Newbury selections Saturday 29th November
Another terrific card for Newbury’s feature day of the year over jumps and the Coral Gold Cup has a really good look to it with plenty of classy horses and a full field of 24 for the first time in years. I have two suggestions for the big race and selections for three other contests on the card. JJ Moon was placed for the each-way bet yesterday (advised 13/2)
Newbury 1.40: Royal Rambler & Dominic’s Fault
With overnight rain on top of ground used for yesterday’s meeting, the hurdles track might be a bit of a slog this afternoon. As such two horses who might benefit from a low weight are preferred.
ROYAL RAMBLER is still a raw horse with plenty of potential, having never raced in bumpers/points, but the ability is there and I think he will come on a lot for his comeback run at Cheltenham two weeks ago, where he raced slightly too freely for his own good. He was ultimately beaten around 15l into fifth that day, but a stronger finishing effort can be expected here now he has that run behind him.
A winner of his maiden on soft ground at Chepstow last winter, he was beaten on his last start of the last campaign at Uttoxeter, but plugged on really well and the winner that day The Jukebox Kid has firmly franked the form since. This chasing type can only improve for experience and will enjoy this stamina test on softening ground today.
DOMINICS FAULT is very lightly raced for an 8yo and connections have had to be very patient with him. He remains at the right end of the handicap and hopefully he is forward enough to take advantage of a very favourable rating of 119 here.
It was only inexperience that got him beaten on his first run of the last campaign at Carlisle having travelled superbly throughout, and he almost got back up after bungling the final flight. He made no mistake next time at Lingfield and was cruising into contention when getting brought down at Sandown on his last start in January. There is surely more to come from this gelding, and his record fresh gives plenty of hope he will be ready enough for today.
Newbury 2.15: Indeevar Bleu
I am sticking with the Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen combination for the Gerry Fielden where INDEEVAR BLEU is another who can benefit from connections’ patience.
Two years older than any rival in the race, he nevertheless remains totally unexposed with only four career starts to date over hurdles. He won with ease at Leicester on heavy ground last season over this 2m trip, before finding Haydock’s sharp track too much of a speed test next time.
He showed the benefit of a winter wind op when winning his only subsequent start at Ffos Las with real ease in April, cruising to the front two out and only having to be pushed out lightly despite still showing signs of greenness. He was only put up 6lbs for that and as he seems to be adaptable tactically and to ground conditions, he looks a strong prospect here.
Newbury 2.55: Myretown & The Doyen Chief
A terrific line up, but in a race where most of the Irish challengers seem quite harshly treated at the weights it is two British challengers fancied most.
MYRETOWN appeals as the front-running, quick jumping sort who will love this sort of test. He was a massively impressive 11l winner of the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival the last time we saw him, quickly taking command at the head of the race and barely seeing another rival.
He was going as well in the final furlong of the 3m1f contest as he was the first, so stamina is no issue as long as the fitness is there and he has had racecourse gallops in order to get him ready. He remains unexposed despite the inevitable 13lb rise and is very versatile as regards ground conditions.
THE DOYEN CHIEF warmed up for this with a recent run at Bangor and but for a final fence mistake might have come into this off the back of a win. The fact he was headed close home means he avoids a penalty here and he is building up a strong base of form over fences that suggests he should be up to this level now.
He does little in front so the handicapper could not do too much with him when he won back to back races at Kempton and Warwick in March. Tom Bellamy won’t want to hit the front too soon, but I suspect a big field handicap will suit him ideally.
Newbury 3.35: Javert Allen
A confirmed pacesetter, I am confident that JAVERT ALLEN will have come on plenty for his comeback run at Aintree earlier this month and could well make all here.
Those tactics were employed that day as well, but he looked a little short on race fitness as he tired from three out. He ought to be able to last home better today and can confirm the promise he showed when making most to win over this course and distance last December. He is only 6lbs higher today and his bold jumping style could plenty of his rivals under pressure from some way out.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Royal Rambler – 1.40 Newbury – 14/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
0.5pts each-way – Dominics Fault – 1.40 Newbury – 10/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Indeevar Bleu – 2.15 Newbury – 4/1 Unibet, Paddy Power
1pt each-way – Myretown – 2.55 Newbury – 5/1 Unibet (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – The Doyen Chief – 2.55 Newbury – 14/1 William Hill (¼ odds 1st 5)
1pt win – Javert Allen – 3.35 Newbury – 7/2 general
