Key Points
- Betting tips for the two Grade 2 races at Newbury
- Race fitness is key in the Grade 2 Coral Novices’ Chase
- Langer Dan vs Strong Leader in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle
Graded racing at Newbury on Friday
We are heading to Newbury on Friday for two Graded races. The first is the Coral Novices’ Chase, where there are some seriously smart horses in the lineup. While most have plenty of potential, on this occasion I think it’s race fitness that’s the key to picking a winner. The pecking order may well change as the season goes on, but for the moment, fitness is the priority as far as I’m concerned .
In the Long Distance Hurdle we have a clash between Langer Dan and Strong Leader, with little to choose between them in the market. Based on overall ability they should be close at the finish, but neither has had a run so far this season. And it’s that last point that was the deciding factor for me - there is one runner that I fully expect to be race-ready, but for the other, I’m not so sure.
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13:55 - Coral Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f - Johnnywho
We have some really classy horses in the field for this renewal of the Grade 2 Coral Novices’ Chase. The Jukebox Man makes his Chase debut after finishing second in two Grade 1s: The Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and the Sefton at Aintree. He was the highest-rated Hurdler out of this bunch, but he looks like a horse built for fences. I have no doubt that he will become a decent Chaser too, but he doesn’t have race fitness on his side here.
Captain Teague won the Challow Hurdle last season, and is another that could improve again over the bigger obstacles. However, I have a niggling doubt that we won’t see him to best effect in any race that’s under three miles. His only outing this season was at Exeter, which ended up as a walkover, so he also needs to prove he is fully race fit too. Meanwhile, I cannot help but feel Boombawn is being overlooked at a double-figure price and he could be worth a small each way punt.
For me,
Johnnywho
is the most appealing runner in this field.
He was decent as a Hurdler, but his Chase debut was really something spectacular to watch. He jumped like a natural, travelled like a much more experienced horse, and clearly has plenty of speed too. Johnnywho comes here with race fitness on his side, and the Jonjo O’Neill team seem completely rejuvenated this season. I think they will soon be celebrating another success and Johnnywho gets my vote.
15:05 - Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m - Strong Leader (NAP)
There may only be four runners contesting the Long Distance Hurdle, but there’s certain to be a cracking battle happening up front. The Pertemps Handicap winner Monmiral is here, and appears a little underestimated by the market. He isn’t a world beater, but he has already had a run this season, and I think he will have come on for it. In fact, that slight fitness edge could potentially see him getting competitive here.
Dan Skelton’s Langer Dan is also rather interesting. He won the Coral Cup earlier this year, then went on to run really well in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company, being beaten on both occasions by the mighty Impaire Et Passe. His seasonal target is clearly the Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and connections will certainly have that in mind, so he should come here fit and ready to do battle.
However, I believe that
Strong Leader
is the one to beat in this race. He is a very smart type, who has progressed nicely during his racing career and is now in the prime of his life.
His biggest achievement came in April this year, when he won the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, beating some smart Stayers like Flooring Porter, Buddy One and Hewick. Trainer Olly Murphy has stated clearly that Strong Leader is ready to go first time out, he has the best form in this field, and I’m convinced he has the beating of this bunch
Betting tips for Newbury on Friday👇
- 13:55 - Johnnywho
- 15:05 - Strong Leader (NAP)
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