There’s another bumper jackpot available to win on Saturday 28th December in the ITV7 and the competition includes two fascinating Grade 1 contests in the shape of the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury and Savills Chase at Leopardstown. Here at GG we attempt to point you in the right direction of a few winners and pick out our selection for each of the seven races.
Race 1 – 1.45pm Newbury
Nicky Henderson’s GO TO WAR failed to land the hat-trick last time out at Huntingdon, but the Seven Barrows inmate can bounce back to form on Saturday and land victory in the 1:45pm at Newbury. Stepping up to two-and-a-half miles for the first time, the six-year-old is 1lb higher than his last mark, so he will need a career best to score off 124, but he looks more than capable of delivering the goods and getting the better of the likes of Mr Hope Street and Mr Bramley.
Race 2 – 2.00pm Leopardstown
There’s Grade 1 action at 2:00pm at Leopardstown in the Savills Hurdle and it’s the Joseph O’Brien-trained HOME BY THE LEE that can outclass his rivals in this event. An impressive three-and-a-half length winner of the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan last time out, the nine-year-old easily got the better of Bob Olinger in that event and the pair meet again here and it’s hard to see past him not franking that form.
Race 3 – 2.20pm Newbury
Fresh from Grade 1 glory at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Ben Pauling and Ben Jones can team up for more success and claim victory in the Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury at 2:20pm with HENRY’S FRIEND. The seven-year-old was last seen putting in a huge career best when finishing fifth in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase and having been eased 1lb by the handicapper he can make the most of a mark of 138. Another cracking betting heat Hoe Joly Smoke and Surrey Quest are big dangers, but the Pauling bandwagon can roll on with victory here.
Race 4 – 2.35pm Leopardstown
Fresh from a fine victory in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, Fact To File will attempt to cement his place at the head of the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting, but he may have to settle for the silver medal behind stablemate GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, who can retain this Grade 1 crown. The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was always going to find the John Durkan trip a little short and it’s over three miles that he really sparkles. He will need to improve on that Punchestown run, but he’s the proven elite performer in the division and he can propel back to the head of the Gold Cup betting with victory here.
Race 5 – 2.55pm Newbury
We have a fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle at 2:55pm and it could turn into a cracking match between The New Lion and REGENT’S STROLL. The latter is the selection for Paul Nicholls as he was mightily impressive on his hurdling debut at Newbury last time out and he could turn into a real top class performer. He made a glaring mistake in the closing stages of that event, but duly recovered in a manner that suggested he’s an elite animal. This is much tougher, but he can claim victory in this event before cementing his place as one of the leading novice hurdlers.
Race 6 – 3.10pm Leicester
Unable to land any sort of blow at Sandown Park last time out, INVINCIBLE LAO can strip significantly fitter for that effort and with a 2lbs drop in the handicap sure to aid his chance then he has to be a leading player for the 3:10pm at Leicester. Gary & Josh Moore’s will find this event a little easier as well and while he’s significantly higher than his last mark he’s sure to improve on that Sandown run and can claim victory.
Race 7 – 3.35pm Newbury
He may have only two rivals to beat at Doncaster on his last outing, but the manner in which ROCK MY WAY claimed glory suggested he could be more than capable of carrying top weight to victory in the final race of the ITV7 at 3:35pm at Newbury. He’s only gone up 3lbs in the handicap and he could be more than capable of delivering the goods off 134 and he can claim the prize for Anthony Charlton.
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