first time, so I’m going to take a chance on IRISH HILL (1.50) with the shades applied in the Coral Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Newbury.
He scored off a rating of 128 at Ascot in February so he is weighted to take this off a perch of 127.
Harry Derham took over the training of QUEENS GAMBLE (2.10) from Oliver Sherwood, who is now his assistant.
The pair have plotted up this talented lady to snare the Listed Byerley Stud Mares’ Hurdle over two miles at Taunton since she obliged at Kempton Park in November.
She was a top-class bumper horse under her old handler and she will take all the beating.
It looks as though STRIKING A POSE (2.25) has been plotted up for the Coral Racing Club Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury over three and a quarter miles, as one of his owners is Simon Clare, who has worked with great distinction for the sponsors for many moons.
Joe Tizzard’s creature is running for the second time after a wind operation and runs off a mark of 113. The gelding obliged off a ledge of 128 at Exeter on his last trip to the winners’ enclosure.
Having jumped poorly on his last two starts over fences, it’s a shrewd move by Harry Derham to run GAME WINNER (2.45) in the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle over three miles at Taunton.
This seven-year-old scored over timber at Kempton Park in February, and looks well-treated racing off a perch of 117.
Paul Nicholls has a tremendous record in the Grade One Challow Novive Hurdle run over three miles at
Newbury so CAPTAIN TEAGUE (3.00) can pirate away the winning bounty.
Third of 21 in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper in March, he scored at Chepstow on his first spin over obstacles, before finishing second under a 5lb penalty at Prestbury Park over two miles and five furlongs. This strong stayer will relish the step up in trip.
Gavin Sheehan will be on a high after Hewick’s victory in the King George on Boxing Day so row in with PASSING WELL (3.35) in the Coral Novice Handicap Chase over two miles and six furlongs at Newbury.
A game winner off a mark of 122 at Lingfield Park last time out in November, he has been given every hope of following up off a ledge of 125.