11:45 Fairyhouse

This looks a top class beginners chase and I am surprised Monty’s Star (best priced at 13/2) is such a big price this morning. The Henry De Bromhead trained six-year-old has PTP experience including when 2nd behind Stay Away Fay a couple of years ago and he got off the mark over hurdles last season beating stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake in a Grade 3 Novice Hurdle over 3 miles at Clonmel. He disappointed when pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival but looks sure to improve chasing this season.

Nick Rockett, who was 2/2 over hurdles last season, looks the biggest danger to Montys’ Star but I would be disappointed if Monty’s Star isn’t involved in the finish and he should run well for a yard well known for improving horses going chasing.

Montys Star - 0.5pts e/w @ 13/2

14:15 Newbury

Brentford Hope was an impressive 16 length winner over this course and distance last time but he may struggle against the well handicapped Under Control (best priced at 13/8). Nicky Henderson has won this race three times in the previous four years with First Street (2022), Floressa (2020) and Epatante (2019) and Under Control has a very similar profile to Epatante.

Under Control beat Iberico Lord in the valuable novices’ handicap hurdle at Sandown on her final start last season off a mark of 128 and she runs here off a 9lbs higher mark in this race. Iberico Lord has since boosted that form by winning the Greatwood Hurdle on his reappearance and is now rated 14lbs higher. She therefore looks well handicapped and should prove hard to beat following a wind operation.

Under Control - 2pts @ 13/8

14:50 Newbury

Second season chasers have a good record in this race so it is easy to see why Complete Unknown, Monbeg Genius and Mahler Mission (best priced at 13/2) head the market. The latter would have won the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival over 3m6f if he hadn’t fallen at the second last fence when four lengths clear so it was no surprise to see him outpaced over 2m4f at Carlisle on his reappearance behind Thunder Rock.

Mahler Mission jump left handed that day so Newbury should suit and he is expected to run well with up to seven places available with his yard thankfully getting a much needed winner yesterday.

Mahler Mission - 0.5pts e/w @ 8/1

15:25 Newbury

Master Chewy (best priced at 6/5) was an impressive twelve length winner on his chasing debut at Aintree on his reappearance and had the form of his latest run boosted yesterday. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained six-year-old was inconvenienced by three fences being omitted in the home straight when beaten by ¾ length at Aintree by Djelo last month but that rival won by 5 ½ lengths here yesterday off a 7lb higher mark.

Master Chewy runs here off a 6lb higher mark so he looks well handicapped and should prove hard to beat with recent Haydock winner Real Stone looking the main danger.

Master Chewy - 1pt @ 6/5