Rory Delargy

DONCASTER SATURDAY

2.20 betdaq.com - SERIOUS ABOUT HORSES CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP CHASE (3M 6Y)

Trainer Peter Maddison worked wonders with a homebred gelding called Lothian Falcon a few years ago (made the frame in the Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup), and he’s got another progressive chaser on his hands with Sgt Bull Berry, a winner three times this season already. The son of Alflora showed little in his early starts, but this rangy homebred has always needed time - his dam was eight years old before she set foot on a racecourse, but went on to win twice from a handful of starts in hunter chases as well as in point to points.

Sgt Bull Berry is still rather unfurnished, and it’s no surprise he’s taken an age to find his feet, while his inconsistent profile is that of a horse who is still at a developmental stage. He bounced back from a poor effort at Wetherby when scoring at Southwell on his most recent outing, and while that was a very uncompetitive event, he’s been given a real chance by the handicapper, and is only seven pounds higher in the weights than for the first of his wins. It’s worth noting two further points regarding his chances here – one is that he won at Southwell despite his girth having slipped back markedly towards his loins, while he’s got an entry at the same track on Tuesday, for which he’d be unpenalised.

NEWBURY SATURDAY

12.45 bet365.com NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (2M 92Y)

Emma Lavelle has a fine record when switching her horses from hurdles to fences, with the likes of Andy Kelly successful in handicaps on their respective chase debuts, and in Javert she has a very promising recruit to the larger obstacles. Once-raced in points, he gained a mark with a trio of outings over timber, but he looked a totally different proposition when making just about all on his return at Chepstow, jumping well on his first start over fences, and showing his mark to be a very lenient one. He is bred for further than two miles, but is quite a free-goer, and may be best kept to this sort of trip for the time being. As at Chepstow, he will wear a hood and be partnered by Sean Bowen.

This is clearly a deeper race than the one he won at the beginning of the month, and of his rivals, I respect the chances of Wadswick Court more than most. Neil Mulholland has just a modest strike rate in recent weeks, but his horses give the distinct impression that they are about to hit form, and the young trainer is clearly adopting a patient approach to the season which makes him a handler to follow in the longer term. Beaten by Calipto on his chase bow at Fontwell, Wadswick Court impressed with his jumping, and gave the distinct impression he would find the greater improvement of the pair. He may well be overlooked in the market, and merits a saver. Arzal is also respected, but the oddsmakers have cottoned on to his excellent trainer, and it’s doubtful that any value will be offered on him here.

1.15 SIR PETER O’SULLEVAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (2M 6F 93Y)

I’ll be watching this race with particular interest as my Welsh National fancy Midnight Prayer makes his first appearance since running in last year’s Hennessy, and while he will surely find the trip too short, he will find a run around Newbury putting him spot on for Chepstow’s festive feature. Of more interest as far as this prize goes, however, is Si C’etait Vrai, who makes his debut for Neil Mulholland having shown very useful form as a novice for the late Dessie Hughes. The Robin Des Champs gelding remains lightly-raced for his age, and has a workable mark starting out for his new yard. A wide-margin winner at Fairyhouse when last seen, he would have been a leading contender for the National Hunt Chase won by Midnight Prayer, and has reportedly been pleasing in his preparation for this. Mulholland’s horses often improve for a run or two, but I’d be surprised if Si C’etait Vrai isn’t pretty straight given where he’s starting out.

There are plenty of dangers, notably the hat-trick seeking Aloomomo and Cheltenham disappointment La Vaticane, who is surely better than her finishing position suggested at the Open Meeting. Abracadabra Sivola is another who is worth a second look, with his defeat at the hands of Native River at Exeter looking much better after the winner landed a Grade 2 novice here on Thursday.

3.00 HENNESSY GOLD CUP CHASE (3M 1F 214Y)

While it’s clearly a pity that Coneygree has been unable to take up his entry, the Hennessy is still a top-quality affair which may yet feature a Gold Cup winner. The horse who carries the most expectation is Saphir Du Rheu, who was favourite to beat Coneygree on both occasions the pair met over fences last term, only for the Nicholls runner to fall foul of the fences. That suggests that Andy Stewart’s grey is a clumsy sort, much like Big Buck’s, who unseated Sam Thomas in this race before being returned to hurdles with tremendous effect. There is clearly a parallel between the pair, with Saphir Du Rheu taking the World Hurdle route in the spring and running a huge race to finish second. Unlike Big Buck’s, however, he is every inch the chaser on looks and approach, and he was foot-perfect in dispatching The Young Master when the pair reappeared over fences at Carlisle. He’s a hugely exciting young chaser, and his trainer’s decision to miss the RSA with him was a prescient one. He’s now forced to carry top weight, but fully deserves that impost, and is not opposed lightly.

On the other hand, this is a race which begs for an each-way involvement, and with questions over many of these, I’ll be having a win and place interest in Ned Stark, who may appear his stable’s neglected, but who has plenty going for him. A second-season chaser who landed the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase last season, he caught the eye on his return at Ascot, and will be better suited by track and trip here. Alan King brought two strong fancies to the race a year ago, including Smad Place, but admitted in retrospect that it was an error to come to Newbury without a prep race. He’s heeded his own counsel this time around, and Smad Place again has a solid chance having made all the running at Kempton a few weeks ago. He’s respected, but is well found in the market now, and 12/1 and bigger about course winner Ned Stark is more appealing.

RECOMMENDED

SGT BULL BERRY 12.20 Doncaster – 1pt win

JAVERT 1.45 Newbury – 1pt win

WADSWICK COURT 1.45 Newbury – 1pt win

NED STARK 3.00 Newbury – 1pt e/w