*All prices are up to date with our stylish widgets, while copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Paul Nicholls decided to put bravemansgame in this rookie handicap after winning at Kempton on Boxing Day. It’s obviously racing for him but he has to give up 16 pounds to second seed Pats Fancy. It’s a good distance for him and it’s a track he likes. The only concern would be the shape of the yard, which Paul talked about earlier this week. He hinted at a few things, but Bravemansgame is above the rest in form. He is also a brilliant jumper. I wouldn’t oppose him despite concerns about the shape of the yard.
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Tireless is the top mare in the standings but I’ve been concerned about her attitude lately. She hesitated to line up and leave. However, she remains the best mare and she will be hard to beat.
I don’t have a massive opinion on this race, but one worth watching is The great escape. It’s his first race since wind surgery and he’s back in hurdles. He has decent form in his history and is worth keeping an eye on. The second race after a wind operation is the perfect time to get behind a horse, so remember that next time.
Edwardstone was shot down at Warwick in November but then won on the same track a few weeks later. He has won at Sandown and Kempton since. He is an improving horse and Edwardstone may be Arkle’s favorite to win here.
Clan Des Obeaux short for Paul Nicholls but again it comes down to question marks over the form of the stable. Clan Des Obeaux is theoretically only rated at 6lbs heavier than Royale Pagaille but for me at Newbury over 2m7f there is no contest here. Clan Des Obeaux ran close to that in the King George and still managed to finish second. He is too fast for Royale Pagaille.
If you go back to last April in Aintree, Sivole tightrope walker gave Shishkin a bit of a run. Tightrope Sivola then raced at Huntingdon in December but I don’t think he stayed, he was overtaken by First Flow. He fell in distance at Doncaster at the end of last month and won despite a big mistake at first. If there’s one horse here that could be a possible two-way scream in the Champion Chase, it’s Tightrope Sivola.
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I can see why there have been some books Dinny Lacey, who finished third in Limerick at Christmas. I would probably side with him against horses that climb in the handicap, especially the higher weight Celebre DAllen.
I don’t see much pace in this race and I’m on the side I like to move. I would like something to do a real gallop to drag I Like To Move It Along. He demands it. Sam Twiston-Davies will definitely be up front and that’s what this race needs. I would be more excited if there was pace in this race, but I will continue with I Like To Move It.
Ruby Walsh’s best bets:
13:15 Newbury – Bravemansgame
13:35 Warwick – Tireless
1:50 p.m. Newbury – The Great Breakaway
14:05 Warwick-Edwardstone
14:25 Newbury – Clan Des Obeaux
15:00 Newbury – Tightrope walker Sivola
15:15 Warwick – Dinny Lacey
15:35 Newbury – I like to move it
*All prices are up to date with our stylish widgets, while copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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