It’s a competitive novices handicap chase but I think DATSALRIGHTGINO is an underrated contender after two positive chase starts to date. He clearly appreciated the more galloping nature of Chepstow last time out as he built on a promising debut at Newton Abbot. Newbury is a similar track and his accurate jumping could really get these on the run today.
There was much more to like about ASK A HONEY BEE last time out and it looks like he could be a rejuvenated horse back over hurdles. The winner that day was very well in but the selection caught the eye travelling smoothly throughout the race before just tiring up the run in. I expect him to build on that today and go close in what is a flakey race.
Newbury 12.45 – Datsalrightgino
Newbury 3.40 – Ask A Honey Bee
Saturday
I’m hoping the market is drawn to the unexposed Walking On Air tomorrow at Newbury as I quite fancy the equally unexposed WEST BALBOA off a mark of 127. Second in last years Challow Hurdle she is hopefully a little bit better than a handicapper and I can’t quite work out how the handicapper has assessed her at 127 given what the winner of the Challow is rated but there we are. I’m sure Dan Skelton will have her fit and I expect a big showing on seasonal reappearance.
I respect a few of these in the Coral Gold Cup and found it a challenge to whittle them down but I have landed on THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE on the basis of the forecast good ground. Last year he impressed me with his dead eye jumping but his season finished in disappointment after soft ground blew his chance at Cheltenham. I think the surface is key to him and if he can get into a rhythm early on I think he will be a hard horse to peg back late on.
Newbury 1.55 – West Balboa
Newbury 3.05 – Threeunderthrufive
