UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

Caught in the shadow of the post over 2m5f at Kempton last month, HARDY BOY looks set to benefit from a marginally reduced trip given how agonising his defeat was at the Sunbury circuit. He can go one better, especially given Luca Morgan negates all of the gelding's 3lb rise with his claim. Sashenka and Chives rate his most serious dangers, although Langafel is worth a market check following almost a year on the sidelines.
Prediction : 1st Hardy Boy 2nd Sashenka 3rd Chives

TWIG struggled in the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster over an extended 3m but can bounce back on this drop in class. He has to shoulder a 7lb penalty for an emphatic win at Kempton on his penultimate outing, but that looks unlikely to stop him from asserting his authority on this contest. American Sniper sports first-time cheekpieces and is feared most, ahead of Diamond Egg.
Prediction : 1st Twig 2nd American Sniper 3rd Diamond Egg

Connections of Highland Frolic now reach for a first-time visor in an attempt to improve their charge but preference is for UNDER CONTROL, who makes her debut for Nicky Henderson following a pleasing victory in France on her racecourse bow in December. She holds an entry in the mares' novice at Cheltenham and an impressive performance here could even book her Festival ticket. Fourofakind made an encouraging start for Harry Derham at Taunton and is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Under Control 2nd Highland Frolic 3rd Fourofakind

Herbiers took a big step forward from his chasing bow when just denied at Kempton and the six-year-old, a winner here over timber in November, commands plenty of respect. Brief Times is capable of better following wind surgery, but the vote goes to NOTHIN TO ASK. The combination of soft ground and stepping up in trip may have been his undoing when pulled up here on New Year's Eve and it would be no surprise to see him return to form.
Prediction : 1st Nothin To Ask 2nd Herbiers 3rd Brief Times

Bothwell Bridge ran a lot better on his return to hurdles when fifth in a competitive handicap at Sandown and he is entitled to build on that performance, especially with his rider's 10lb claim to aid his cause. The vote, though, goes to EMITOM, who has been given a chance by the handicapper and a change of scenery might aid the Grade 2 winner's cause. Hurricane Harvey and Up The Straight appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Emitom 2nd Bothwell Bridge 3rd Hurricane Harvey

CALGARY TIGER put in a solid enough round of jumping when he made all to cause a shock on his debut over fences in a class 4 handicap at Wincanton and assuming this race doesn't come around too quickly given he'd had almost two years off prior to that reappearance, he could be hard to catch. Gallic Geordie has the most chasing experience and rates as the main threat, while Yes Indeed returns after a wind operation and is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Calgary Tiger 2nd Gallic Geordie 3rd Yes Indeed

SPRING NOTE is the most interesting candidate on show and given that her dam is a half-sister to the high-class Oscar Whisky, this appears to be an ideal bit of placement by Nicky Henderson to get a confidence booster into the five-year-old on her handicap introduction. The in-form Porter In The Park is respected getting 3lb from the selection and is very capable of making this a good test. Passing Reflection is taken seriously on her handicap bow too.
Prediction : 1st Spring Note 2nd Porter In The Park 3rd Passing Reflection