It's been a steady enough week reflecting on the Cheltenham Festival so I'm glad to have a good bit of action to go over this Saturday. Newbury hosts an interesting card full of potential improvers lurking in handicap hurdles. The 2.10 is one of those races which boasts a few potential blots on the handicap and I'm hoping I can hit the board with both of my picks. SPIRITS BAY was a horse that I thought would make up into a Betfair Hurdle horse this year but a poor run at Cheltenham put pay to that. He has since returned off a break to win two races at Exeter which has put his career back on track. He now has to shoulder top weight here but I think he is a good bit better than 126 so I have to back him to go close here.
If the weight does tell then I hope PRETENDING can be there to pick up the pieces. After clearly not staying the 3 mile trip last time at Ludlow, Lucy Wadham has wasted no time dropping this mare back in trip and I think this stiff track will play to her strengths. She has shaped like she has wanted further in previous starts this term but the switch to this track might just be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
The 3.15 Mares Novices handicap hurdle is always a race I try to target and I have had a bit of success in the last few seasons. Party Vibes is a mare I have followed all season, whilst I have Lindy Reilly on my ‘well handicapped' list also. However, SMILING GETAWAY has impressed me a lot this season and I'm backing her to bounce back after a tame effort last time out. I think she is a lot better than that run at Sandown and I don't think she was suited to the way the race panned out that day so the 3rd place effort is easily forgiven. This is officially a drop in class but she is potentially giving weight away to some well handicapped mares which won't be easy. Her win under a penalty at Warwick gives me plenty of hope she has what it takes though.
The flat returns to the turf at Doncaster and it would be rude not to have a bash at the big one itself. AWAAL looks a solid bet at 6/1 as he bids to go one place better than last year. He would be one of the classier types in the race this time around. Further down the market I think Benoit De La Sayette is an interesting booking aboard FARHH TO SHY who has a fine record on straight courses like this. The soft ground shouldn't pose too many problems and I expect her to run well at a big price.
Newbury 2.10 – Spirits Bay / Pretending
Newbury 3.15 – Smiling Getaway
Doncaster 3.35 – Awaal / Farhh To Shy
