There isn’t a great deal to consider for this weekend at this Ante-Post stage folks. In fact, apart from the feature Handicap on the William Hill sponsored card at Newbury, I don’t think I will look into any details with any other race. Uttoxeter and Warwick don’t really offer anything at the moment, so along with the Irish card at Naas, I will leave my thoughts on those until Saturday.
Only 6 have been entered in the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2:10) at Newbury, and realistically, only Haiti Couleurs, Jango Baie and L’Homme Presse have realistic claims. With 9 entered, the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase (2:45) does seem a little more open, however, novices Lulamba, Meetmebythesea and Steel Ally also have entries in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novice Chase at Warwick (only 6 entered). Last year’s winner Master Chewy will have to carry a penalty, so he might take up his other engagement in the Denman Chase. The numbers will reduce on Thursday, I would expect Calico, Liberty Hunter (2nd last year) and Saint Segal to all feature, but a novice might join them as well.
Newbury’s feature is a £155,000 Class 1 H’cap Hurdle (2m) at 3:20, formerly known as the Schweppes, Tote Gold Trophy and Betfair hurdle. This race has attracted 19 runners at the 5 day stage (max 24). Most will line up on Saturday, as apart from Poet Laureate (3:35 Warwick), none are currently entered anywhere else.
Dan Skelton’s 7yo Let It Rain is the current 11/4 favourite, amiserly price. This lightly raced mare shaped very well when 3rd behind Dance And Glance (1st) and All In You (5/1) at Ascot in mid November, with The Hardest Geezer back in 4th. As they were both coming back from an absence, I would expect Let It Rain and All In You to improve and be strong contenders come Saturday. But neither really appeal as an Ante-Post betting option, they will be similar or even bigger on the day.
Un Sens A La Vie (6/1) has looked a nice prospect winning 2 from 4 in novice hurdles, he’ll be thrown in the deep end but his opening handicap mark 130 looks reasonable, but really speaking it’s hard to say. It will be tougher for Tutti Quanti to make every yard again (as he did here last time) under 12st but it’s not impossible, at 8/1 though he makes limited appeal. Hot Fuss (12/1) seems to be improving, he along with Helnwein (20/1), Serious Challenge (20/1, if he brings his a-game) and Lanesborough (12/1) all have e/w claims.
If the heavens open and the ground gets quite deep, it may help the likes of Go Dante (3rd last year, 5lb higher now), Milldam, Bubble Dubi and Faivoir who are all outsiders (33/1). Faivoir was a fair 5th on heavy ground last year, 7lb lower this time, despite his age (11), if the ground suits, he could outrun his odds. On his best form Wreckless Eric (25/1) looks a little overpriced and despite finishing 7th (of 13, 2m) and 9th (of 15, 2m5f), he has shaped well in both outings this term, but he can hit the odd hurdle, he would need a decent gallop ideally (usually get that in this, but not guaranteed), he has won on a good and soft surface, but he’s yet to encounter heavy ground.
This ante post preview was written by Philip ‘Snowy’ Griffiths, our resident national hunt expert. The aim of these ante post columns is to educate readers on the most and least likely runners for the races in focus and to highlight any potential early value. This is not a tipping column and doesn’t necessarily reflect where the author’s official wagers are going.
