Rory Delargy

NEWBURY SATURDAY

1.15 BETFRED ‘RACING’S BIGGEST SUPPORTER’ NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE 2M 92Y

Chirico Vallis is not as reliable as his form figures would suggest, falling either side of wins in uncompetitive events at Southwell and Bangor. He ran out once over hurdles, so isn’t one to go overboard about at likely odds. Two of the others are starting out for new yards, with Saint Calvados of obvious interest having shown plenty of ability as a juvenile hurdler for Sébastien Culin before switching to Harry Whittington. Whittington has a habit of introducing his best chasing prospects at Newbury, so the topweight deserves respect, but the vote goes to old friend Remiluc, who is better than ever over hurdles at present, but has a chance of running off a much lower mark in this sphere.

It can be argued that Remiluc is not as good over fences, but he’s had only a couple of tries, and looked to have a decent future when third on debut at this track. His subsequent run at Kempton can be ignored as he simply cannot operate right-handed, as he showed subsequently at Taunton over hurdles.

Those chase runs came on good ground, and Chris Gordon’s gelding is a more potent force in the mud so he can be expected to get closer to his hurdles form now and that makes him look very well treated.

1.50 BETFRED WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F 118Y

Diable De Sivola looks capable of winning of his current mark as two highly promising runs this season show. Second to Triumph Hurdle winner Defi Du Seuil in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last November, he was just done for tactical speed when a strong-finishing fifth in the Fred Winter. Since a summer break, he has been stepped up in trip, finishing ahead of Remiluc when chasing home Dashing Oscar at Fontwell and then kept to the unfavoured inside of the track at Cheltenham’s November meeting when such tactics were proven to be disadvantageous. He’s clearly ahead of his mark, stays well and handles testing ground, so ought to go very well, and would be favourite in my book, especially since market leader Huntsman Son is unproven in the prevailing conditions.

2.25 BETFRED MANDARIN HANDICAP CHASE 3M 1F 214Y

It’s fair to say that the Mandarin is not the race it was, but it has a prestigious roll of honour with past winners including greats like Mill House and Night Nurse and Gold Cup winners What A Myth and Master Smudge also taking the race. As a lesser-class handicap these days, it won’t be throwing up anything of that calibre but is at least competitive, and that is no little mercy in a day of short fields.

Potters Legend isn’t an obvious one at first glance here, but he tends to keep better company than this, and was far from disgraced in the Ladbrokes Trophy over course and distance last month, finishing seventh behind Total Recall, but going enthusiastically and leading approaching the fourth last before his exertions began to tell. He will appreciate the drop in grade here and he should be less free with the blinkers retained.

Daklondike is the most intriguing runner in the race, but the bare form of his easy win at Wincanton last time is riddled with holes, and too many of David Pipe’s horses are running poorly to be backing any of them at skinny odds.

3.00 BETFRED CHALLOW NOVICES’ HURDLE (GRADE 1) 2M 4F 118Y

The step-up in trip could be the making of the bonny Dame Rose and she has already shown an affinity for this track so is taken to get the better of her male rivals in receipt of weight.

Ridden aggressively when third to Cap Soleil here in November, she put up a hugely improved effort to beat that rival by nine lengths here earlier this month, doing a little less in front and jumping superbly having rather ballooned her hurdles on that earlier visit.

She has been campaigned at two miles so far, but looks more about stamina than spped, and should improve again now stretching out.

Kilbricken Storm is favourite after scoring in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham recently, but it’s hard to nail that form down, with runner-up Count Meribel seemingly in control until collared late and the winner didn’t entirely convince with the way he hung across the track after the final flight.

Poetic Rhythm has the benefit of a full season over hurdles under his belt, and that has enabled him to post improved efforts this season, but he was put in his place in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time. While that was still a solid effort, he seems to have reached his potential.

HAYDOCK SATURDAY

1.35 RACING UK ON THE GO HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 6F 177Y

Dandy Duke faces stiffer competition than when bringing up his hat-trick in an amateur event at Southwell last time, but he was deeply impressive in beating his sole serious opponent despite conceding first run, and he appears to be progressing more quickly than the handicapper can react. He found himself poorly positioned after some scrimmaging at Southwell, so deserves plenty of credit for getting to grips with the enterprisingly ridden runner-up, and the bottomless ground at Haydock will hold no fears. Thomas Patrick is another on an upward curve, and his latest second has been franked since, so he deserves respect. He is unlikely to get loose on the lead this time, however, and may end up merely setting things up for the selection.

2.10 LAST FLING HANDICAP CHASE 3M 3F 57Y

Jennys Surprise was held back by mistakes at Wincanton last time, but had bounced back to form when winning under Alain Cawley at Uttoxeter before that, and these fences should place less pressure on her jumping. She also wears cheekpieces for the first time, to aid her concentration. Her stamina is sure to come into play given the conditions and the likelihood of a strong pace courtesy of the likes of Whiskey Chaser and Streets Of Promise.

RECOMMENDED

DIABLE DE SIVOLA 1.50 Newbury – 2pts win @ 5/1 (Paddy Power, BetVictor)

POTTERS LEGEND 2.25 Newbury – 1pt wn @ 8/1 (William Hill)

DAME ROSE 3.00 Newbury – 1pt win @ 3/1 (Paddy Power, BetVictor)

Winner

Rory’s tips last week included winner Buveur D’Air at 2/11 favourite and Tea For Two third at 20/1 each-way.