Paul Ferguson has three more selections for us on Friday, all from Newbury; Coup Royal, Spirit River and Kid Cassidy.
Nicky Henderson has won the past two renewals of Newbury’s Fuller’s London Pride Novices’ Chase, courtesy of The Market Man and Punchestowns, and he can complete the hat-trick with Spirit River (2:10) on Friday.
The trainer, who also saddled Bacchanal and Katarino to win this in recent years, had four to chose from at entry stage and the fact he has opted for the Coral Cup winner could be significant.
A winner three times from six hurdle starts, he has the look of a chaser and, with Celestial Halo making the market, he should be sent off at a fair price.
Henderson can complete a double in the concluding maiden hurdle, another race he took last year, courtesy of Bellvano. This time he relies on the same connections’ Kid Cassidy (3:15) and he won a bumper here on debut in March, before finishing third at Punchestown.
The four-year-old rates a smart prospect for novice hurdles and can make the perfect start.
Earlier on the card Coup Royale (1:00) looks to hold strong claims in the novices’ handicap chase. A real eye-catcher on his debut over fences at Kempton earlier in the month, when he failed to get home, and the drop in trip will suit. The strong traveller jumped really well on debut and he looks tough to beat here.
Friday’s selections:
1:00 Newbury Coup Royale
2:10 Newbury Spirit River
3:15 Newbury Kid Cassidy
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Last year’s selections included:
Hurricane Fly: 3/1 winner of the G1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Copper Bleu: 12/1 winner of the Jewson at Cheltenham
Great Endeavour: 18/1 winner of the Festival Plate
Tranguil Sea: 11/2 winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Sizing Europe: 6/1 winner of the Arkle
Weapon’s Amnesty: 10/1 winner of the RSA Chase
