More top-class racing over the festive period with another huge day of National Hunt action on Saturday 29th December.
The ITV cameras head to Newbury to take in four races that includes the Grade One Challow Hurdle – did you know 8 of the last 12 winners were aged 4 or 5 years-old?
So, as always, we’ve got it all covered here at RACING AHEAD with all the key trends, plus our verdict, on each of the LIVE ITV races – we’re confident these trends will point you in the direction of a few winners, or at least help narrow down some of the field to highlight the horses that fit the best profile of past winners – So, let’s get going!
Newbury Horse Racing Trends (RacingTV/ITV)
1.50 – Betway Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+) 2m4½f ITV4
7/7 – French (2) or Irish (5) bred
6/7 – Favourites placed
6/7 – Had raced in the last 4 weeks
6/7 – Had won 2 or more times before (hurdles)
5/7 – Had won over the trip (2m4f) before
5/7 – Aged 5 years-old
5/7 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
4/7 – Had raced at the track before
2/7 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
2/7 – Ran at Newbury last time out
2/7 – Winning favourites
Brave Eagle (13/2) won the race in 2018
BEST BET: COLONIAL DREAMS
Danger: SEVARANO
2.25 – Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-135) 3m2f ITV4
8/8 – Had raced in the last 8 weeks
8/8 – Had won over 3m+ (fences) before
7/8 – Returned 6/1 or shorter in the betting
7/8 – Carried 11-2 or more in weight
6/8 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
6/8 – Aged between 6-9 years-old
6/8 – Had won between 1-2 times before (fences)
6/8 – Unplaced favourites
5/8 – Irish bred
4/8 – Had raced at the track before
2/8 – Winning favourites
2/8 – Ran at Fontwell last time out
2/8 – Trained by Charlie Longsdon
Carole’s Destrier (12/1) won the race in 2018
BEST BET: COBOLOBO
Danger: COPPERHEAD
3.00 – Betway Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m4½f ITV4
13/13 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
13/13 – Had raced in the last 8 weeks
13/13 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
13/13 – Had won no more than 3 times over hurdles before
12/13 – Had raced in the last 6 weeks
10/13 – Favourites that finished in the top 3
10/13 – Went onto run at the Cheltenham Festival (1 winner, Wichita Lineman, 2006)
9/13 – Won between 2-3 times over hurdles before
9/13 – Had won over 2m4f or further (hurdles) before
9/13 – Won last time out
8/13 – Had won a Grade 2 Hurdle race before
7/13 – Irish bred
6/13 – Aged 5 years-old
6/13 – Winning favourites
3/13 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill
2/13 – Trained by Nick Williams
2/13 – Ridden by Daryl Jacob
BEST BET: THYME HILL
DANGER: THE CASHEL MAN
3.35 – Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+) 2m6½f ITV4
11/11 – Won between 0-1 times over fences
10/11 – Raced in the last 6 weeks
10/11 – Didn’t win last time out
9/11 – Carried 10-10 or more in weight
9/11 – Aged 5 or 6 years-old
8/11 – Favourites that finished in the top 4
7/11 – Irish bred
4/11 – Winning favourites
2/11 – Trained by Venetia Williams
BEST BET: TIDAL FLOW
DANGER: MORNING VICAR
