UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

The hat-trick seeking Star Of Affinity has proved most progressive since returning with a victory at Exeter in October and another bold bid looks likely. However, a 9lb hike for his Kempton triumph earlier this month could prove to be his undoing, with KING OF THE LAKE edging the vote. A wind procedure worked the oracle for Jeremy Scott's gelding judged on his 26-length romp at Wincanton 13 days ago and an 11lb higher mark looks surmountable. Bobby Socks is also noted.
Prediction : 1st King Of The Lake 2nd Star Of Affinity 3rd Bobby Socks

GIVE IT TO ME OJ built on his promising third-placed timber bow behind current Triumph Hurdle joint-favourite East India Dock at Wincanton when finishing runner-up behind unbeaten hurdler Gibbs Island at Haydock earlier this month. This looks a golden opportunity for the Time Test gelding to shed his maiden tag and he's likely to prove a warm order. The biggest threat may emerge from recent Warwick second Ocean Conquest, while market support for the selection's stablemate Bradshaw on his opening bid in this sphere would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Give It To Me Oj 2nd Ocean Conquest 3rd Bradshaw

A wind procedure in January enabled a return to form from BASHERS REFLECTION when finishing a good second in a class 3 event at Wetherby at the start of this month. Ben Case's charge makes plenty of appeal dropping into class 4 company, more so racing off an unchanged mark. Although he pulled up at Hereford last month, The Good Doctor may have found his previous exertions catching up with him and the six-year-old isn't taken lightly. All Authorized may chase the aforementioned pair home.
Prediction : 1st Bashers Reflection 2nd The Good Doctor 3rd All Authorized

PIERROT JAGUEN got off the mark under Rules in impression fashion over 2m7f at Lingfield four weeks ago and, given that the third has won since, Olly Murphy's gelding sets the standard on the back of that performance. That said, Horaces Pearl maintained his unbeaten record on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon in November and, while this demands much more, the Grade 2 bumper winner is an obvious threat to the selection. Lud'or is the clear pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Pierrot Jaguen 2nd Horaces Pearl 3rd Ludor

MOUNT TEMPEST failed to fire when last seen at Sandown but the eight-year-old can be given another chance based on his previous success off just a 3lb lower mark at the same venue. The Famous Five filled second place over 2m3f at Chepstow last time and could repeat that achievement here, although Duhallow Tommy and Rath Gaul Hill are others who merit places on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Mount Tempest 2nd The Famous Five 3rd Duhallow Tommy

Gamesters Guy looks set to relish this step up in trip on his handicap debut, although mark of 130 seems to be stiff enough on what he has achieved to date. With that in mind, preference is for WONDERFUL EAGLE, who has placed in two valuable handicaps at Cheltenham on his last couple of starts and remains open to further improvement. The consistent Magical King edges out Saint Palais to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Wonderful Eagle 2nd Gamesters Guy 3rd Magical King