Newbury - Saturday 29th November

I will be at Newbury on Saturday for what looks set to be a cracking card headlined by the hottest renewal of the Coral Gold Cup for many a year. If this doesn't do it for you then nothing will!

I have a selection for each and every race on the big day. 

11:55, Play Coral 'Racing-Super-Series' Mares' Novices' Hurdle

La Conquiere 15/8, 2pts win

Kingston Queen coming out has robbed the race of a significant amount of quality and it could be that it is now ripe for the taking for Jamie Snowden's mare La Conquiere. The soft ground is a bit of an unknown for the 6 year old but she brings in decent bumper form when second at Aintree in April and produced a power packed finish to win on hurdling debut 29 days ago from a subsequent winner. She'll come on for that run I'm sure and this looks a good opportunity. 

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12:30, Coral Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase

Hunter Legend 9/2, 2pts win

Leader In The Park looked like a horse to follow last season when winning at Kempton on Boxing Day but rather lost his form in the Spring and may well need this run on seasonal debut. Scarface on the other hand should be fit after his run at Wincanton last time out and now returns to a more favourable trip. The suspicion is he's in the grip of the handicapper however. Booster Bob pulled off a remarkable win in the Greatwood Gold Cup on this track in March and should continue to progress over this longer trip. He's a threat but Venetia Williams' Hunter Legend was a real eye catcher last time out in the Paddy Power and looks set to come on appreciably for that effort. Proven on soft ground and at around this trip, the stable often comes into form around this time of year and now looks the time to strike. 

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13:05, Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Novices' Hurdle

Kocktail Bleu 11/2, 2pts win

Kalkbrenner looks set to go off favourite but he was rather workmanlike when winning at Ffos Las and the form of that race has yet to be tested. Buddy Holly is interesting now in training with Nicky Henderson but preference is for recent Fontwell winner Kocktail Bleu. A runner up to Idaho Sun at Windsor in January, the 5 year old put in a decent effort when winning on hurdling debut from the front. He's proven on soft ground and goes for a stable that couldn't be in much better nick. 

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13:40, 'Join Coral Bet 10 Get 50' Handicap Hurdle

French Ship 10/3, 3pts win

A real open affair for the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle on the card. Royal Rambler should improve for his seasonal debut at Cheltenham last time out and will enjoy this test more whilst stablemate Guard Duty would be of interest if bouncing back to form. The Emma Lavelle stable isn't in terribly good form at the moment however. Personal Ambition could still progress now back over hurdles and is respected as much as he will find this harder to dominate with plenty of forward running types in the line up. One of those is Lud'or who bolted up by half a furlong at Bangor last time out. He's proven on soft ground but was hammered by the handicapper and now runs in a much deeper race. It could be that recent Cheltenham winner French Ship could follow up in a race that could be run to suit. Conditions hold no fear for a horse from an in-form stable and he's still mightily unexposed. 

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14:15, Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle

Indeevar Bleu 4/1, 3pts win

A fair renewal of the Gerry Fielden sees a couple of 4 year olds top the weights on 12 stone. Both bring in the best form but that welter weight could be a bit of an anchor and they are up against other unexposed types. Indemnity is respected after finishing 2nd to Greatwood Hurdler winner Alexei at Ascot last time out but preference is for Olly Murphy's Indeevar Bleu. Very lightly raced for a 7 year old the son of Blue Bressil cantered home to win over hurdles for the first time at Lingfield this time last year on very bad ground. He bounced back from defeat at Haydock (albeit under a penalty) to run out a ready winner at Ffos Las in the Spring. Clearly fragile, but he has a great record when fresh and scampered clear like a well handicapped horse the last day. 

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14:55, Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Resplendent Grey 13/2, 2pts win

Lowry's Bar 28/1, 1pt each-way (6 places)

