We start in the handicap hurdle at 13:50. It was a race won last year by At Fishers Cross (more on him later) and this time around the same connections have The Bear Trap lined up. He may not be set for as lofty reaches as his stablemate, but The Bear Trap almost certainly has more ability than a BHA mark of 123 gives him credit for. The key to him could be striking while the iron is hot, as last season he regressed having at one point looked set for graded novices. He returned in a conditionals race at Sandown earlier this month, shaping quite well in third considering he is entitled to come on for the run. Now with cheekpieces applied and Noel Fehily in the saddle, it looks as though connections are doing everything in their power to get The Bear Trap right for this. Take heed.
Given how close the runners (or four of the five, at any rate) are matched on Timeform ratings in the Long Distance Hurdle (14:25), you'd be surprised to see any one of them a shade of odds on, let alone tipped at such a price. That, however, is what we're recommending. As promised we're returning to At Fishers Cross, who may be behind some of his rivals on form shown but is destined to outstrip them by a clear margin, something alluded to by the 'p' he retains on his rating. He essentially swept all before him as a novice, even beating The New One, and it's fancied that he'll be the main British-trained challenger to the returning Big Buck's in the staying division this year. If that's to transpire he'll have to win this, and win it handsomely.
Finally, we come to the day's big race, the Hennessy Gold Cup at 15:00. If pressed for a winner, Timeform's line is Hadrian's Approach; if you're asking for a SmartPlay, an each-way bet on our next best, Merry King, is advised. He is still unexposed as a chaser, running only once in maiden company before being pitched into handicaps, since when he's won once and finished second on three occasions from five tries. His most recent placing, when runner-up to Houblon des Obeaux at Ascot, showed that Merry King is still improving. He'd have proved it more emphatically too, but for the winner grabbing first run on him. All told, Merry King is still on a good mark raised just 3 lb for his effort that day. There's a chance that won't be quite enough to win an especially-competitive renewal of the Hennessy, but it should at least see this dependable handicapper make the frame.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Newbury
Back The Bear Trap in the 13:50
Back At Fishers Cross in the 14:25
Back Merry King win and place in the 15:00
Have you checked out our new, improved Facebook page? It's the place to go for our features & tips!
