Saturday Newsletter – 19th January 2019

12.40 Rosling King Juvenile Hurdle (Qualifier) (3) 1m7f152y

Timeform Top Rated
130p 3. POUCOR Mick Channon Jonathan Burke
129 4. VLANNON Michael Madgwick Brendan Powell
128p 1. BEAT THE JUDGE Gary Moore Joshua Moore

Analyst’s Verdict:
Lightly raced and fairly useful Flat winner Honorable didn’t go unbacked prior to stumbling and unseating his rider at the first on recent hurdles debut at Sandown and is well worth another chance. Poucor and Beat The Judge have made solid starts to their hurdle careers and are respected.

1.15 Matchbook Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase (3) 2¼m175y

Timeform Top Rated
140p 3. ECU DE LA NOVERIE Philip Hobbs Mr David Maxwell
137 2. RISK AND ROLL Paul Nicholls Mr Bryan Carver (7)
136 4. UN PROPHETE Venetia Williams Miss Lucy Turner (5)

Analyst’s Verdict: 
Ecu de La Noverie shaped well back over fences at Haydock 3 weeks ago and is one to be interested in off this sort of mark back down in trip. Wolfcatcher is 5 lb higher for winning a 3-runner event at Musselburgh but he beat a subsequent winner in good style that day so may emerge as the biggest threat.

1.50 olbg.com Mares’ Hurdle (Warfield) (Grade 2) (1) 2m7f118y

Timeform Top Rated
159 2. CULTURE DE SIVOLA Nick Williams Lizzie Kelly
155 1. JESTER JET Tom Lacey Robert Dunne
151 3. IF YOU SAY RUN Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Analyst’s Verdict: 
Magic of Light has to prove that she’s as effective over hurdles, but her chase form (including a career-best win at Newbury last month) marks her out as the one to beat. Culture de Sivola is more straightforward than If You Say Run so could reverse Kempton form, while Jester Jet isn’t out of this, either.

2.25 Matchbook Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (1) 2m3f58y

Timeform Top Rated
154p 9. THOSEDAYSAREGONE Charles Byrnes Robbie Power
153p 1. BALLYMOY Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Bellamy
152p 4. SEDDON Tom George Paddy Brennan

Analyst’s Verdict:
Ballymoy’s latest victory was never in doubt as he sauntered clear from the front and, while this looks more competitive, he’s still firmly on the up and unexposed at this sort of trip, so he can extend his winning run unless there’s another step up from recent Wetherby scorer Thosedaysaregone. Seddon and New Quay are another pair that probably haven’t finished improving.

3.00 bet365 Handicap Chase (2) 2m5f8y

Timeform Top Rated
165 6. BELAMI DES PICTONS Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
163p 4. BENATAR Gary Moore Jamie Moore
163 1. MISTER WHITAKER Mick Channon Jonathan Burke

Analyst’s Verdict:
Benatar ran his best race of the campaign when third over further in last month’s Silver Cup, the fact he failed to settle fully arguably costing him second. However, he remains a low-mileage chaser on a competitive mark and is fancied to go close back down in trip. Belami Des Pictons is a fascinating contender if ready to roll on return, though the chief threat may come in the shape of Mr Medic.

3.35 Matchbook Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (1) 2m167y

Timeform Top Rated
194p 1. ALTIOR Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
181 3. FOX NORTON Colin Tizzard Robbie Power
171 2. DIEGO DU CHARMIL Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Analyst’s Verdict: 
Impossible to oppose Altior who had Diego du Charmil 19 lengths behind in second at Kempton over Christmas. Other runner Fox Norton might be up to giving Nicky Henderson’s charge something to think about at his very best but he hasn’t been seen since pulling up in last season’s King George.

4.05 Matchbook British EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (3) 2m5f141y

Timeform Top Rated
136p 5. DOWNTOWN GETAWAY Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
135 1. ADMIRAL BARRATRY Lucy Wadham Leighton Aspell
134p 4. CHAMPAGNE WELL Fergal O’Brien Paddy Brennan

Analyst’s Verdict: 
Downtown Getaway shaped most encouragingly when runnerup to a strong stayer on hurdles/stable debut at Newbury last month, and can take this before going on to tackle better races. Russian Hawk has made a promising start to his career and can provide the main threat ahead of Champagne Well.