Newbury and Ffos Las host Nationwide Hunt racing on Friday, earlier than Southwell takes over with motion on the extent.
2.30 Newbury – Genois, Havaila and Go away Of Absence contest function
The function Focus Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase seems a tough puzzle to resolve with Genois topping a discipline of 9 within the JP McManus silks. Regardless of being pulled up after a nasty mistake at Newcastle in February, this horse clearly has potential and can take all of the beating with Richie McLernon booked.
Gary and Josh Moore saddle Havaila who arrives having comfortably claimed a Plumpton handicap final week and will need to have sturdy claims below this 7lb penalty. His connections retain the hood that labored so effectively final time in Sussex.
Go away Of Absence returned from a brief break to complete runner-up within the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot final month and may discover this simpler, whereas Artwork Of Diplomacy ran his finest race thus far over fences at Wetherby and can’t be dominated out below Sean Bowen.
3.40 Ffos Las – Lilting Verse and Livin On Luco contest marathon
A terrific renewal of the Amroth Bay Caravan Park ‘West Wales Nationwide’ Handicap Chase at Ffos Las sees eight head to publish over three miles.
Livin On Luco made a formidable chasing debut when scoring at Newton Abbot in October however has did not again that up the final twice and has a bit to show as he returns from a brief absence. If trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have managed to repair bleeding points that scuppered him at Exeter, Sean Houlihan’s mount may go shut.
Lilting Verse stayed on effectively behind the straightforward winner when second at Southwell and can look to construct on that effort off this 1lb increased mark for Fergal O’Brien.
Prime Of The Invoice deserves respect as he drops again at school having been pulled up behind Mr Vango within the London Nationwide again in December.
7.00 Southwell – In-form Authorized Reform faces Dutch Kingdom
Ivan Furtado’s Authorized Reform made it three wins from his final 4 begins over this course and distance when seeing off Zip right here final week and this in-form eight-year-old is fancied to go shut once more regardless of the rise at school.
Topweight Dutch Kingdom was final seen ending a slender second over six furlongs right here in November and this constant five-year previous have to be feared if match sufficient on this return below Liam Wright.
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Aquacell landed a course-and-distance occasion on his penultimate begin and charges the very best of the remainder.
Better of the remainder
The 1.55pm Watch Weekend Winner Powered By BetVictor Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury sees David Maxwell’s Queensbury Boy tackle Captain Bellamy in what seems a extremely eyecatching opener in Berkshire. Maxwell’s mount, who’s skilled by Harry Derham, justified odds-on favouritism with aplomb at Doncaster lately and will probably be effectively positioned to observe up right here. Captain Bellamy was disqualified as a consequence of Lorcan Williams utilizing the whip 4 instances above the permitted stage the final day however has nonetheless proven promise in his early profession as a novice. Preserve a watch out for Ski Lodge too, who runs for Alan King.
Aucunrisque seems the important thing participant within the 3pm Get Greatest Odds Assured At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle, regardless of faltering in latest top-level handicaps for coach Chris Gordon. A winner of the Betfair Hurdle at this venue in 2023, this horse can clearly function at this observe and will probably be fancied to get again to profitable methods below Freddie Gordon.
After discovering life considerably tough over fences, Paul Nicholls’ Welcom To Cartries reverts to the smaller obstacles on this Final Journey Firm Handicap Hurdle at 3.30pm. Paired as soon as once more with Harry Cobden, this lad will probably be a power to reckoned with if he can produce a efficiency just like the one which noticed him end second within the 2024 River Don Novices’ Hurdle.
The Berkshire card closes with the Final Journey Firm Open Hunters’ Chase, which sees Enrilo tackle Itchy Ft. The previous horse, skilled by Paul Nicholls, will probably be partnered together with his daughter Olive – who takes off 3lbs.
