Anne Marie Duff

THE first big chasing handicap of the year takes place at Newbury with Smad Place bidding to repeat last year’s success. He has top-weight, 8lb more than last year when he beat Theatre Guide by 12 lengths, but his comeback run at Aintree looked as good as ever. His bold jumping is sure to be an asset and he can make a bold bid for a repeat even off a 166 rating. Those near the top of the weights have a good record in the race.

He has to contend with a whole host of promising second-season chasers including RSA Chase star Blaklion, fellow Cheltenham Festival winner Un Temps Pour Tout and Aintree scorer Native River.

Native River is favourite to continue a tremendous season for Colin Tizzard. He was outstayed at Cheltenham in the four-miler before winning Aintree’s Grade 1 novice with Un Temps Pout Toi in fourth. He warmed up in a Wetherby novice hurdle, but he is short enough in a competitive field.

Triolo D’Alene is a previous winner and showed the ability was still there when running out a wide-margin winner of a three-runner race at Kempton in January but was well beaten in the Grand National when last seen. He could run well again at big odds. Carole’s Destrier goes well fresh and stays further, so if they go off fast it could play into the hands of his style and the same applies to Theatre Guide.

Paul Nicholls’ Saphir Du Rheu was well-fancied last year, going off favourite despite carrying 11st 10lb. He carries 10st 13lb today and although his overall profile is disappointing, his run at Ascot last time looked very much a confidence building mission and he stayed on to be third to Antony. Best priced at 9/1, he is worth supporting.

NEWCASTLE

The Fighting Fifth looks a fascinating match between the four-year-olds Sceau Royal and Apple’s Jade. Petit Mouchoir and Hidden Cyclone are also sent across to contest the Grade 2.

Apple’s Jade produced one of the most visually impressive performances of last season when winning by 41 lengths at Aintree and she comfortably followed-up at Punchestown.

But the former Willie Mullins inmate suffered a short-priced reverse on her debut for Gordon Elliott in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal.

Petit Mouchoir represents last year’s winning trainer Henry de Bromhead. The five-year-old was a shade under two lengths behind Apple’s Jade at Down Royal. Sceau Royal has been hugely impressive in his two outings this season at Cheltenham and Wincanton and could have too much speed for the filly.

RECOMMENDED

SAPHIR DU RHEU 3.10 Newbury 9/1

SCEAU ROYAL 2.55 Newcastle 9/4