UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

James Owen's Flat recruits continue to make a significant impact in this discipline, and LIAM SWAGGER, now two from two over hurdles following last month's Listed Wetherby triumph, has been no different. The son of Iffraaj is fancied to give weight and a beating to Miss Altea Blue, who was far from disgraced on her UK debut, although more will be needed if she's to lay a glove on the selection. Alan King often does well with his juvenile hurdlers and Believitanducan requires a market check.
Prediction : 1st Liam Swagger 2nd Miss Altea Blue 3rd Believitanducan

ROYSSE looked the most likely winner approaching two from home on his seasonal/hurdles debut, but he blew up a little near the finish and could only manage second. That performance was promising, though, and he can go one place better today with that outing under his belt. El Rayo finished a creditable third at Huntingdon last month and any improvement would bring him firmly into this, while Mistress Emma, who hasn't been seen since winning a Worcester bumper in June 2022, would be of interest should the market spoke in her favour.
Prediction : 1st Roysse 2nd El Rayo 3rd Mistress Emma

Kintail has race-fitness on his side but he will need to improve having made a low-key chasing debut at Warwick last month, and preference is for HERAKLES WESTWOOD. The seven-year-old wasn't always foot perfect on his debut over fences at Taunton recently but he was still able to fill the runner-up spot, and that previous experience can be the difference today. Wrappedupinmay is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Herakles Westwood 2nd Wrappedupinmay 3rd Kintail

Point-to-point winner BUCKNA caught the eye with a zestful second-placed finish on his Rules/hurdles debut over 2m at Ffos Las 28 days ago. Sure to be wiser and with the step up in a trip a source for improvement, the Warren Greatrex-trained four-year-old, who set connections back 350,000 pounds, looks a very bright prospect. Nativehill, another expensive recruit from the points scene, is another must for consideration starting out for a high profile yard. De Kingpin is also feared given his hurdles experience.
Prediction : 1st Buckna 2nd Nativehill 3rd De Kingpin

GENERAL MEDRANO made light work of what appeared to be a competitive event over this course and distance last month and, given that was just his second start after wind surgery, it is fair to assume the Emma Lavelle-trained gelding can launch a bold attempt to defy a 10lb higher mark today. Javert Allen made a winning debut over fences at Chepstow and is another must for consideration of just 5lb higher. Primoz is forwarded as the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st General Medrano 2nd Javert Allen 3rd Primoz

Densworth showed the benefit of his fifth-placed chase/seasonal bow at Aintree in October when scoring with ease at Wetherby the following month. The seven-year-old had a subsequent winner behind in third that day and he warrants respect, but Ben Pauling's inmate is effectively racing off a 19lb higher without Callum Pritchard's claim and BEAU BALKO is preferred. The son of Balko arrives on the back of a solid second at this venue and compensation may beckon off an unchanged mark. Saint Segal is also worth a second look for a yard in fine fettle.
Prediction : 1st Beau Balko 2nd Densworth 3rd Saint Segal

Although unable to justify favouritism when runner-up on her racecourse debut at Stratford in October, Ride Like A Girl rates as the one to beat out of those with race experience. With that being said, there are some intriguing newcomers on show that could prove stronger in the shape of Yeld To Call, a half-sister to bumper winner Blue Carpet, and ARFURSGAL, with preference for the latter. Anthony Honeyball boasts a respectable strike-rate with his bumper runners at this venue over the past five years and sustained market support for his filly would increase confidence.
Prediction : 1st Arfursgal 2nd Yeld To Call 3rd Ride Like A Girl