What a winter cracker! Myretown heads the market and for good reason. He was mightily impressive when tearing apart the field at the Cheltenham Festival and has been kept back for this ever since. He's been kicked up 15 pounds for that win but few would argue with that. He could still be ahead of the handicapper but he may find this harder to dominate. The Changing Man is an admirable performer and should run well again but is starting to look vulnerable for win purposes whilst the ground may have gone against Hyland. Panic Attack goes in search of a big double after taking the Paddy Power 2 weeks ago but she's never convinced over this far. Katate Dori will go on the ground and was progressive last year but needs to bounce back to form now and this is just about as hard a race to do it in as you will find. With so much pace on up front and on a galloping track it could be that everything is set up for Resplendent Grey to run a big race. The Bet365 Gold Cup winner finds himself much higher up the weights than when winning at Sandown but the suspicion is that he's an improving horse at the age of 7. He likes to come home with a late rattle and that could be telling here. At bigger odds Lowry's Bar goes for an in form stable and has been targeted at this race all summer. He finished 2nd to Jagwar this time last year (giving 7 pounds away) and duly built on that to win back to back races in the winter before slightly going off the boil in the end. He's been freshened up for this since and will enjoy this test. 

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15:35, Coral 'Pipped-At-The-Post' Payouts Handicap Chase

Etalon 8/1, 1.5pts win

A race with loads who will want to get on with it could play into the hands of Etalon who finished 2nd to Twinjets (winner here on Friday) at Fontwell on seasonal debut 34 days ago. Has won at Newbury before. 

Newbury - Friday 28th November

Newbury trixie

12:15 - Sinatra

12:45 - Mambonumberfive

13:15 - Highland Crystal

SP, 1pt win

A difficult days punting awaits at Newbury with not a lot of value on show but the first 3 favourites all look to have decent chances and it could pay to have them running for you. 

Market Rasen - Wednesday 26th November

14:55, Pertemps Network Handicap Chase

Hawkseye View 3/1, 2pts win

It's not the easiest punting day but Hawkseye View must hold a decent chance of finally shedding his maiden tag for his inform connections. This trip has always looked like it would suit and the 6 year old should come on for his seasonal debut at Huntingdon 15 days ago. This will be his second run after a wind-op and should be up to winning off this mark. 

Ascot & Haydock - Saturday 22nd November

I will be at Ascot on Saturday to see one of the best renewals of the 1965 Chase I can remember but it's a proper punting card and Haydock isn't too bad either with the first Grade 1 of the season, the Betfair Chase. 

Ascot

12:55, Get Your Ladbrokes Free Ascot Bet Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Good Look Charm 12/1, 1pt win

Anthony Honeyball's yard continue in good nick and he runs Good Look Charm here who has won first time out (in the months of November & December) for the past 2 seasons. The trip is an unknown but her win at Sandown last year hinted at reserves in stamina and she's still fairly treated. Looks the value. 

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13:30, Ladbrokes 1965 Chase

Il Est Francais 5/2, 2pts win

The Arkle winner Jango Baie could have this run to suit with genuine pace on up front. He's a strong finisher and this test looks ideal. However, the stable form is a bit of a worry and he wasn't the most fluent over his fences last season. Any chinks in the armour will be tested by Il Est Francais who is now under the care of Tom George in England. His runner-up effort in last year's King George is the standout piece of form and a repeat of that could well be good enough here. 

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14:05, Windsor Horse Rangers Berkshire National Handicap Chase

Regarde 5/1, 2pts each-way (4 places)
Credo 14/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

If Rock My Way returns to the form he showed at the Cheltenham Festival then he should be winning this but it was a very poor effort on seasonal debut and now has questions to answer. Regarde however, represents the Jamie Snowden yard which is going along well and is proven at the trip. He comes here off the back of a good run on seasonal debut last month and is still fairly unexposed. He's well weighted and should go close. Credo doesn't look the best handicapped but has unfinished business at this trip and will come on for her seasonal debut at Wincanton 2 weeks ago.

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Haydock

14:25, Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle

Navajo Indy 13/2, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

One of the hottest handicaps of the season so far with any number of improving hurdlers entering calculations. It may be that Tom Symonds' Navajo Indy will find enough improvement stepped up in trip again to come out on top. The 6 year old finished 3rd in last season's Betfair Hurdle which is good form and the way he finished that day suggested a step up in trip was in order. A cracking run at Cheltenham last month has brought on another step up and he still looks fairly treated. 

Ascot - Friday 21st November

14:35, Ascot Partners Handicap Hurdle

Trustintimes 20/1, 1pt win

Fortune De Mer justifiably heads the market here after claiming a Cheltenham grade 2 last time out. He seems to save his best for Cheltenham though and instead it could be worth taking a small punt on Harry Fry's Trustintimes. 2 from 2 so far in his hurdles career, the son of Time Test makes his handicap debut after a bit of a break but he showed a nice willing attitude in those victories and could run well at a big price. 

