Hill can show credentials

CONSTITUTION Hill can lay down a marker for the season and begin his journey towards the Champion Hurdle in March when he runs in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle today.

Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old was the standout novice hurdler of last season and highlighted himself as a superstar of the sport when brushing aside stablemate Jonbon with a 22-length success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

It is seriously difficult to knock his form to date and the vibes from Seven Barrows are that he is in rude health and lighting up the schooling grounds ahead of his reappearance.

Expect this son of Blue Bresil to make a statement when he takes on two-time race winner and stablemate Epatante in the North East.

Northern yards have had a stranglehold on the Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Chase in recent years and Borders handler Sandy

Thomson could win the race for the second time in three years with Dingo Dollar.

He is only 1lb higher than when third in this race behind Aye Right last year, but he arrives in top form having bolted up at Aintree.

Poetic Music looks the pick in the Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, the opening event on a stellar afternoon of action at Newbury. Sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, the form of that race – won by Facile Vege – has an exceptional look to it.

In the feature Coral Gold Cup, Remastered is backed to gain redemption for his fall in the race 12 months ago. The David Pipe-trained nine-year-old was travelling like the winner when taking a crashing fall four from home in 2021.

The best bet of the day at Newbury could come in the Coral Bet Bundles Intermediate Handicap Hurdle with the Henderson-trained First Street.