Jolly's Cracked It At Newbury

Good morning/evening everyone, I hope we are rested and well prepared for a huge weekend of racing featuring many Festival clues from both England and Ireland. This weekend will see some Gold Cup clues in the Denman Chase as well as the return of Champion Chaser Sire De Grugy in the Game Spirit at Newbury. That card also features the competitive Betfair Hurdle that was won by Splash Of Ginge last year and My Tent Or Yours the year before. Elsewhere in the country we are also treated to the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices Chase at Warwick as a Listed Mares Hurdle which will see Glen's Melody back on these shores.

As if that wasn't enough we have four Grade One's in Ireland on Sunday which start with Kalkir who looks to set his season back on track after defeat on Boxing Day. Next up is the Deloitte which was won last year by Vautour and the yard have this year's favourite in Alvisio Ville who was subject to a gamble in the Neptune at Cheltenham throughout the week. Nichols Canyon also represents Willie Mullins in the race as he saddles four of the nine in the field. The Novice Chasers take their turn next with Valseur Lido a short priced favourite and faces strong competition from Apache Stronghold and Le Vent D'Antan. Last but certainly not least we have On His Own taking on Lord Windermere and Boston Bob with Ruby Walsh choosing the first mentioned over the last. But let's get today out of the way first!

As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a video preview prepared for you guys as we mark your card for the day's Channel 4 action. Joining myself on the panel today is just @Adamwebb121 but we shall do our best to find you all a few winners. You can watch live tonight at 8pm (Just after) or you can catch it on replay via the link below, enjoy!

Betfair Hurdle Day Video

Now onto the all important selections for today!

3:15 Warwick - Castle Cheetah

We have a bit of a wait until our first selection this weekend with Castle Cheetah for Martin Keighley who's yard have been a bit hit and miss lately. They will still be on a high after Annacotty's victory on Cheltenham Trials Day but he has only had 5 runners since including a third.

We haven't seen much of Castle Cheetah who remains a lightly raced seven year old but one that has shown ability on his last two starts. On the first of those he showed ability for the first time when well backed at Worcester, but found one too in the form of Ballycoe who hasn't been seen since pulled up behind Fletchers Flyer at Ascot when something seemingly amiss. Castle Cheetah then had a break of 90 days before reappearing at Taunton behind Rathlin Rose who has won since to boost the form. He seemed to want a real stamina sapping trip on that occasion and as a result is stepped up to three miles and two furlongs on handicap debut. An added bonus today is the addition of Conor Shoemark who claims a valuable three pounds which makes life easier. The softer ground is also no worry whatsoever and everything points towards a big run on his handicap bow.

The main danger may come in the form of Dawson City who has been in brilliant form since switching to handicaps recently. He is nine pounds higher on this occasion and will need a fair bit more this afternoon so preference is for the unexposed Castle Cheetah. (8/1)

3:35 Newbury - Jolly's Cracked It

Today's second and final selections comes in the form of Jolly's Cracked It who has been a much improved character since switching to Harry Fry's yard. This will be his first major test as he steps out of Novice company for the first time after a good second in the Tolworth Hurdle.

His hurdling debut was a successful one at Ascot and although his jumping left a lot to be desired it was clear that he had a lot of ability. Nick Scholfield sent him to the front a long way from home that day which may not have been to suit after he idled when clear, this ensured that the winning distance was kept to three and a quarter lengths, but it should have been a lot further. He was very workmanlike next time out back at Ascot when again beating Clondaw Banker with Jebril separating them. On paper he only won by a length but if not for an appalling mistake at the second last and a dubious leap at the last he would have won by much further, saying that he never looked like getting beat at any part of the race. His jumping was much better last time out in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle but proved no match for L'ami Serge, which is no bad thing as he looks one of the top Novices this season.

That leads us nicely onto today for his handicap debut in one of the toughest races of the calendar year, but he is undoubtedly in with a chance off a mark of 140. Today will be a bit of a shock to the system as the most he has faced over hurdles in one race is 7 rivals whereas today will see him tackle 23 other horses. That could see him to best effect as it will allow him to settle behind a few horses and hopefully travel into the race strongly under Nick Scholfield once again. The slightly faster ground shouldn't be much of a problem for him and he looks a nice price in a race where Novices do well. (16/1)

NAP - Jolly's Cracked It
Nb - Castle Cheetah

Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!