1.50 Newbury

Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson combined to land a handicap chase at the Berkshire venue yesterday and VIEUX LILLE (Best price 7-1) could provide the in-form combination with further joy today. The first-time cheekpieces could be a catalyst to a more focussed performance from the selection who is yet to totally convince over fences, but he has faced some stiff asks this term and he arguably ran a shade better than his finishing position suggested last time. Hopefully he can find some rhythm at his fences under Johnson and see off the likes of Shotavodka who tackles slightly better ground than he did here last time and should go well.

Vieux Lille - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1

2.25 Newbury

The Hobbs/Johnson axis boast another live chance in this event courtesy of novice Gala Ball who, like his stablemate in the first, sports the headgear for the first time. His jumping lacked any finesse here last time, but if he put it all together he boasts the class to make a real impact on an interesting race. However, NO BUTS (Best price 12-1) bounced back to form in style at Warwick and, although he hasn’t always been the most consistent, he should continue to give a good account back at a track where he has run well in the past.

No Buts - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1

3.00 Newbury

With bookmakers keen to go eight or nine to one the field, it doesn’t take a lot of working out that this is a tough race for punters to unravel. In those circumstances, COPPER KAY (Best price 9-1) can only be offered as a tentative selection. A fine third to La Bague Au Roi over two miles at this venue at the Hennessy meeting in November, the seven-year-old should have won at Warwick on her next start, but lost concentration after jumping the final flight and was overhauled late on. A subsequent confidence booster at Doncaster when a very short price should have set her up nicely for today and she is shortlisted along with recent Warwick scorer GRAND TURINA (Best price 11-1) and Lamanver Odyssey who has been trained for this race all season. Grand Turnina may not have beaten a great deal at Warwick, but she is thriving at present and will arrive fresher than most with ground to suit.

Copper Kay - 0.5pts e/w @ 9/1
Grand Turina - 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1

3.35 Newbury

Viewed as an exciting long-term prospect, connections of DON BERSY (best price 10-3) deliberately kept their charge clear of the Cheltenham festival and that decision could be vindicated with victory today. A smooth victory at Haydock on easy ground surprisingly didn’t impress the handicapper who only raised him 1lb for his defeat of Zalvados. However, the selection only just does enough so remains well treated and there could be another victory awaiting him today with his yard among the winners of late.

Don Bersy - 1pt @ 10/3

2.40 Kelso

Seeyouatmidnight is the class horse in this race and respected on his return to hurdles following a four-month absence, however track regular BIG RIVER (Best price 4-1) shaped with some promise at Haydock last time behind the improving Dadsintrouble and should find this stamina test to his liking. His conqueror was far from disgraced in a warm Cheltenham handicap last week and the selection, whose yard have struck some form of late, skipped through deep ground to score at Ayr before Christmas so conditions should be no issue this afternoon.

Big River - 0.5pts e/w @ 4/1

3.15 Kelso

The decision to equip SELDOM INN (Best price 3-1) with the cheekpieces again paid off handsomely earlier this month when the nine-year-old routed his rivals for a wide-margin success. Trainer Sandy Thomson had always previously thought testing conditions were never likely to show the gelding in the best light, but Seldom Inn coped well with the deep ground last time and can follow up off his revised mark. The selection has won on three of his four starts at today’s venue and goes well for Brian Hughes so narrowly gains the nod over Yala Enki and Baywing.

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Seldom Inn - 1pt @ 3/1