The Challow Novices Hurdle looks like one of the most interesting British races of the Christmas period, and the supporting card at Newbury is nice as well.
Although Boxing Day went well, yesterday was a bit of a lull, so hopefully today’s form can continue.
Let’s dive in.
12:05 Newbury – Sunset Marquesa @ 5/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
I’d be surprised if Sunset Maquesa isn’t better than her current mark of 114, so I’m happy to back her on handicap debut.
Her bumper form with Diva Luna (Grade 2 winner), Listentoyourheart (Listed winner), Baby Kate (winner of hot Naas maiden hurdle), and Rula Bula (9.5 lengths maiden hurdle winner) is nice for a horse rated in the mid-110s.
Joe Tizzard highlighted her as a horse to follow at the start of this season, so it was disappointing to see her beaten comfortably at Uttoxeter at the start of November.
She put that behind her to win at Wincanton by 11 lengths in an easy race, but still, it was nice to see.
The ground will work for her and I’m happy to keep her on side today.
1:12 Newbury – Ballybreeze @ 7/1 with Bet365 – 2pt Win
It’s been a while, but Ballybreeze is back on my betting list after a decent amount of time away from the game.
I backed him at Cheltenham in November 2023 and my pain was short-lived as Robbie Dunne was sent out of the side door at the first fence. Ouch.
He ran off 120 that day and I was very keen on him, so today’s mark of 114 naturally makes him a bit more interesting.
He had a year off the track after that Cheltenham appearance before he ran over hurdles at Leicester last month.
Hopefully, that was a prep run to get some fitness and confidence on his side for today, and this 0-125 contest is a much easier task than that 0-150 Cheltenham handicap he contested last year.
Considering he bolted up of 110 on chase debut at Chepstow in October 2022, I think he’s well-handicapped with a four-pound higher mark and any ground should suffice.
1:45 Newbury – Go To War @ 3/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
All of last season, Fergal O’Brien kept talking up Go To War as a nice horse, and his final two wins of the campaign backed up his thinking.
He won at Ludlow in December and then defied a three-month lay-off to beat Court In The Act at the same track in March.
The runner-up from that race looked really smart when bolting up at Market Rasen this season, so the form has been franked, and the pair pulled miles clear of the third despite their respective 7lb penalties.
Although he was half-expected to win at Taunton on his second start of last season and he failed to do so, the second, Matterhorn, improved 17lbs over fences by winning four races subsequently, and even the winner from that race (Ballee) is rated 135 now.
Since switching to Nicky Henderson, he’s had a pipe-opener earlier this month and is now stepping up in trip.
He’s thoroughly unexposed and has some nice form in the book, so I’ll chance him here.
2:00 Leopardstown – Hewick @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
It’s an interesting call from connections to send Hewick to this race, but I think they’ve made a pretty solid call.
That King George was a hot race, and although he would have had his chance, the Savills Hurdle looks a bit easier for him to contest.
Based on yesterday’s times, the Leopardstown ground is riding on the good side, and we know that Hewick is a fan of this surface.
He also has decent hurdles form having finished second in the French Champion Hurdle to Lossange Bleu in May, so this step back over the smaller obstacles is fine.
As for his other form, finishing second to Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase is good and his third in the Punchestown Gold Cup to Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs is also nice form.
With a few potentially needing the run, I’m happy to chance Hewick at the prices.
3:35 Newbury – Moon d’Orange @ 12/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW
Having backed him at Cheltenham earlier this month, the return to 2m6f should suit Moon d’Orange.
He ran a really good race at Presbury Park two weeks ago as he jumped nicely from the front and travelled powerfully, however, the extended 3m1f was a touch too far.
If he matches that performance at Newbury today, he should go quite close, and Freddie Gordon is booked in the saddle to claim 5lbs.
With that claim and his rating of 128, he gets a nice 9lbs from Shanagh Bob, a horse who beat him by just four lengths on soft ground at Cheltenham last December.
That seems like a fair swing and John McConnel’s six-year-old is in good form.
