Newbury - Friday 28th February

 I will be at Newbury tomorrow to see a pretty modest afternoon's racing in terms of runners but a couple of classy individuals take to the track. I don't have a standout pick but I'll run down through the races. 

14:13 - King Of The Lake (7/4) duly hacked up at Wincanton on similar ground 13 days ago. He had decent form in 2023 and early 2024 before really going off the boil throughout the autumn. He tumbled down the weights as a result and is still on a workable mark now. He's reunited with the same jockey here and should follow up for the in form Jeremy Scott yard. 

14:48 - It's pretty hard to find a reason to take on Give It To Me Oj (4/6). He's got a real head start on his rivals here in terms of ratings and connections have found a very winnable race in which to get off the mark in. 

15:23 - Ben Case's Bashers Reflection (7/4) ran an almighty race last time out when second to a runaway Skelton horse at Wetherby last time out. He seems to enjoy this sort of ground and is finally getting his jumping together over fences. He's off the same mark here and this isn't as tough as last time. 

15:58 - A winner of a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, Horaces Pearl (2/1) remains unbeaten but has had a troubled hurdling campaign as he has only been sighted the once. He has loads of potential and although Piettot Jaguen sets the standard on hurdling form, I think Fergal O'Brien's 7 year old can extend the unbeaten run to 5. 

16:33 - Famous Five arrives here just a couple of pounds above his winning mark over track and distance in December. However, his jumping that day was poor and the form of the race hasn't worked out well. Mount Tempest will be ridden by a fair 7 pound claimer and that could bring him into the race but Duhallow Tommy (11/4) has been running in much tougher races than this all season and is still fairly handicapped. He should find this easier to dominate and has run well at the track before. He's due a win and I think he'll open his account for the season here. 

17:05 - I was at Cheltenham for Trial's Day and remember being taken with Gamesters Guy (7/2) in the parade ring ahead of his attempt at a Grade 2. He found that pace just too demanding before sticking to his guns late on to be beaten about 13 lengths. He's up in trip here and on a softer surface which I think he'll appreciate. I think he'll prove to be a decent horse in time. He's giving plenty of weight away but he's conceding it to pretty exposed horses.