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15:10, Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing Handicap Chase

The Boola Boss 16/1, 1pt win

Awaythelad 14/1, 1pt win

The front end of the market here looks a bit wobbly so perhaps this could be race ripe for the upset. Ben Pauling's yard continues to go well and Awaythelad runs here bidding to bounce back to form. He can be forgiven pulling up last time as it was a very hard Cheltenham handicap and he's only 3 pounds higher than when winning over this trip at Southwell last season. The Boola Boss managed 2 victories last year and as such is now perhaps off a high mark for him. The 9 year old was progressive throughout most of the season though and usually comes on for his first run of the season. He has a run under his belt now and the booking of Briony Frost is eyecatching. 

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Ascot double

12:50 - Idaho Sun & 13:25 - Lucky Place

5/2, 2pts win

Idaho Sun is well thought of by the Harry Fry stable and after a fine hurdling debut at Fontwell from a decent opponent I'd be disappointed if he couldn't take the next step up the ladder here. Lucky Place goes novice chasing and should be plying his trade at the top table given his hurdles form. Both look to have decent chances. 

Warwick - Wednesday 19th November

13:25, pricedup.bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Onewaywest 7/2, 2pts win

It's not the easiest day to find a punting angle but Warwick is at least an interesting card with a few pointers to the future in store. Ben Pauling's yard have had a decent Autumn and he runs Onewaywest in the Conditional Jockey's Handicap Hurdle on the card. A mark of 112 doesn't look a gimme but the lightly raced 6 year old ran a career best to finish 2nd at Windsor on his seasonal debut last year and perhaps first time out is the time to catch him. A repeat of that run should see him go very close. 

Cheltenham - Saturday 15th November

I haven't missed many November meeting Saturday's over the past 10 years and will once again be at Prestbury Park tomorrow for what looks like a quality (if soggy) affair. 

12:35, JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle

Precious Man 7/2, 2pts win

This looks like a very good renewal of the Juvenile Hurdle that starts the day. Ex-Godolphin owned Secret Force looks likely to be popular after dotting up on hurdling debut but the combination of stiff track and soft ground could leave him vulnerable to a couple of French recruits. Parchment looks classy when winning at Clairfontaine on his only start and is respected but Precious Man could be the one to side with. The scopey son of Almanzor built on his debut promise to down the favourite at Auteuil last time out in a race that has thrown up a few subsequent winners. He ate up the ground late on that day and left the impression that a track like Cheltenham would really suit. The recent recruit to the Skelton yard will appreciate the give in the ground and can defy a penalty for his in-form stable. 

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13:10, Debenhams Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Imperial Alex 16/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

These are always difficult races and this looks like an amateur jockeys handicap chase that is no different. Herakles Westwood is an improving second season novice who could go well whilst Jubilee Express brings the best form to the table after finishing 2nd in last year's Welsh National. Aurea Fortuna could be absolutely chucked in and is feared although now well found in the market. Kelce ran a cracker here at the Open Meeting and looks sure to go well again. At the prices however, Imperial Alex makes appeal for the Tom Lacy yard. A 3 time winner on mostly soft ground during the spring of 2024, the now 8 year old lost his way a bit last year before bouncing back in no uncertain terms at Perth in May when battling on well to win off a 3 pound lower mark. His current figure isn't beyond him. 

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13:45, Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase

Be Aware 2/1, 2pts win

2 subsequent Champion Chase victors have won this in the past 15 years (Dodging Bullets and Put The Kettle On) whilst L'eau Du Sud claimed it last year before taking out the Henry VIII at Sandown 3 weeks later. Burdett Road is the best hurdler amongst these but has a lot to prove going chasing and the Irish mare July Flower was a commanding winner on her chase debut 27 days ago. She's respected but this is a much harder race and it could be that Be Aware emulates his stablemate and takes out this race for the second year in a row for the Skeltons. A classy hurdler, the 6 year old put in a professional performance to give weight away all round at Stratford on chase debut 16 days ago and his proven stamina will be a help here on a stiffer track on soft ground. He already looks a better chaser. 

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14:20, Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Vincenzo 10/1, 2pts win

Panic Attack 12/1, 2pts win

I put up both runners earlier in the week and it looks as though both will have decent chances. 

