Newbury Saturday

1.54 Coral “Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap Hurdle”

2m 4f 118y

Inthewaterside won’t mind the likely tacky ground, but is going to face some competition for the lead here and, with at least three others that habitually go forward, the race is likely to set up nicely for one coming from off the gallop.

There are two that fit the bill. Lac Du Constance travelled like a good horse on his reappearance at Uttoxeter and was still in with a half a chance when coming down at the last. He does need to tidy up his jumping, as that wasn’t his first mistake, but there’s an engine there and he’ll strip fitter for the run.

Tom Symonds continues in decent form, so it’s not hard to give Issam a chance. He really wants it soft, with all three of his wins for the yard coming on ground described as soft or heavy by Timeform, and while Newbury can dry back quickly, a going stick reading of 3.8 on the hurdles track suggests it will be testing.

There was plenty to like about Issam’s Welsh Champion Hurdle fourth at Ffos Las on his reappearance, especially as the two-mile trip is a minimum for him. That form is already working out with runner-up Steel Ally winning a competitive handicap at Haydock last weekend, and Issam looks sure to be thereabouts at the finish with the race likely to be run to suit.

2.25 Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle 2m 69y

Of those at the front of the market, Jeriko Du Reponet needs treating with caution after his bizarre chase debut, while Queen’s Gamble remains open to improvement, but wants genuinely good ground and surely won’t get it unless the Clerk of The Course has got things badly wrong.

Liari has proven himself on the ground, when beating Knight Of Allen and was clearly not right when pulling up in the Boodles, so is respected after an encouraging return, but preference is for the underappreciated Ooh Betty.

There are no fitness concerns with the consistent and improving Ooh Betty and she first caught the eye when third in the competitive EBF Mares Final here in March; in truth, she appeared to not quite get the two-and-a-half-mile trip and that was backed up when she took on Golden Ace at Cheltenham a month later. Holding a chance at the last, she faded up the hill, despite again showing useful form and was better than the bare result.

Ooh Betty reappeared at Sandown back over two miles and travelled like the best horse in the race throughout, picking off Jour d’Evasion at the last and going on for a comprehensive three-and-a-half-length win.

I thought she was value for more and, having been sweet on the runner-up in that contest, I feel the run has gone a little under the radar. She is a smart mare in the making and, while this is a stiff test, she represents decent value at 14/1 and bigger.

3.00 Coral Gold Cup Chase

3m 1f 214y

What a disappointing turnout for a £142,375 prize. Just 14 runners, with veteran Sam Brown heading the weights and that asks a question about the depth of talent in the British staying division.

None of the runners appears the sort of handicap blot that would scare off the opposition and there is no obvious excuse for the dearth of runners. I can’t say any of the 14 jump off the page, but in the hope that tacky ground makes this a real test of stamina, I’ll suggest Iron Bridge as value off a potentially lenient mark.

Iron Bridge promised plenty in his novice season and seemed to be brought along with big staying handicaps in mind, but he was infuriating last year, despite finishing second in the Welsh National. That run in gruelling conditions may have left a mark, but he looked right back to his best when third to Val Dancer at Carlisle.

This trip is at the bottom end of his stamina requirements these days, but a strong pace on ground which will sap stamina will help Iron Bridge and he can make the frame at worst, if building on that encouraging return.

3.35 Coral “Pipped-At-The-Post” And Win Handicap Chase

2m 92y

Etalon has plenty of weight to carry but his rating of 140 is likely to prove lenient and connections were reportedly mulling an Arkle bid in the spring. A strapping sort, he’s built to carry weight and looked in need of the run when a well-beaten fifth in the Haldon Gold Cup on his return, where he also found the ground too lively. In truth, he might need another run to put him spot on, but he has the class to concede weight to his rivals, if at his best.

Newcastle Saturday

2.10 BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 46y

I’m not sure the Fighting Fifth is an ideal betting medium, with both Sir Gino and Mystical Power having plenty to recommend them as second season hurdlers, but also returning after a break, so any progress made over the summer is the subject of speculation and supposition, unless you’re the type to take particular note of racecourse gallops.

My only angle in here is one of age, and I do think juvenile hurdlers have more to find to develop into Champion Hurdle contenders, making them vulnerable in the early part of the season. It’s worth noting that Countrywide Flame is the only four-year-old to win the Fighting Fifth since the Reg Hollinshead-trained Out Of The Gloom almost 40 years ago.

That sways my verdict towards Mystical Power, who ought to be a marginal favourite in terms of what he’s achieved in any event, and it’s likely an overreaction to Sir Gino beating a below-par Constitution Hill in a televised workout at Newbury that means that isn’t the case.

3.20 BetMGM Rehearsal

Handicap Chase 2m 7f 91y

The Changing Man was moving sweetly when crashing out in the Badger Beer at Wincanton on his return and is taken to make amends under conditions which will suit.

I’ve always been a fan of the gelding, who is out of that smart mare Bitofapuzzle and has always looked a decent stayer in the making.

The Changing Man was trading at short odds when departing at Wincanton and would surely have gone close if staying on his feet and while his jumping is a slight concern, he had jumped well enough until his departure and I’d not be hugely concerned about that. He remains unexposed granted a test over fences and can rate higher in time.

Recommended

Issam 1.54 Newbury – 1pt e/w 10/1 (Bet365, 8/1 general - 4 places)

Ooh Betty 2.25 Newbury – 1pt e/w 16/1 (general – 4 places)

Iron Bridge 3.00 Newbury – 0.5pts e/w 25/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes – 4 places)

The Changing Man 3.20 Newcastle – 1pt win 5/1 (general)