Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GOOD EVANS
Bright spark Current is in the mood to light up Racing Club Hurdle for in-form trainer Williams
GET in the Mood for Newbury’s big jumps meeting.
Welsh trainer Evan Williams looks to have lined up CURRENT MOOD (1.55) for the Coral Racing Club Hurdle.
She ran a race full of promise on her return to action when third behind rapidly-improving The Changing Man at Ffos Las.
That should have put her spot on for today’s race and her form from last season gives her an excellent chance.
After winning a Ludlow novices’ hurdle, she ran well behind the likes of top Irish prospect Blazing Khal and Grade 1-placed Haute Estime. She is well weighted on those efforts, so have 2pts each-way at 9-1.
Most bookies are paying out on four places with Sky Bet stretching to five.
The Coral Gold Cup is the day’s big race and I want to split stakes on two of the runners.
The ground is likely to be pretty good and that will suit Irish raider BUSSELTON (3.05).
He took well to fences last season, winning three times up to 2m6f.
Despite not being bred for stamina he has always looked likely to appreciate longer distances and he showed that view was spot on when making most of the running to land the Kerry National on his first try at 3m.
His jumping was exceptional and the blinkers he wore for the first time over fences seemed to help channel his concentration. Have 1pt to win at 9-1.
The other runner I want on my side in this famous old race is OSCAR ELITE (3.05).
Joe Tizzard’s hope is yet to win over fences but he ran some cracking races last season.
His third behind Corach Rambler and Gericault Roque in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival was an excellent effort, especially as he raced wider than ideal for much of the race.
His style of racing might be better suited to this race, so he has every chance of reversing the form with the pair that finished ahead of him in March. Have 1pt win at 9-1.
It’s also Newcastle’s big day with Constitution Hill making his return to action in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Next on the card, HAPPYGOLUCKY (3.25) could spoil the comeback of another British jumping star in the Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Chase.
He takes on Gold Cup hope L’homme Presse having missed the whole of last season but that doesn’t worry me as Kim Bailey has his team in great form.
The Cotswolds trainer has had 13 winners since the start of October and seven of them came first time out.
Happygolucky (above) seems best when returning from a break and he bolted up at Aintree’s Grand National meeting when last seen.
Have 2pts to win at 7-1.