Cheltenham - Friday 14th November

13:10, Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

A Pai De Nom 9/2, 2pts win

This is a mightily competitive affair to open the November meeting but it could be that Dan Skelton's A Pai De Nom is a bit of a handicap blot off a mark of 116. The 5 year old got close to the classy Sober Glory on debut in a bumper at Chepstow before faltering at Sandown in March. It was heavy ground that day and could be forgiven that. He looked to improve for hurdling when winning at Newton Abbott in the autumn from a subsequent winner and although beaten on his last start, he was shouldering a penalty and the winner looks a fair prospect himself. The scopey son of Passing Glance looks like he improve for coming to a more open track and is mightily unexposed. 

Ante-Post: Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, Cheltenham - Sunday 16th November

Greatwood Hurdle

Helnwein 20/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)

The Greatwood is one of the biggest betting heats of the early season and it looks set to be a cracker this year with recent winners Celtic Dino and Alexei heading the market. Both are on career high marks now and have been making hay on decent ground at flat tracks. This will ask a different test for both and with plenty of pace potentially incoming for this race looking at the entries, it could pay to go with a strong stayer. Alan King's Helnwein likes to be held up and could have things run to suit. The 7 year old will be having his seasonal debut here but runs well fresh and this seems to have been the plan. A winner of a 20 runner handicap at Sandown in April of last year, he hasn't managed to win since but after chasing was aborted last winter he ended his season by finishing 2nd in the Swinton at Haydock. He surrendered first run to Our Champ that day but finished like a horse who'd appreciate a stiffer test, which Cheltenham will provide. He looks sure to run well at decent odds. 

Bangor-On-Dee - Wednesday 12th November

14:00, Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase

Doctor Ken 11/2, 1pt win

This is one of the better mid week meetings you will see with a Listed Mares' Chase and this quality long distance handicap chase with a decent amount of prize money behind it. Yala Enki defied a mark of 150 in 2018 whilst now runs off the same mark (142) as when he claimed this in 2022. He will have a chance of repeating that success for sure, but it's hard to argue he's the same horse 3 years on and 12 stone will be hard to defy here. The Doyen Chief must be of serious consideration in search of the hattrick but perhaps it is Olly Murphy's Doctor Ken who can take this on seasonal debut. This 9 year old has had his issues over the years and this will be just his 6th run over fences but he comes into this with a good record fresh. He's plied his trade mostly over shorter distances but won over about this trip at Taunton and is still looking fairly treated. 

Ante-Post: Paddy Power Gold Cup, Cheltenham - Saturday 15th November

Paddy Power Gold Cup

Vincenzo 10/1, 2pts win
Panic Attack 12/1, 2pts win

This is a handicap that tends to be won by a future graded horse or second season chaser so it's easy to see why Jagwar is popular in the betting given his upwardly mobile trajectory. He's already a Cheltenham Festival winner and only 6 years old although the handicapper is beginning to have his say. He isn't the only unexposed type in the race however. Sam Thomas is having a fine Autumn and he looks set to run Vincenzo here. The 7 year old is fairly unexposed still after just 4 chase starts and was last seen finishing 2nd in the Greatwood Gold Cup, just being denied by an inspired Sean Bowen on Booster Bob. He's a nimble jumper who's already had some experience of the Cheltenham fences and it's always good when a young novice manages to win round Sandown, which is a proper jumping test. He's in here off a mark of 137 which will see him carry a low weight (get's 11 pounds from Jagwar) and shouldn't care what the ground it like. Another who has only had the 4 chase starts is Dan Skelton's 9 year old mare Panic Attack. A listed winner over hurdles when with David Pipe she is 1 from 1 over fences for her current stable after hacking up at Windsor in January. She looked good that day and was being readied for the Festival in the Spring but didn't make it. She was quietly fancied for that but now arrives here off a mark of 135 this daughter of Canford Cliffs is still a relative unknown and must be feared for her shrewd connections. 

