A wonderful pre-Xmas treat at Newbury this afternoon with a cracking jumps card including a fascinating Novices' Handicap Chase over three miles. Oscar Fortune has been raised 2lbs since finishing runner up at Wetherby last time and this winning point-to-pointer must go close for Jonjo O'Neill.
Chase The Spud has been raised 8lbs for winning at Exeter but this looks a better race and my two against the field are Kaki De La Pree and Astigos (12.40) with marginal preference for the latter who ran against Minella On Line at Ascot last time. The latter and the winner Big Hands Harry continually jumped out to their left at the Berkshire track but they continually carried Astigos out at his fences and he ran an excellent race in the circumstances. The 12/1 on offer at BetVictor looks a fair price and he can reward each way support.
Communicator finished runner up in this corresponding race last year for Andrew Balding on his sole start over jumps but has joined the stable of Jonjo O'Neill as he bids to go one better than 2013 when behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Josses Hill. He might need further in time, however, and preference is for Beast Of Burden (1.10) from the yard of Rebecca Curtis.
The selection won his sole Bumper at Ffos Las at the end of October and Davy Russell come over from Ireland for the mount. He comes into the race in the category of “could be anything” and his hurdling debut is eagerly anticipated.
There is an intriguing four-runner Graduation Chase with Easter Day (2.15) getting the vote stepping up to 3m for the first time for Paul Nicholls. This valuable race has been won by some good sorts in recent years and Easter Day beat the subsequent RSA winner O'Faolains Boy at Ascot on this weekend 12 months ago.
Winston Churchill (1.40) is likely to make it a true test dropping back in trip having jumped soundly when making all at Ffos Las last time. The selection is reported to have always shown plenty at home and a 4lb rise might not be enough to prevent him following up; note the stable had a welcome winner at Ffos Las on Monday.
At Ludlow It's A Steal (12.50) cannot be opposed under a 7lbs penalty having jumped magnificently when winning at Warwick last week. He will certainly be reassessed in the 120s when the handicapper has his say and he looks well treated as long as he is over those exertions.
I am interested to see Gardefort (1.20) dropped to the minimum trip for his reappearance for Venetia Williams and Liam Treadwell; the selection took time to acclimatise last season since coming over from France and is 8lbs lower than when well backed for her British debut at Haydock back in February.
Opening Batsman (2.25) made a very pleasing seasonal debut at Wincanton in the Badger Beer and the handicapper has given him a chance by dropping him a further 3lbs. He looked all over the winner at the top of the home run over an additional bear quarter mile last time and this trip looks ideal.
Tara Mist (3.00) won a Bumper here last December and will be hard to beat on her first start over timber for the yard of Henry Daly. The mare finished third in the Aintree Bumper on her last start and as a sister to Mickie should be well served by today's 2m 5f trip.
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