UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

ZANZA could leave his Silver Trophy disappointment behind him for a thriving Philip Hobbs team at a track he secured a victory over this distance last season. The five-year-old got the better of Robert Walford's Our Merlin on that occasion and he could be the main danger once again at a course he has a decent record at, including finishing third in this last season. Magic Dancer can run well fresh and has had recent wind surgery to help his cause, while Tom George has his string in decent order and his Petit Palais could build on his recent Chepstow reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Zanza 2nd Our Merlin 3rd Petit Palais

YOUNG LIEUTENANT, who ran with credit in a hot Wetherby bumper on debut, opened his account at the second attempt when showing a good attitude at Exeter in January. He should have lots more to come now jumping obstacles and although he may need further in time, is entitled to play a leading part over this trip for now. There was no fluke about Katahdin's Southwell victory back in the early part of last year and he backed that up with a sterling effort to get within three and a half lengths of Emitom at Warwick on his next start. It is interesting to see what he can bring to the table following 18 months off the track having joined Colin Tizzard. The Royal runner Steal A March had excuses on debut and is respected for a leading yard, while Sir Valentine shaped nicely at Chepstow before falling late on.
Prediction : 1st Young Lieutenant 2nd Katahdin 3rd Sir Valentine

CHAMP was twice a winner here over timber last season, including when landing the Grade 1 Challow hurdle over 2m4f, but his best effort came when stepped up to three miles to win Aintree's Sefton Novices' Hurdle on his final outing of the campaign. That marked him out as one to watch switching to the chasing ranks this term and Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old could take plenty of beating if taking to the larger obstacles. Dashel Drasher notched up four wins in a row over hurdles last season, perhaps going a little under the radar in doing so, and don't be surprised if his shrewd handler has him well schooled ahead of this chasing debut. Beakstown failed to convince on his chasing debut at Wetherby, but the winner of that race franked the form at the weekend and he should be good enough to challenge for a podium place here.
Prediction : 1st Champ 2nd Dashel Drasher 3rd Beakstown

Heaven Help Us beat a solid yardstick in the shape of Master Debonair at Cheltenham in a maiden hurdle last month and shouldn't be underestimated again, while Vienna Court, a brave Ffos Las scorer three weeks ago, is related to plenty of winners and could take another step forward in her development. Preference, though, is for SILVER FOREVER, who showed a professional attitude to strike on her hurdles debut at Chepstow recently. The five-year-old took high rank in bumpers and is fancied to do the same in this discipline, following the exact same path as successful stablemate Posh Trish. Runaway Worcester winner Floressa is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Silver Forever 2nd Vienna Court 3rd Floressa

Any Drama showed potential in the 2016/17 season before a 21-month absence for Harry Fry. His chasing debut ended with a tired-looking fall, and the eight-year-old hasn't been witnessed on the track since those exertions last December. Diablo De Rouhet is respected having won two of his last three starts, but a more tempting proposition is the returning GEORDIE B. An easy winner at Lingfield and Exeter last season, the six-year-old is going in the right direction and could still be ahead of the handicapper.
Prediction : 1st Geordie B 2nd Diablo De Rouhet 3rd Any Drama

AMOOLA GOLD accounted for Brelan D'As at Hereford a year ago and he chased home a pair of useful rivals on his sole subsequent start the following month. Those performances both suggest that he could be well handicapped and he represents a yard who can get one ready after a break. Barton Knoll failed to fire last time out but is a player based on his previous victory at Haydock, while Got Away and Dustin Des Mottes complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Amoola Gold 2nd Barton Knoll 3rd Got Away

Major Dundee has to be respected following his Southwell win in May but the 7lb penalty he carries today is a concern. Carys' Commodity may well have won at Worcester last time out but for unseating his rider inside the final furlong and he should not be underestimated today. That said, the preference is for CADZAND, who was an impressive winner of a point-to-point earlier in the year and he makes his Rules debut today for a yard in decent form right now.
Prediction : 1st Cadzand 2nd Carys Commodity 3rd Major Dundee