UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

CLASSIC BEN landed the victory he had been threatening over fences when out-battling Ami Desbois at Sandown and, possessing all the characteristics of the ideal staying chaser, it would be no surprise if there was more to come here off a 4lb higher mark. Joe Farrell is entitled to come on for his seasonal reappearance here earlier this month and the handicapper has been kind enough to lower him by 2lb, while Ziga Boy ran with plenty of zest in that contest before his two-year absence caught up with him and is another worthy of consideration. Strong Pursuit performed well for a long way at Sandown last time and could improve now wearing a tongue-tie, with Salmanazar not far behind in fourth on that occasion and he gives Alan King a second useful arrow to fire having run well again since.
Prediction : 1st Classic Ben 2nd Strong Pursuit 3rd Joe Farrell

FRIEND OR FOE was well touted for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival before missing the cut at the declaration stage and Paul Nicholls' Taunton winner, who beat a useful yardstick on that occasion, aims to earn some compensation here on his opening handicap appearance. Elysees had a right old ding-dong up the Doncaster straight with the selection's stablemate Quel Destin, eventually going down by a neck, when last seen in this sphere and should be primed for this following a spin round Wolverhampton. Blunders in the jumping department hindered Prabeni's Fred Winter bid earlier this month but he could be capable of getting involved with a cleaner round of hurdling, while Groveman, Rose Sea Has and Idilico are others to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Friend Or Foe 2nd Elysees 3rd Prabeni

Dan Skelton took this last season with Roksana and fires two bullets at the race this time around with Etamine Du Cochet, the pick of Harry Skelton making her first appearance since wind surgery, and So Lonely, who has placed on her last two outings and is closely matched with her Fontwell conqueror Millarville. Meep Meep has been off the track since disappointing in a Listed contest at Haydock, but had two respectable Chepstow performances under her belt before that and could be leniently treated on ground which should be more suitable, while Off The Hook was third in that aforementioned Haydock event, not beaten far, and has since opened her account with a victory over some useful opponents at Ayr. Oscar Rose, fifth in this last season, had to play second fiddle to The White Mouse at Doncaster last time, but Fergal O'Brien's durable seven-year-old has the experience to play a part here, while Lucy Wadham's five-year-old, who was a four-length winner when they met at Town Moor, appears to be on an upward curve. However, a chance is taken on SWEET ADARE, who dead-heated with Indefitagable in a Southwell bumper last spring, which given that rival's subsequent CV, suggests she has plenty of potential. She has been slowly coming to the boil over timber, performing with credit when finishing second the last twice since undergoing wind surgery, and Harry Cobden catches the eye in the saddle.
Prediction : 1st Sweet Adare 2nd Off The Hook 3rd Meep Meep

Cobra De Mai (first) accounted for Got Away (second) at Leicester 15 days ago and the pair look closely matched on form once more, but this can go the way of GALA BALL, who made a pleasing return to action when second over course and distance three weeks ago. That was his first run since March 2017 and, with promising form during that season behind the likes of Buveur D'Air, A Hare Breath and Warriors Tale, the nine-year-old could still fulfil some of that early potential.
Prediction : 1st Gala Ball 2nd Cobra De Mai 3rd Got Away

Sunrise Ruby looks to be the pick of Nicky Henderson's pair after a nice showing here on hurdles debut in January, while Makety was second at 25-1 behind Epatante last time out and could take another step forward here. Elisezmoi was a winner in this sphere in France and could go well for Gary Moore, but HUMBLE HERO receives a tentative vote. Second to Ballymore Novices' Hurdle third Bright Forecast at Leicester in December before narrowly failing to get off the mark at Ludlow 65 days ago, Dan Skelton's charge is going the right way and was useful on the Flat last year (rated 91).
Prediction : 1st Humble Hero 2nd Sunrise Ruby 3rd Makety

GET IN THE QUEUE was an impressive winner on debut at Uttoxeter and produced a similar performance in the fog at Exeter when sauntering clear to win by 16 lengths. Connections opted to miss the Champion Bumper in favour of coming here and he can give Noel Fehily the perfect send off before his impending retirement. Nimby won well on the all-weather at Lingfield in December and is open to plenty of improvement along with Wetherby winner Prince Llywelyn, who showed a really good attitude when getting off the mark at the second attempt. Others to consider include Fugitives Drift and last year's runner-up Hotter Than Hell.
Prediction : 1st Get In The Queue 2nd Nimby 3rd Prince Llywelyn

LILLINGTON was a comfortable winner by six lengths over C&D, when benefiting from the drop in distance, earlier this month and a 6lb rise from the handicapper appears more than fair for Colin Tizzard's gelding. Master Work ran with promise on his chase debut at Leicester and can improve on that display, while the return to a more galloping track could suit Dicosimo on the evidence of his win at Haydock in January.
Prediction : 1st Lillington 2nd Master Work 3rd Dicosimo