Ante-Post: Coral Gold Cup, Newbury - Saturday 29th November

Coral Gold Cup

Lowry's Bar 25/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Last year Kandoo Kid won the Coral Gold Cup (advised ante-post) but it strikes as potentially a more classy renewal 12 months on looking at the early entries. Myretown will have plenty of supporters on his first start since winning the Ultima in March. Resplendent Grey will also no doubt be popular on the back of his Carlisle win but both are already well found in the market. Both have huge chances whilst Blizzard Of Oz will be an interesting runner for Willie Mullins if coming over. Spanish Harlem is another from the stable to keep an eye on should he be on the boat. The Changing Man and Katate Dori have big race form to their names but the suspicion is that the handicapper has caught up. Johnnywho ran a nice race on seasonal debut at Aintree and would find this more to his liking should he line up. But perhaps at the prices it is Lowry's Bar who makes most appeal at this stage. The Philip Hobbs stable has been going well so far this Autumn and despite Lowry's Pass missing an engagement at Wincanton this weekend, I see no issue with the 7 year old being directed straight at Newbury's big prize. On chase debut last year he gave Jagwar a race when giving that classy horse half a stone before winning twice on the bounce at Exeter and Chepstow over about 2 and a half miles. He stepped up in trip thereafter but things didn't really go to plan. He didn't seem to enjoy Windsor when finishing 2nd to Jinko Blue before not giving his running at Kempton in February. He's been given plenty of time since then and should now be coming into his own as a 7 year old rising 8. He's always shaped like a long distance chaser who will enjoy Newbury's big open galloping track, much more than Windsor and Kempton. 

Newbury - Thursday 6th November

I will be at Newbury on Thursday for the Berkshire track's jump season opener. 

12:30, Cheltenham Festival Specials Live At BetVictor 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase

No Bet

Fergal O'Brien's Sixmilebridge will be short odds to get the job done on chasing debut considering he has just one opponent. A classy hurdler last year, the 6 year old has some pointing experience to call upon and could take high rank amongst the novice chasers this season for all he will find the ground lively enough. 

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13:05, OLBG Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Inside Man 5/1, 2pts win

Jane Williams' stable has had a fair Autumn and her 5 year old Inside Man arrives in better nick than some after winning at Newton Abbott 58 days ago. Top conditional Toby McCain-Mitchell takes the ride and this upwardly mobile young hurdler could well carry along his trajectory here. 

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13:40, Agetur UK 40th Anniversary In Business Maiden Hurdle

Captain Hugo 3/1, 2pts win

Olly Murphy's Willstar is very well bred and will be popular but Captain Hugo could take some beating here for an in-form yard. The 5 year old built on his debut promise to run out a ready winner at Worcester in May. The form is nothing special but he quickened clear in taking style once given the office late on and definitely shapes like one who'll improve for obstacles. 

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14:15, CSP Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Jackie Hobbs 10/3, 1.5pts win

This is a fair mare's novices' hurdle and Nicky Henderson's Khrisma could be hard to beat if re-producing her Punchestown form. She's not straight forward though and it could be that Jackie Hobbs puts her poor run at Aintree behind her on hurdling debut. Harry Derham's mare looked a very smart prospect when winning at Ascot in February. She can be forgiven the run last time out and will no doubt improve for hurdling given her stature. The stable knows how to ready one. 

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14:50, Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Tranquil Sea 9/2, 2pts win

There's a few in this that look to be having a prep run for other targets and although East India Dock is improving and Act Of Authority brings in decent Cheltenham Festival form, it could be that they struggle to give lumps of weight to Tranquil Sea. The Skelton's 5 year old runs off a mark of 123 and is taking on classier horses than he beat at Chepstow last time out but he won that with a bit in hand despite hitting the front a long way out. The better class of opponent here will drag him further into the race and if connections harbour any hope of getting into the final then he must go close. 

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15:25, Daily Racing Boosts At BetVictor Handicap Chase

Leader In The Park EVS, 2pts win

Ben Pauling's horses are running well this Autumn and he looks to have found a nice starting point for his second season chaser Leader In The Park. Twice a winner last season, he went off the boil a bit by the Spring but runs well on a decent surface and has looked as though he's better than a mark of 128. This is very winnable. 

Melbourne Cup - Tuesday 4th November

Flemington

04:00, Melbourne Cup

Al Riffa 6/1, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

The Irish St Leger winner must defy top weight and a wide draw at Flemington but the recent rain won't be an issue to him and brings by far the best form into the race. Carries top weight but it is only 9 stone 4 pounds and has a huge class edge over his rivals.