ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 8th February from Newbury and Warwick

1:50 Newbury

The first race from Newbury on ITV is a handicap hurdle for the stayers over the 3m trip.

I’d be happy to go with KRUGER PARK (8/1) EW here for Paul Nicholls. He sneaks into this near the bottom of the weights with Freddie Gingell taken off a further 3lb. There was plenty of encouragement from his third-placed effort at Uttoxeter back in December. He was keen there and if he settles better today, he looks sure to go well. I think his mark of 119 is lenient and he now returns to Newbury where he’s previously won. 

 

2:05 Warwick 

We head to Warwick next, the 2:05 is the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices Chase over 2m.

It’s hard to say L’EAU DU SUD (2/7) won’t be winning this. He’s excelled over fences this season which culminated in a Grade 1 victory at Sandown last time out. That runner-up has since boosted the form with another fine effort and this lad looks the best novice chaser in England bar Sir Gino. You’d be disappointed if he doesn’t win this.

 

2:25 Newbury 

The 2:25 from Newbury is the Denman Chase, a Grade 2 contest ran over just shy of 3 miles.

The one for me is DJELO (4/1). He’s still improving and he’s unexposed over staying trips. He was an emphatic winner of the Peterborough Chase two starts back and although slightly disappointing last-time out chasing home Protektorat, I think he can resume improvement back on a track he has previously excelled at. The favourite Bravemansgame has to be taken on given his recent form, the addition of a tongue-tie and his age.

 

2:40 Warwick 

It’s back to Warwick for the 2:40, a listed mares hurdle over 2m5f.

The best mare in this line-up is GALA MARCEAU (5/4) NB. Last seen chasing home Lossiemouth last May, if she is ready to go after the break, she’ll take a lot of beating here. Trust Willie Mullins to have her ready before bigger Spring targets await.

 

3:00 Newbury

The 3:00 is the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase over an extended 2 miles.

I think LIBBERTY HUNTER (7/2) is the most unexposed left in this race despite being aged 9. He was an impressive winner on seasonal debut at Cheltenham in a December and he looks upto this class. Trainer Evan Williams is having a good spell and he rates this horse highly. Adam Wedge will take his time with him and the decent gallop that Mateta will set looks sure to suit his style well.

 

3.15 Warwick 

The final race live from Warwick is a Veteran Handicap Chase over the 2m4f distance.

I think LE MILOS (7/2) will take a bit of beating here as he enters Veteran company for the first time. Third last time out when chasing home the unexposed Lowry’s Bar, that was a decent effort and I think against the elders, he can return to winning ways. I’d hope Skelton goes from the front and tries to make it a real test as he’s proven over further.

 

3:35 Newbury

The final race comes up at 3:35 and it’s a competitive handicap hurdle over the extended 2 mile trip.

The one for me is JOYEUSE (5/1) NAP. Half-sister to top Champion Hurdler Epatante, I think she will relish this test. 2 miles around Newbury with a decent gallop to aim at looks perfect for her. On just her fourth career start last-time out, she was pitched into a deep handicap at Cheltenham and finished second doing her best work late on. They went slow that day which wouldn’t have suited but she would have learnt a lot from that type of race. A mark of 123 is definitely workable.

 

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