Sam Turner runs the rule over the four televised ITV races this Friday.
13:50 Newbury
Formerly a high-class hurdler YANWORTH (Best price 5-6) was unfortunate to come down at Exeter when simply landing a shade too steeply and he can regain the winning thread at the expense of Willoughby Court and Fontwell scorer Adrien Du Pont.
Trainer Alan King was rendered incandescent with rage with the suggestion his gelding might return to hurdles, citing the unlucky nature of his charge’s Exeter departure rather than any error-strewn technique.
Willoughby Court should appreciate the return to a left-handed track after jumping poorly at Huntingdon on his chasing bow. However, Yanworth may have more latent speed than his main market rival and is taken to get his chasing career back on track.
14:25 Newbury
Course winner Willie Boy heads a lengthy shortlist for an open race with his yard among the winners and the manner of his track win still fresh in the mind. A 6lb rise may not be enough to see him take a hand in this event with conditions to suit. The market has identified his chance however and there could be more juice in the price of RIDGEWAY FLYER (Best price 6-1) who arrives looking for a five timer after two hurdles wins and a couple over fences. He is clearly thriving at present for his new stable and the assessor may not have caught up with him just yet judged on the manner of his successes.
15:00 Newbury
UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (Best price 2-1) and the returning Thistlecrack look set for a momentous duel here with narrow preference for the former who is unbeaten in four starts for Barry Geraghty. Thistlecrack hasn’t been seen for the best part of a year after being sidelined with injury, but he is reported in rude health for his comeback at a venue he has gone well at previously. However, there could be a chance he is ring rusty after a lengthy absence and the King George on Boxing Day is no doubt the primary objective so with that in mind Unowhatimeanharry is taken to defend a course record which stands at 2-2. Admittedly, he was only workmanlike at Aintree, but that is his run style and he can make the most of a fitness edge.
15:35 Newbury
HELLO GEORGE (Best price 6-1) might be fragile, but he is talented on his day and Philip Hobbs appears to have nursed the eight-year-old back to somewhere near his best.
A winner by 11 lengths at today’s venue last March, Hello George hasn’t always enjoyed the best of fitness, but he appears in good nick at present and should appreciate the rigours of this race and the cut in the ground after an encouraging Ayr effort when narrowly beaten.
Forza Milan stepped up on his September comeback with a fine effort at Aintree last time behind a Hobbs horse who looked ahead of his mark and looks to be coming to a peak so could prove the chief danger.
