UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

Nicky Henderson won this race in 2021 and 2022, and he could add to that here with promising point-to-point winner SOUTHOFTHEBORDER. Following a bumper success, he impressed when scoring with the minimum of fuss in a 2m maiden hurdle at Sandown in November and, after unseating at two from home in a 2m4f Grade 2 on his last outing, this drop back in class and trip can help him get back on the winning trail. Lump Sum also has solid claims after making it two wins from two over timber at Wincanton last month, but Sam Thomas' charge will need to settle better in the early part of the race to win again now upped in grade. Diesel Line created a good impression when winning a bumper last season and may improve on his third-placed finish on his hurdling bow in November to fill the frame here.
Prediction : 1st Southoftheborder 2nd Lump Sum 3rd Diesel Line

Playtogetaway hasn't looked back since being pitched into handicap company last year, notching two victories, and the latest of which came at Worcester in June. However, a 7lb rise for that win may be enough to stop Jonjo O'Neill's gelding from going in again on his return from a layoff. Titan Discovery scored on his handicap debut at Ascot last month and despite further improvement from Robbie Llewellyn's charge being entirely possible, an 8lb rise for a head success may be hard to overcome here. With that in mind, it may pay to side with handicap debutant RASCAL, who opened his account at Doncaster in November and he could take advantage of what looks to be a workable opening mark with scope for further improvement after only three starts.
Prediction : 1st Rascal 2nd Playtogetaway 3rd Titan Discovery

STORM CONTROL won this race in 2022 and he can make a solid fist of repeating that victory off a 6lb lower official rating. Kerry Lee's gelding was returning from a long absence when finishing down the field at Cheltenham most recently, weakening between the final two fences, and he is entitled to strip fitter for that run here. Pulling Stumps finished second over C&D last month, splitting two in-form rivals in the process, and, nudged up 1lb for that, he can make a bold bid to go one better here. Some Scope arrives on the back of a cosy victory at Catterick in November and is also one for the shortlist in this competitive contest.
Prediction : 1st Storm Control 2nd Pulling Stumps 3rd Some Scope

TAKE NO CHANCES lost little in defeat when runner-up to a progressive rival at Market Rasen last month. A similar bid may be enough to see Dan Skelton's mare regain the winning thread in what looks an open contest. Ex-stablemate Smiling Getaway made a successful yard/hurdles bow at Ludlow just before Christmas and she likely has more to offer in this discipline, while Drumlee Spud and Jaminska have the form to be involved too.
Prediction : 1st Take No Chances 2nd Smiling Getaway 3rd Drumlee Spud

ISSUING AUTHORITY raced with far more verve when scoring in a three-runner beginners' chase at Haydock and Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old may be able to follow up on this return to handicap company. Issar D'Airy's C&D victory was quite taking and he is sure to prove popular. An 8lb rise in the ratings is unlikely to prevent another bold bid and he could give the selection most to think about, ahead of Fine Casting.
Prediction : 1st Issuing Authority 2nd Issar DAiry 3rd Fine Casting

Although Wot You Wearing was thwarted in his hat-trick bid when runner-up at Taunton, that was a good race for the grade. A 3lb rise in the handicap looks more than fair and he warrants respect in his current vein of form. However, last-time-out Uttoxeter scorer SOUND AND FURY boasts an unexposed profile and the seven-year-old edges the vote racing off only 4lb higher. Halifax also makes some appeal now returned to 3m.
Prediction : 1st Sound And Fury 2nd Wot You Wearing 3rd Halifax

Immortal Fame is sure to have his supporters after completing a Doncaster/Ascot double and this stiffer test of stamina may help him cope with the 9lb rise. However, he is likely to be priced accordingly, so there may be some value in taking a punt on CROSSING THE BAR. Neil Mulholland's gelding now races off his last winning mark, with a return to class 4 company expected to help too. Micro Millions warrants a second look with first-time cheekpieces applied.
Prediction : 1st Crossing The Bar 2nd Immortal Fame 3rd Micro Millions