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Newbury Hurdle entries.

T

The Fortune Teller

Journeyman
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Messages
8,157
Good handicap this.

Don't give me all that 'it's a shite renewal' stuff just yet please. 😂

Entries are out.

3:35 Newbury | Standard Racecard | 8 February 2025 | Racing Post

William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Gbb Race), 8th February 2025. 3:35 at Newbury, standard racecard from Racing Post.
www.racingpost.com www.racingpost.com

Early thoughts, I'm interested in the one right at the top alphabetically, Alnilam, and Mirabad who blew them away last time at Cheltenham. I think they've both got good profiles and are on upward curves.
 
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It’s the two Bs - Burdett Road beats Brentford Hope by a nose, the rest nowhere.
 
Burdett Road carries 8lb more than if he hadn't run in the Christmas Hurdle, which was frankly as bad a bit of placing as you'll ever see, after a good bit of placing to run in the Greatwood first time out.
 
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Certainly not intended as such, Danny.

Just surprised that it's the case since they have sent over some strongly fancied ones recently. They must be focusing on the County.

Or is it that they've heard JP owns the winner?
 
"There hasn't been a decent Schweppes since Hill House and Rosyth" - said no one ever?

I'm appalled at James Owen running Burdett Road at Kempton, BUT there is a parallel.

Ra Nova was third to Dawn Run and Gaye Brief in 1983 and won at Newbury.

Even off 150, Burdett Road should run well.

Won't be my main bet, though - I reckon there's one in there having a Ryan Price-esque preparation.

Available upon DM request to those I haven't yet put on ignore (that'll be about three of you, then 😂).
 
Err, neither of them has ever won it, have they?

I'm as big a fan of backing Irish-trained horses as anyone, but I don't think they've won the race since Spirit Leader (Jessica Harrington) in 2003?

Btw, I've got a feeling it's not called the Betfair Hurdle any more?
 
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Dysart Enos still holds an entry (official?) in the Champion Hurdle so, off 135, is surely thought well handicapped.
 
Ian_Davies said:
Err, neither of them has ever won it, have they?

I'm as big a fan of backing Irish-trained horses as anyone, but I don't think they've won the race since Spirit Leader (Jessica Harrington) in 2003?
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That's a strange one when you think how valuable it is. Have they ever really entered many in it over the last decade or so ? You'd have to think they've got horses well enough handicapped to come and win it wouldn't you ?
 
Absolutely - I read your post, thought: "Well Mullins's effort last year in the last was forgettable, I'll look into this further," but even I was surprised it was quite such a drought, especially considering the way Ireland has farmed British races in recent years.
 
Drought, yes, but Bleu Et Rouge and Ciel De Neige were good runners-up as was Emmet Mullins's Filey Bay two years ago so they've been sending them over with big chances.
 
First English horse home in the Supreme ( not saying much ). I've a feeling Favour + Fortune may come on a bundle from his seasonal debut. His effort giving weight to Fun Fun Fun was a good effort. He'd be a early tentative pick.
 
Robicheaux said:
I've a feeling Favour + Fortune may come on a bundle from his seasonal debut. His effort giving weight to Fun Fun Fun was a good effort. He'd be a early tentative pick.
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My instinctive first thoughts, too. Bit of a worry that in an early season stable tour AK said he'd taken a knock and might not be back till second half of the season. But surely Alan wouldn't have risked it to go back too early for the Dec race, and the Greatwood was the original target, so Newbury is a logical target now.

Won at Ayr on (reported) soft, but could be a lot better on good ground which could well be prevalent at Newbury in Feb. Looking at the Ayr race again, it doesn't look that soft on the video. I have a fear he'd get done by something in a big field and likely pace on proper winter ground.

Another concern, at least in my head, he's a Soldier Of Fortune. Whispering longer distances to me, maybe if he bombs out in Feb it'll pay to watch for an up in distance run, maybe the Coral Cup. The fact he's been winning over 2 miles potentially marks him out as exceedingly solid.

I'll be there, annual visit, seeking favour and fortune. L'eau Du Sud was painful last year.
 
Nicky won this for JP with MTOY and Iberico Lord.....2m or 2m4f makes very little difference to Impose Toi who will appreciate the Newbury track.Joyeuse is currently joint fav but may lack the experience for this and I don't believe they've had this in mind for him.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Just had a chance to check this one through.

An excellent spot, Euro, and a must for any short list.
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Yes, I just watched the last race back, which I remember well, as I was keeping an eye on the eventual fourth, To Chase A Dream that day.

I'm hoping to see To Chase A Dream over a bit further somewhere next time out. Not the Martin Pipe, as the way he jumped, I don't think he liked Cheltenham that much. There's a valuable race at Kelso, the Morebattle I think it's called, I could see him going there.

I still think the winner Mirabad would have some sort of chance at Newbury. It was some performance given how keen he was early on.

Obviously Bo Zenith was giving him lumps of weight though. Staying on stoutly from a different parish. Maybe that race could prove of value going forward. So from a handicapping point of view, DO, I'm assuming you'd fancy Bo Zenith to reverse the form with Mirabad next time out?

Alnilam still interests me aswell. He finished in front of Mirabad at Ascot, which reads well now, when second to the 2023 winner of this actual race, Aucunrisque.

He then went and won at Southwell after a wind operation. They say horses improve a lot for their second start after a wind operation too!

I could see myself backing two or even three for this race. If the prices are right.

I think maybe Bo Zenith win only and Alnilam each way could be the way to go for me.

I just suspect Mirabad might not see be able to see it through at Newbury.

I wouldn't put anyone off Golden Ace. She's obviously got a bit of class.
 
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