Nicky Henderson: “This looks an extremely good opportunity for him.”
NEWBURY
2:40
NOBLE PARK (Nico De Boinville)
He didn’t appear to stay three miles on very soft going last time so we’re dropping back down to a trip he’s won over before, and the ground here won’t be an issue.
He’s a very good jumper who schooled well earlier in the week and this looks an extremely good opportunity for him. I quite like his chance off a mark of 123.
3:15
MISTER COFFEY (Nico De Boinville)
I think dear old Coffey could write his own Unibet blog because he’s the only one who knows what he’s going do and there’s nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said!
Unfortunately, he is still a Maiden over fences but has produced some excellent efforts in defeat, including in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans Chase at Cheltenham in November, which I must admit wasn’t plan A but the Cross Country Chase was abandoned so he found himself there and ran a very good race over an inadequate trip.
He didn’t seem to enjoy himself in the Cross Country Chase last time so will hopefully be happier back over regulation fences and three and a quarter miles, around a track like Newbury with a long straight, will be ideal.
Wouldn’t it be great if he could he finally break his duck over the big ones? He certainly deserves to!
Nico de Boinville: “As everyone knows, he is on a long losing run now!”
2.40pm Newbury
He was very impressive in victory at Hereford and Lingfield, but he hasn’t backed up those performances on his last two starts. I suppose at least he has come down 2lb in the weights as a result and the step back down in trip on better ground should suit after his run over 3m at Doncaster last time.
3.15pm Newbury
He was obviously very disappointing at Cheltenham last time, which was puzzling as he always runs his race. Hopefully the re-application of cheekpieces can help here and a mark of 140 gives him a fair chance at a track which he has won at. But, as everyone knows, he is on a long losing run now!
4.58pm Newbury
I haven’t ridden her before but she has shown a level of form which will hopefully see her be competitive here. She could have bumped into a good horse at Huntingdon last time.
