Resident tipster Man On The Spot looks ahead to Friday's action at Newbury with a preview and tip for every race.
12.15 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
My Drogo made a pleasing start to his race career in a Cheltenham bumper last month but FLINTEUR SACRE is fancied to give Nicky Henderson a second successive victory in this normally-informative maiden. Sprinter Sacre’s full brother could be anything and certainly impressed in a bumper at Kempton in February having run green when second here on an earlier debut. The trip may be too short for winning pointer Sir Sholokhov, who may also have preferred more testing conditions but Kanukankan was in the process of running a decent race at Exeter until unseating two out.
12.45 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Eritage was a lucky winner at Ludlow and is 3lb higher but Anemoi has returned from a lengthy break in fine form and he made a winning start over fences at Chepstow, though Financier is a pound better off for a short-head defeat. Zoffee made all at Exeter after a second to a subsequent winner at Warwick and is still potentially well treated but we’ll take the view that the mare ELUSIVE BELLE will have needed the experience in a Listed race at Bangor. She still jumped well and will have no problem with today’s quicker conditions – she finished third behind Epatante over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago. Editeur Du Gite needs it softer while Scardura’s completion rate is off-putting.
1.15 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Bothwell Bridge never gave supporters a moment’s worry when landing the odds at Warwick and looks one to follow. But he might find BRAVEMANSGAME a tough nut crack on this occasion. The latter was also odds-on last time at Exeter and eased home with the minimum of fuss. As a former winning pointer, he should be even more effective over this longer trip. Flat winner Diocletian could also benefit from this step up in distance after his fourth at Taunton but a step up to 3m is probably already on the cards for Es Perfecto and Aintree scorer Real Stone may struggle in this better race.
1.50 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Having already won twice over fences, Getaway Trump is certainly no slouch. However, he has finished last in small fields in two other occasions and probably doesn’t have the scope of his two rivals. FIDDLERONTHEROOF had a similar rating over hurdles and was all out to get off the mark over fences at Exeter but is still preferred to the Nicholls’ runner and Caribean Boy, who won a competitive handicap at Haydock at the start of the year but has no form on this much quicker surface.
2.25 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Oldgrangewood bids to win this for a third time in four years and has an obvious chance of the hat-trick having made a pleasing reappearance in a Grade 2 at Aintree. He does, however, have more than five lengths to find with Clondaw Castle and is only 2lb better off. Sully D'oc Aa was winning for the first time in this country at Ascot but can’t be ignored given he’s only a six-year-old. Fidux had SAN BENEDETO behind when second at Market Rasen in July and wasn’t winning out of turn at that track last month. But Paul Nicholls’ charge looks the pick of the weights today and is a massive 16lb better off with Oldgrangewood than when fourth in this 12 months ago. Defi Sacre won twice here at the end of last year but this is a step up in grade and Cepage is among several making a seasonal reappearance.
3.00 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Paisley Park’s winning run came to an end behind Lisnagar Oscar in the Stayers’ Hurdle in March but he won this last year on his reappearance, though had to be ridden out to get the better of Thistlecrack. Summerville Boy also carries a Grade 2 penalty having won the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham at the start of the year but he proved his well-being at Aintree and shouldn’t be far away again. McFabulous is potentially a fly in the ointment having a first try over 3m while Thyme Hill won the Challow Hurdle here last season before finishing fourth in the Albert Bartlett. Shocks are not uncommon in this and HONEST VIC could be worth a speculative wager. He’s done nothing but improve over the last 18 months and was hugely impressive in a Cheltenham handicap on his return to action when producing another career-best. He’ll be a working man’s price and may have some scope at this level.
3.35 - Click here for FREE video form and racecard
Neville's Cross failed to cope with a further 12lb rise in the weights when on a hat-trick at Cheltenham but still finished ahead of Ballon Onabudget. Dell' Arca is enjoying an Indian summer and is still well treated on his best form despite back-to-back victories. Stamina shouldn’t be an issue for Coeur de Lion given he’s won a Chester Cup and an Ascot Stakes on the Flat and The Cashel Man and Neverbeen To Paris have place claims along with Ocean Cove. HILL SIXTEEN (NAP) won a handicap chase at Ffos Las by a distance having a first run for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He can race off a 3lb lower mark back over hurdles and should take advantage.