Ginger Joe - Betting Tips for Newbury – 20 December 2023

A strong card for Wednesday at Newbury

Christmas is nearly upon us, but we still have some really good racing to get into before the big event. Starting with Newbury on Wednesday, where there is a fantastic day of racing action cracking off.

Paul Nicholls will naturally be eyeing up Kempton on Boxing Day for his main stable stars, but he is running two very nice improvers tomorrow. I think they both deserve a close look and may potentially be worth playing as two singles and a double. You never know, we could even end up with some extra pocket money for the festive racing period!

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13:25 Newbury - Novice Handicap Chase - 2m 7½f – Brave Kingdom

This is a race I’ve been looking forward to for a while, as the two top weights here are rather smart looking types. Nicky Henderson runs Amrons Sage, who is a fair sort and entitled to improve but I don’t think he’ll be first past the post this time around.

One that’s definitely in with a chance though is Theatre Man, from the Richard Bandey yard.  He took to fences well at Newbury last time and was only four lengths behind Inch House, who went on to win a Class 2 next time out. I’ll be the first to say, that it’s going to take a good performance to get in front of Theatre Man beat here.

Nevertheless, there is one that I think can take him on, which is the Paul Nicholls-trained Brave Kingdom. I think this horse has the makings of a great Chaser. He jumped extremely well on debut at Plumpton and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s open to a stack of improvement. He has the same Sire as Bravemansgame and Brave Seasca, neither of whom need any introduction, and Brave Kingdom looks like he could be ready to follow in their footsteps.

He made all to win last time out and this step up in trip is sure to help his running style too. Theatre Man will take some stopping here but with Harry Cobden in the saddle, I think that Brave Kingdom could well take up the challenge.

14:35 Newbury - Novice Hurdle - 2m 4f – Fire Flyer

The Novice Hurdle is another race that has piqued my interest in terms of the potential superstars in the lineup. East India Express is a very nice-looking type from Nicky Henderson’s yard. He clearly has ability, but he did look very raw on debut and that worries me, as he’ll be up against several older and more experienced horses here.

Harry Fry has been very upbeat about his runner, Gidleigh Park, who is a beautiful gelding by Walk In The Park. He won his Bumper in good style and was very impressive when winning his maiden hurdle by seven lengths. That form has since been franked, when runner up Range went on to win next time out at Chepstow. Gidleigh Park is clearly a very smart horse and shouldn’t be underestimated here.

The one I am siding with though is Fire Flyer, another horse who comes from the Paul Nicholls yard. He won his Bumper debut last year, but never looked right at Newbury on his next start back in February. Connections have been patient with him since and he repaid them by running a blinder at Cheltenham last month, after nearly 300 days off and was strong all the way through the line.

I was there that day and he looks a very straightforward sort, so I fully expect him to take well to Hurdles. I’m sure that the Champion trainer will have him spot on for this run and there’s plenty of potential for his second start of the season to be another success story.

Betting tips for Wednesday at Newbury

• 13:25 - Brave Kingdom
• 14:35 - Fire Flyer

Treat yourself to some free bets ready for the Christmas racing

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