Back to Newbury today for two more races. The going is again good to soft and a warm, sunny day is forecast.

2.35 Newbury

Fingal Bay figures on a lenient handicap mark if he can produce his best. He was a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2014 over hurdles. His participation at this year’s festival ended at half-way after a jumping error and being hampered. He has been disappointing and cheek-pieces plus a tongue-tie are fitted to-day to try and get his chasing career going.

Tour Des Champs carries a penalty for winning unchallenged at Plumpton, though Ryan Hatch’s allowance reduces that by 3lb.

Harry’s Farewell isn’t an easy ride but looks slightly overpriced and should figure.

My tissue:

Fingal Bay 4/1

Tour Des Champs  4/1

Harry’s Farewell 5/1*

Benvolio 7/1

10/1 bar

*Update: Now NR

3.05 Newbury

Thomas Crapper has been a disappointment this season, but returned to form on latest start. A reproduction of that form gives him every chance and first time cheek-pieces may help concentrate his mind.

Difficult to price with a couple of unknowns.

On my provisional tissue I make Thomas Crapper a 3/1 chance and go 5/1 bar.

A brief reminder regarding the Aintree Special membership.

From just £20 (£22.50 to include bets by text), you will get my work from today right through to the Sunday after the Grand National.

Highlights from a very profitable Aintree last year were:

Rajdhani Express WON 10/1
Saphir Du Rheu WON 7/4
Whisper WON 7.6

All were straight win bets and as you can see, we cater for the traditional and exchange backers.

There is plenty of detail on my website and you can secure your place now at: http://slh.co.uk/index.php/aintree-spec-2016

Haydock stage a seven race card this afternoon comprising of six wide open handicaps and a bumper. I am going to look at two races, both have that ‘Mission Impossible’ feel about them.

 2.00 Haydock Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Final (A Handicap Chase) (CLASS 2) (5yo+)

Raktiman is a 9yo that is still on the upgrade. Although raised 9lb for his impressive ten length win at Catterick in early February, he is still expected to figure.

The Cobbler Swayne is also of interest, having done well to win after being hampered on latest start at Ayr just over a fortnight ago.

I have the pair as 13/2 joint favourites on my provisional tissue. As the current prices for both are either on or below my assessment, there is no value at present.

3.10 Haydock Challenger Staying Chase Series Final (A Handicap Chase) (CLASS 2) (5yo+)

No Duffer enjoys a 7lb weight pull with Leo Luna who beat him on latest start at Warwick when the latter was weighted 1lb lower.  He can turn that form around this afternoon.

Has a tendency to jump right-handed, but hopefully Paddy Brennan can get him to the stand side rail in the straight and this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem.

10/1 favourite on my tissue, which only one firm currently matches.

The day has a bookmaker friendly look to it, so not a day for serious involvement.

Just the one race for us today. We go to Kempton where the going is good and a dry day forecast.

3.50 Kempton Park Silver Bowl (A Handicap Chase) (CLASS 2)

Orbasa is a very interesting runner. Finished alone when winning on only start since coming from France to become part of the Nichols yard.
Impressed with his jumping on that British debut run at Fontwell. After the race assistant trainer Tom Jonason said: “He jumped brilliantly and coming into the race we knew that he would come on a lot and he looked very well in the paddock, so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
The original plan was to send him to Cheltenham, but connections have decided to target the £25,000 first prize this afternoon.
All his three starts this season have been in softer ground than he will get today. Has winning form on good ground in France.
Guesswork involved, but I can make a case for him being well handicapped despite going up 5lb. 4/1 my provisional tissue, current prices range from 3/1 to 9/2.

We enjoyed a rewarding Cheltenham with profits every day. The meeting started for us with a 4/1 winner and closed with an each way place at 25/1. There was plenty more to enjoy in-between. My thanks again to everyone who helped raise money to support the stable staff.

The unrelenting advertising buzz and speculation preceding the Cheltenham Festival will soon be turned into reality with the drop of the starters flag on Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong, it is a superb meeting; it’s just getting too much like Christmas -the hype begins far too early.
But that aside; I would also like you to part with some money for the festival by supporting a worthwhile racing charity.
For many years I have raised donations for the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust (Registered charity No. 1049742). They build affordable homes for stable staff and their families in an area where house prices are far too high for anyone on a low to average wage to reasonably afford. This quote explains their unenviable position:
‘There are many reasons for a successful yard and one of the most important is the staff. They are not as richly rewarded as we would like and we are always likely to lose key trained lads and lasses when they have just married. Quite rightly they want a home of their own together, but cannot afford to rent anything suitable.’
Myself, Donn McClean, John Hunt and Micky Hammond have all contributed to producing a Cheltenham preview. Just £10 and the whole amount goes to the trust.
Online orders via:
Festival preview only: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/2016-cheltenham-festival-preview
Preview & Membership: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/chel-spec-2016

One race to look at this afternoon is a tight little handicap confined to horses 5yo and older.

2.20 Ayr Ortus Homes Handicap Chase (CLASS 3)

The ground at Ayr will be soft towards heavy with rain forecast in the morning and then drying conditions in the afternoon.

Monbeg River is a horse that was noted earlier in the season having won and finished second over to-days C&D. Both races in the space of five days in late October. Returning from a break, I expect him to continue his progression.

He takes on a couple of inform rivals in Ubaltique who won at Catterick recently and Nautical Twilight who still had every chance when falling at Newcastle just two weeks ago.

However the main danger could be the top weighted Indian Voyage, if he returns to form after a poor run at Wetherby.

My overnight tissue:

Monbeg River 5/2
Indian Voyage 4/1
Ubaltique 4/1
Nautical Twilight 5/1
10/1 bar.

Over the four days of the festival, you can keep in touch with me via Twitter and Facebook. But please give a thought to contributing to the good work of the housing trust. Bob Geldof moment over, best of luck with your bets.

Soft ground at all three remaining cards this afternoon. A fairly dry and cold day all round.
As I outlined yesterday, we have special memberships available from £25 for the Cheltenham Festival preview and membership. Proceeds to the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust (Registered Charity No. 1049742). The trust build affordable homes for stable staff and their families which helps keep these valuable workers in racing. We will donate a minimum of £25 from all memberships.

Steve,
Thank you very much for the excellent cheque which I have received from you. It will be a great help.
The Lambourn Valley Housing Trust continues to work hard for the welfare of the Stable Staff in the Lambourn Valley. Through generous donations and income from the annual Good Friday Lambourn Open Day, 18 houses have been built at Francome Fields on land it purchased and a further two more have been bought.
Best wishes,
Mark Smyly
Chairman, Lambourn Valley Housing Trust

For more details and to subscribe, please see: http://www.slh.co.uk/

Following the abandonment of Kelso, just the one race for us today.

3.10 Doncaster BetBright Mares´ Novices´ Hurdle (Listed Race) (CLASS 1)

Softer ground at Donny than was anticipated when entries were made.
Yes I Did sets the standard and conditions are fine as she goes for her fourth victory from five hurdle starts this season.
Hollies Pearl is of interest. Has top class bumper form. She has had problems with her jumping but that improved on latest start when blinkers and a tongue tie were fitted for the first time. That run was at Fakenham over 2 miles, which was much too sharp. Three miles at Donny could see an improvement.
My prices as follows:

Yes I Did 2/1
Briery Belle 4/1
Hollies Pearl 4/1
The Organist 4/1
20/1 bar

Please give serious consideration to the special memberships. My thanks to Donn McClean, Micky Hammond, John Hunt, Paul O’Hara and all the Lambourn trainers for freely providing their services.