SOARING GLORY gets the vote to rack up back-to-back victories in the Betfair Hurdle (3.35) at Newbury.
Not since Rosyth captured the first two runnings of the race inaugurated as the Schweppes Gold Trophy in 1963 has a horse won the two-mile handicap twice.
To follow suit, Jonjo O’Neill’s top weight must buck the trend of recent success for novices, triumphant in nine of the past 12 years.
But Soaring Glory, ridden by the trainer's son, Jonjo jnr, still has unfinished business in this sphere.
The seven-year-old, now with a British Horseracing Authority rating of 147, is a stone higher than when beating Fifty Ball by three lengths 12 months ago.
My selection proved well ahead of a mark of 143 with a fluent comeback score at Ascot in October.
His two defeats since were in small field contests at Newbury and Kempton Park, so Soaring Glory can show his true colours back in this 14-strong line-up.
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SCEAU ROYAL is taken for a winning return to fences in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00).
Alan King’s popular 10-year-old has ‘previous’ in this Grade 2 two-miler - he finished second to Altior in 2020 before beating Champ by a couple of lengths 12 months ago.
A busy schedule was most likely to blame when Sceau Royal ran below his best with a sixth of seven to Guard Your Dreams in Cheltenham’s Grade 2 International Hurdle on December 11.
James Bowen’s mount has been given nine weeks of since and this most versatile performer can bounce back.
Paul Nicholls has been the trainer to follow with 10 victories in the Betfair Grade 2 Denman Chase (2.25), and Ditcheat runner CLAN DES OBEAUX looks the one to beat.
The two-time King George VI Chase hero was at the very top of his game last April, landing a Grade 1 double in the Betway Bowl at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup.
And there was little wrong with his return to the fray when a nine-length second to Tornado Flyer in the King George on Boxing Day.
Nicholls has been absent from the track for six days after a dip in the stable’s numbers, but the 12-time champion reports his Newbury runners in good form and Harry Cobden’s partner should take plenty of beating.
Nicholls saddles Bravemansgame for the opening Betfair Cheltenham Roarcast Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.15).
The value may lie with PATS FANCY, switched to fences by Rebecca Curtis this season and now two from three in the sphere.
The son of Oscar followed up a win by going in again on Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National undercard two days after Christmas, with an 11-length supremacy from Imperial Alacazar.
There is a further 8lb hike to deal with here, but Pats Oscar has yet to reach the bottom of the barrel and receives 16lb from the market leader.
Don’t underestimate RISK AND ROLL in the Daily Rewards With Betfair Handicap Hurdle (1.50).
Tabitha Worsley was on board for the first time as the eight-year-old, having his second outing for James Evans, proved seven lengths too good for Gazette Bourgeoise at Huntingdon 15 days ago.
In the circumstances, a 10lb rise for that triumph was to be expected. Worsley's partner is lightly raced at this three-mile trip and is capable of the follow-up.
At Warwick, EDWARDSTONE should set himself up for a crack at Cheltenham’s Arkle Challenge Trophy with a win in the Grade 2 Virgin Bet Kingmaker Chase (2.05).
Edwardstone stepped up to the highest level to capture Sandown Park’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase by 16 lengths from War Lord, with Third Time Lucki a nose back in third, three weeks before Christmas.
Tom Cannon’s mount rounded off 2021 by making light of a 5lb penalty in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase on December 27 – and is a worthy favourite to rack up the four-timer.
It’s worth taking on hotpot Indefatigable in the Listed Virgin Bet Warwick Mares’ Hurdle (1.35) with MARIE’S ROCK.
A bid for Kempton Park’s Lanzarote Hurdle met with an early setback when Milan’s daughter was badly hampered by the fall of Ch’tibello at the second flight.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old had scored with ease at Kempton on Boxing Day and still has more to offer.
Having shown the benefit of a breathing operation with a four-and-a-quarter-length margin at Sedgefield last time, THE KING OF MAY should again go well in the Virgin Bet Warwick Castle Handicap Chase (3.15).
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