Architect Tips has picked out his three best bets at Newbury on Coral Long Distance Hurdle Day on Friday.
13:50 Newbury
Tip 1 – 13:50 Newbury – REGENT’S STROLL – 2pt Win
An excellent turnout for this Grade 2 event, and REGENT’S STROLL (NAP) gets my vote to make a statement on his chase debut for team Ditcheat.
This dual course winner was last seen going close in a Grade 1 at Aintree when only denied by half a length, and he’s the type who should only improve for tackling fences.
Even with race-fit rivals like Wendigo and Kingston Pride in opposition, Paul Nicholls’ exciting novice is fancied to make a deep impression on his return.
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14:25 Newbury
Tip 2 – 14:25 Newbury – TELEPATHIQUE – 1pt Win
TELEPATHIQUE found the progressive Paggane too strong at Carlisle, but the change in tactics didn’t play to her strengths, and a return to a positive ride — with the benefit of that run — should see her in a much better light.
The form of that comeback effort has worked out beautifully, with the winner bolting up in a Listed race earlier this week. TELEPATHIQUE loves this sort of track, boasting four wins and two seconds from six starts in this sphere, and she doesn’t look badly handicapped off 148.
She’s got a chunky weight to lump around, but she’s the class act in the line-up and should be sharper this time. A bold bid looks very much on the cards.
15:00 Newbury
Tip 3 – 15:00 Newbury – STRONG LEADER – 1.5pt Win
In the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle, I’m sticking with STRONG LEADER, who can land this race for the second year running for Murphy and Bowen.
He made slightly hard work of things on his return at Wetherby, but he was only hitting top gear late on, and with that run under his belt he’s going to be a tough nut to crack.
A Grade 1 winner already, he’s strongly fancied to confirm the form with Take No Chances and Doddiethegreat, and this looks like the perfect stepping stone back into top-level company. I think he should be shorter in the betting.
