UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

This is well within the compass of unexposed chaser MCFABULOUS. He has a couple of Grade 1 options over fences open to him at next month's Cheltenham Festival and, given his proven stamina over this sort of trip, this looks an ideal stepping stone for him. Unanswered Prayers may improve in the first-time cheekpieces and appeals more than Coeur Serein as the one most likely to chase the selection home.
Prediction : 1st McFabulous 2nd Unanswered Prayers 3rd Coeur Serein

Barbados Buck's has twice run well in defeat since returning from wind surgery and, with little to fear over this trip on the forecast going, he is respected. However, ANNUAL INVICTUS may have found the ground at Wincanton more testing than he truly cares for when last seen and he can bounce back here. Jatiluwih is closely matched with the selection judged on their encounter at Cheltenham in December and is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Annual Invictus 2nd Barbados Bucks 3rd Jatiluwih

ELDORADO ALLEN has done well, without winning, since he won last year's renewal of this race and he is expected to be hard to beat back on a happy hunting ground. Hitman had a legitimate excuse, as he was found to have bled from the nose, when he was pulled up behind the selection (fourth) in the King George at Kempton over Christmas. Better can be expected from the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding if all is well this time. Fanion D'estruval (third) finished a long way in front of Kalashnikov (sixth) when they met in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing day and he also warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Eldorado Allen 2nd Hitman 3rd Fanion Destruval

GREANETEEN has been found an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways following his second to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. The nine-year-old, who had returned with victory in the Haldon Gold Cup when conceding 15lb and upwards to his rivals, was no match for Alan King's gelding on that occasion, but it would be a huge surprise were he unable to dominate this opposition. Funambule Sivola hasn't been in the same form this season as when landing this contest 12 months ago before filling the runner-up spot in the Champion Chase, so the most likely rival to chase the selection home may well be Malystic, who produced a smart effort in handicap company at Doncaster last time.
Prediction : 1st Greaneteen 2nd Malystic 3rd Funambule Sivola

FILEY BAY has been very popular in the ante-post betting having recently been purchased by J P McManus after winning a brace of handicaps at Doncaster and Wincanton. A 9lb rise for his most recent success might still not be enough to stop him from progressing further. Hacker Des Places commands respect based on his Trials Day win at Cheltenham, despite carrying a 5lb penalty. Others for the shortlist include Highway One O Two, who ran with plenty of credit in the Christmas Hurdle, Icare Allen and No Ordinary Joe.
Prediction : 1st Filey Bay 2nd Hacker Des Places 3rd Highway One O Two

Holetown Hero merits plenty of respect off the back of two victories, but the double penalty he carries has to be a concern. With that in mind, preference is for ARQOOB, who is highly rated on the Flat and he was far from disgraced when filling second place on his hurdles debut a couple of weeks ago. Russian Ruler edges out Way Out to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Arqoob 2nd Holetown Hero 3rd Russian Ruler

BOWENSPARK confirmed the promise that he displayed on debut when defying a penalty at Warwick in December and the son of Walk In The Park is arguably the one to beat. Masaccio was third to the selection last time, but that was his first start in 622 days and it would be no surprise to see him finish closer here. Meatloaf is another with valid form claims, while Fire Flyer and Aslukgoes are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Bowenspark 2nd Masaccio 3rd Meatloaf