Rory Delargy

NEWBURY SATURDAY

2:25 BETFAIR DENMAN CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 7F 86Y

Not really a betting heat, but a fascinating clash between a pair of Gold Cup-bound improvers, and the key to the race will be how aggressive either Richard Johnson or Daryl Jacob will want to be on horses who are best ridden in such a manner, but connections of both will be aware that serving up a full-blooded duel might bring the crowd to its feet, but could be disastrous in terms of their prospects at Cheltenham. Those with very long memories will recall a similar match between Silver Buck and Night Nurse at Haydock in 1979, which will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Unfortunately, it left both those champions unable to show their form at the Festival.

3:00 BETFAIR EXCHANGE CHASE (Game Spirit) (Grade 2) 2M 92Y

Another small field, but once again a race which could be hugely exciting if the principals show their form. Nicky Henderson won this with Sprinter Sacre when he was a novice, and Altior is clearly a horse of exceptional talent, but he meets an underrated rival in Fox Norton, who Colin Tizzard has described as exceptional in his schooling. Tizzard insists that fitness will be no concern despite the expensive purchase picking up a nasty injury when winning the Schloer Chase at Cheltenham in November. If the pair are together at the last then Altior’s turn of foot will be decisive, but Fox Norton’s jumping could give him an edge.

3:35 BETFAIR HURDLE (Grade 3) 2M 69Y

For a race with is always very competitive on paper, the Betfair is often dominated by those who race prominently, and this looks a tremendous opportunity for last year’s Champion Bumper winner Ballyandy to put it all together over hurdles. The selection has looked a bit short of tactical pace behind Moon Racer twice this term, but might have won a Grade 2 at Sandown but for some sloppy jumping. He’s entitled to do much better on that front, and gives the strong impression that he will improve markedly for more aggressive tactics, and with no confirmed front runner, he makes tremendous appeal.

It’s hard to work out how some of the others will be ridden, but Beltor is another who is handicapped to win a big pot, and would be interesting if taking a position in the front rank. Song Light was a big-priced selection when a fine third in the Greatwood, and remains of interest, but he’s more likely that the other pair to race behind the main pack, and that could be a big disadvantage unless the tempo is particularly strong.

WARWICK SATURDAY

2:40 BETWAY KINGMAKER NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 2) 2M 54Y

A few of these fluffed their lines at short odds last time, which gives the race an open look, and while Gino Trail is respected on his second to Buveur D’Air here, the vote goes to the less fashionable Overtown Express, who was fourth in a red-hot handicap at Ascot prior to scoring in the same grade here last month. Others may have kept more exalted company in the past, but Harry Fry’s gelding is unexposed for one his age, and looks the type who’s going to go on to better things over fences in time; that improvement may well come over a bit further than this trip, he’s capable of making a big impact at this level.

4:55 ROA/RACING POST OWNERS JACKPOT HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Full sticks out like a sore thumb in this workaday handicap, and it’s not beyond the bounds of reason that his shrewd connections could get him qualified for a race like the Martin Pipe, for all his mark is currently much too low to envisage qualification. He ran his best race when runner-up on his final start in France for Yannick Fouin, and with the winner going close at listed level next time, a mark of 117 looks extremely lenient. He has an absence to overcome, but it’s very unlikely that any failure will be down to rustiness.

EXETER SUNDAY

2:20 FREE BET AT 188BET NOVICES’ HURDLE (Listed) 2M 175Y

Finian’s Oscar looks a novice of exceptional talent, and will be a top-class chaser granted luck with injury and illness, so it should be worth tuning in to see him put the finishing touches to his Cheltenham preparations. None of his rivals should be able to lay a glove on him, for all that Taws was a talented flat performer. That rival lacks the scope to excel over hurdles in my view, and if there is a bet lurking, it could be backing Seven Nation Army to follow the favourite home. Alex Dunn’s grey is frustrating, but plenty talented enough, and the forecast should be rewarding.

2:50 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 7F 25Y

In the expected absence of Tobefair (first preference Newbury), this can go to the progressive Eamon An Chnoic, who had a couple of next-time-out winners in his immediate wake at Haydock last time, and remains on a workable mark, albeit not one which would see him get into the final of this series without the handicapper’s assistance. That isn’t the case with most of these, and David Pipe has won the Pertemps Final twice in the last decade, so knows exactly how to negotiate the unique contest.

3:20 188BET VETERANS’ HANDICAP CHASE 3M 54Y

A quality event, as so many of this type are, and it’s not hard to see why veterans’ races have exploded in popularity. It usually pays to side with the younger brigade, and while most of the field are 10-year-olds, few are as unexposed over fences as Kaki De La Pree. The selection ought to have won the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase a couple of years back and has been very lightly raced since. He fell when fancied for the Classic Chase at Warwick last month, but is usually a sound jumper, and should go close now dipping his toe into veteran waters for the first time.

3:50 188bet.co.uk GRADUATION CHASE 3M 54Y

With Alary needing to show that he’s acclimatised to British racing, this should go to Tea For Two, who may be flattered by his proximity to Thistlecrack in the King George, but he’s definitely not flattered by his finishing position having been one of only two who tried to throw down the gauntlet to the Gold Cup favourite. He was an impressive winner over course and distance as a novice, and looks to have outstanding claims.

RECOMMENDED

SATURDAY

BALLYANDY 3.30 Newbury - 2pts win @ 9/2 (general)

FULL 4.55 Warwick - 1pt win @ SP

SUNDAY

EAMON AN CHNOIC 2.50 Exeter - 1pt win @ SP

KAKI DE LA PREE 3.20 Exeter -1 pt win@ SP