Rory Delargy

NEWBURY

1.30 WILLIAM HILL ‘HIGH 5’ SUPPORTING GREATWOOD SENIORS’ HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F 118Y

It’s somewhat bizarre to find an unexposed handicap debutant running in a race designed for veterans but that’s the case with Western Climate, who has won twice in points, but was having just his third race over hurdles when beating subsequent winner Gayeburyat Hereford last time. Before that he’d finished third to the exciting Finian’s Oscar at the same venue. Collateral form lines coming out of those races suggest Tom Weston’s runner is ahead of his opening mark and heavy rain on Friday is another big positive to his chances.

Justification is another who isn’t exposed despite his age and this regally-bred gelding broke his duck over timber at Sandown last month in similar conditions. He still looks on a workable mark despite a rise in the weights, and it’s notable that he holds entries at the Cheltenham Festival, for all he has no chance of making the cut even if winning here.

2.05 BETWAY SUPPORTING GREATWOOD VETERANS’ HANDICAP CHASE 3M 1F 214Y

A race run over the Hennessy course and distance and this would have represented a good renewal of that contest a couple of years ago. Best handicapped on old form is O’Faolains Boy, but he was bitterly disappointing at Ascot recently, and must show that the old fire is still burning. I’d prefer to back him ante-post for the Grand National at a massive price than at around 5/1 here, and preference is for Harry Topper for the in-form Kim Bailey.

A former winner of the Denman Chase here, he’s not been easy to train since, but stayed on dourly when just missing out on a place at Exeter last time.

The heavy ground will bring his bottomless stamina into play, and he makes plenty of appeal.

2.40 WILLIAM HILL ‘HIGH 5’ SUPPORTING GREATWOOD HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 69Y

There is a slight concern about very deep ground, but Chesterfield is very well handicapped on his hurdles form with John Ferguson (lower in the weights than when falling at Kempton on his final start for that yard, when in the process of beating subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Violet Dancer. He was absent for almost two years after that, but has shaped better than the result on both starts for Seamus Mullins in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot and in the Lanzarote back at Kempton in January.

On the latter occasion he travelled strongly until clearly running out of stamina on his first start beyond an extended two miles and he gives the impression that all his old ability remains intact. The drop back in trip is exactly what the doctor ordered, and the ground has been soft for his best efforts in this sphere, for all seemed to need quicker ground on the flat.

If this does turn into a slog, then topweight Melodic Rendezvous is worth a small saver given his best form has come in similar conditions (Grade 1 winner on heavy), and he ran as well as could be expected in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton two weeks ago. Bloody Mary is a winner on heavy ground, but this tiny mare won an egg and spoon event at Taunton, and looks like she will be better on a quick surface at this level, a comment which also applies to London Prize, who would have been my pick without the rain.

3.15 WILLIAM HILL ‘HIGH 5’ SUPPORTING GREATWOOD GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 3) 2M 3F 187Y

This represents his stiffest task to date but I’ve been impressed by the progress made by Oldgrangewood this term, and he can confirm recent Wetherby form with Dresden despite an 8lb turnaround at the weights. Dan Skelton’s son of Central Park could well be unbeaten over fences but for being brought down when travelling well at Aintree in December, and he’s posted improved efforts in victory since, with his latest win at Wetherby coming with something up his sleeve. He meets a similar test here and the only negative is that he may not get the contested pace which set the race up for him last time.

LINGFIELD

2.00 BETWAY SPRINT HANDICAP 5F 6Y

I don’t normally stray into all-weather territory, especially not at this lowly level, but I’ve waited what seems a lifetime for the speedy Deer Song to get an opportunity to race in a five-furlong handicap which he can dominate from the outset, and he finally gets that chance here. Many will be put off by his maiden status having had plenty of runs, but as I’ve said, he’s rarely had a chance to boss lesser rivals at this trip, and even a repetition of his latest third at this track would be enough to enable his belated breakthrough. I think he can build on that, however, and he might be the type to climb the ratings if successful here.

RECOMMENDED:

DEER SONG 2.00 Lingfield – 2pts win @ Betfair SP

WESTERN CLIMATE 1.30 Newbury – 2pts win @ Betfair SP

HARRY TOPPER 2.05Newbury – 1pt win @ 9/2 (general)

CHESTERFIELD 2.40 Newbury – 1pt win @ 8/1 (Bet365, BetVictor)