UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

QUEENSBURY BOY finished second to the useful Wingmen in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival last May, before returning to record a commanding success on his hurdling bow recently. Harry Derham's charge is hard to oppose under the penalty, and Haydock winner Ski Lodge, who looks the main threat, will need considerable progress to upset the apple cart. Captain Bellamy, first past the post over C&D in December before losing out in the stewards' room, can chase the penalised pair home.
Prediction : 1st Queensbury Boy 2nd Ski Lodge 3rd Captain Bellamy

Havaila recorded a facile success in a three-runner contest at Plumpton last time and he merits respect under a 7lb penalty, but preference is for LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The eight-year-old shaped with significant promise when returning from over two years off the track at Kempton in November and was far from disgraced when finishing second to Ultima runner-up The Changing Man in the Reynoldstown at Ascot next time. With that in mind, a handicap mark of 127 does not look beyond him. The consistent Art Of Diplomacy is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Leave Of Absence 2nd Havaila 3rd Art Of Diplomacy

GLORY AND FORTUNE has largely struggled since landing the Betfair Hurdle in 2022 but there were more encouraging signs for Tom Lacey's 10-year-old last time when third at Kempton in December. The son of Fame And Glory might not be one to rely on heavily but if able to build on that performance, he ought to go very close from an unchanged mark. Mythical Moon continues to run well in defeat and is entitled to the utmost respect now sent handicapping, while the class-dropping Aucunrisque should not be underestimated either.
Prediction : 1st Glory And Fortune 2nd Mythical Moon 3rd Aucunrisque

WELCOM TO CARTRIES has been chasing, finishing an honourable fourth in a Sandown Grade 2 before coming up predictably short in the Kauto Star. Switched back to timber, presumably to preserve his novice status over fences next term, he is fancied to boost his confidence. Hititi's Exeter second was franked when the winner and third made the frame in last week's Pertemps Final. Zain Nights pulled up in that Festival event, but took this prize 12 months ago. Go To War took a step back in the right direction when third over an extended 2m4f here and is worth a try at this distance.
Prediction : 1st Welcom To Cartries 2nd Hititi 3rd Go To War

KIKIJO didn't show too much on his first couple of UK starts but was a revelation on his chasing debut, striding clear to score over 2m4f here, with All Authorized back in third. He will relish the extra distance - and even further in time - while the experience gained will help his jumping. He looks a bright prospect. Sherborne registered a deserved success at Exeter, but will find this tougher. Nevertheless, he has to be respected, as does Muskoka now that he cuts back in trip.
Prediction : 1st Kikijo 2nd Sherborne 3rd Muskoka

This looks a wide-open handicap but a bold bid is expected from MURPHY'S MILAN, who shaped with promise when not beaten too far into fourth over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow in November. The lightly-raced six-year-old could be suited by stepping up in trip for his handicap debut and an opening mark of 109 looks workable, while the recent good form of his stable inspires further confidence. Kintail was running a big race when unseating his rider at the last over 3m2f at Warwick 12 days ago and this drop in distance should help, while Holokea is another to consider after filling the runner-up berth off this mark at Market Rasen.
Prediction : 1st Murphys Milan 2nd Kintail 3rd Holokea

ITCHY FEET achieved a mark of 155 over fences in his pomp and despite being 19lb lower now, he still comes out clear on official ratings in this hunters' chase. Olly Murphy's veteran blew away the cobwebs with a couple of hurdle spins in January and could have too much class for these rivals on his return to chasing, although Enrilo was only beaten a length in a similar event at Ludlow last month and the Paul Nicholls-trained C&D winner will be no pushover. Rebel Dawn Rising looks best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Itchy Feet 2nd Enrilo 3rd Rebel Dawn Rising