Dave Orton is in the Sky Sports Racing studio for the long distance hurdles day at Newbury and here he nominates five runners to note.
REGENTS STROLL
12.15 – Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” Free “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Grad 3) 2m ½ f.
The opening rookie barrier has been succeeded by Nicky Henderson over the past decade, with the likes of Jonbon and Buveur D’Air among the Seven Barrows winners. to drop out, but instead all eyes will be on Paul Nicholls’ unbeaten Regents Stroll.
Nicholls ended a string of sleepless nights when he rallied his powerful stakeholders to ensure the five-year-old returned to Ditcheat as part of former owner Chris Giles’ dispersal sale at the Goffs Summer Sale in July.
Watch every race of the Coral Gold Cup meeting live from Newbury on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November.
With a new price around his neck of £660,000, Regents Stroll has a lot to live up to this term.However, based on last season’s bumper form, which included a penalty win over course and distance, he should make new connections for a winning start.
MISS ALTEA BLUE
1.20 – Stakes in the Race Coral Fillies Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) (Grad 1) (3YO only) 2m ½f
Although still a maiden after four outings, this former Frenchwoman looks set to claim a winning start for her powerful new stable.
A closer look at his two near misses at Auteuil shows he should be well up to this standard, his most recent second there in September, coming back from a 105-day break, was strongly touted after a third this month. took back 2nd grade.
Trainer Paul Nicholls wouldn’t send him straight to Listed company for his British debut unless he liked what he’s seen at home so far, and it’s a soft enough juvenile contest for the class.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
1.55 – Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m 4f
Having bounced back from an embarrassing walk on his intended season debut at Exeter earlier this month, Captain Teague appears to have found a decent place to start life as a chaser with success.
The race is essentially a repeat of last season’s Grade 1 Challow Hurdle on the course, when he again opposed Jukebox Man, Jonny and Masaccio at the back.It was true that he failed to confirm that form with Albert Bartlett’s top two next even at the Cheltenham Festival, but the links worked on his wind during the summer and he certainly had to jump the fences.
The former Irish points winner won’t mind the way the ground rides and a straightforward round should see him add to a busy day for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Galop De Chasse is another of David’s picks
HUNTING GALLOP
2.30 – Coral ‘Daily Rewards Shaker’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m 4f
Venetia Williams’ team is on a real high after last weekend’s high-profile success and Gallop Des Chass can hold the ball, taking out the Grade 2 0-150 handicap chase.
It doesn’t look like the most competitive affair for the class, with five of his rivals failing to finish the last leg, and although he is now 10lb higher than he was on his debut at Newbury this month last year, there is no doubt that the eight-year-old is capable of going higher this season. to occupy ranks.
He ran into one on his return at Wetherby in October, finishing a clear second best, and it’s fair to say the stable hasn’t made the top gear yet.Fully entitled to go out on that ride, this surface should be ideal and he has a great one Charlie Deutsch in the saddle.
MADAKAT:
3.40 – Coral ‘Pipped-At-The-Post’ and Win Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 3m
Few stables can now claim to be better than Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and the Somerset outfit will rightly hope to make the finals with the progressive Madekett.
It appears to have been a case of going to the well once too often as the six-year-old ran out of gas when he took to the course and distance in March last season. He’s been around Wincanton in the past, looking exactly the way the yard has stood out in the past, and provided he’s had a good summer, bigger things should indeed be in store for him this winter.
He is versatile when it comes to footy conditions and it’s worth remembering that he made his debut last year, so there’s a lot to like.
Watch every race of the Coral Gold Cup meeting live from Newbury on Sky Sports Racing on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November.
