Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: A runner-by-runner guide to Newbury’s 3pm qualifier on Saturday

The 3pm at Newbury on Saturday is your third chance to qualify for the draw to Paddy Power's New Year's Day Millionaire giveaway and bag £10k along the way.

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By / Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Tips / 4 years ago

You know the drill by now and if you don’t it’s time to pin your ears back as we’re two down and just four to go ahead of Saturday’s Millionaire qualifier at Newbury 3pm.

Each week, for the next five weeks, simply pick a horse to win one of the qualifier races to be in with a chance of bagging a million quid in Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham.

All you have to do is click this handy OPT IN link and then place a winning bet on the 3pm at Newbury this Saturday to go forward to the weekly online draw on our social channels on Monday. If your name is picked out, you will then go forward to the mega New Year’s Day sweepstake race at Cheltenham with the chance to win a million quid – or £/€10k for just qualifying. You must OPT IN though – backing the winner but not OPTING IN first won’t get you in the Monday draw.

And did we mention the weekly draw winner gets a £/€10k prize? Consider it mentioned.

And if you haven’t had a chance to study the form yet – fret not – here’s a runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s qualifier at Newbury 3pm with the help of our close pals at Timeform.

We’re good like that, so here goes…

Vinndication

Most likeable and progressive chaser who took it up another notch when two lengths second to Cyrname (Aye Right five lengths back in third) in Charlie Hall on reappearance. Cheekpieces added. Considered.

Kildisart

Right back to his best when narrowly denied by The Conditional in Ultima at Cheltenham Festival in March. Sound reappearance run over hurdles at Wetherby and that should put him spot on for this.

Aye Right

Has quickly developed into very smart chaser, running a belter when seven lengths third to Cyrname (Vinndication second) in Charlie Hall at Wetherby. Unexposed granted this sort of stamina test. Player.

Black Op

Smart novice chaser last term and reappeared with fine fourth to Imperial Aura in 2½m Carlisle listed 27 days ago. 3m has always looked to be the limit of his stamina, though, so extra 2f a worry.

The Conditional

Enjoyed excellent first season with this yard, second in this and concluding with neck defeat of Kildisart (Vinndication fourth) in Ultima at Cheltenham, doing well after a mistake two out. Respected.

Copperhead

Grade 2 novice chase winner last term but well beaten when falling heavily in RSA on final start. Also dropped away tamely on hurdle return last month but yard does have good recent record in this.

Secret Investor

Returned from wind surgery with an improved performance to see off Potterman by seven lengths in 3m Chepstow handicap in October. Form boosted since so 6lb rise not excessive. High on shortlist.

Two for Gold

Smart novice last season and stepped up again when second in competitive 19f Wetherby handicap on reappearance. Open to further progress now going back up in trip. One of two strong contenders for yard.

Cloth Cap

Third in 2019 Scottish National. Didn’t hit the same heights last season but returned with an encouraging third to Frodon over 25f at Cheltenham. Cheekpieces on first time. Could go well.

Beware the Bear

Won Ultima at 2019 Cheltenham Festival. Even better form when fourth of 24 in this on last year’s reappearance and probably worth ignoring a lesser run over hurdles on only subsequent outing.

Mister Malarky

Won Grade 3 handicap at Kempton last winter. Ought to be sharper for his reappearance run behind Regal Encore at Ascot last month but he was only sixth off an identical mark last year. Blinkers added.

Potterman

Improved again to win competitive 3m handicap at Market Rasen in August and just as good when runner at Chepstow (to Secret Investor) and Wincanton (beaten short head in Badger Beers) since.

Danny Whizzbang

Looked a very smart chaser in making when taking Grade 2 novice at this meeting last year but things haven’t gone to plan since, including well beaten in Badger Beers on return (reportedly bled).

Ardlethen

Useful chaser who fared about as well as could be expected when fifth of sixth in 2½m Carlisle listed on return. Top yard always respected but he’ll need an improved performance to overcome this mark.

Regal Encore

Added to his fine Ascot record when taking Grade 3 handicap on reappearance but he’s harder to predict elsewhere, underlined by his 3 performances in this, pulling up twice but also third in 2017.

La Bague Au Roi

Dual Grade 1 novice chase winner in 2018/19 but without a win since. Behind Vinndication and Aye Right in Charlie Hall last time and it’s likely that wait for another success will go on a bit longer.

Ballyoptic

Very smart on his day, winning Charlie Hall and 3m handicap at Ascot (both heavy) last season. Does need to shrug off a poor reappearance run in this year’s Charlie Hall, though.

The Hollow Ginge

Very useful staying chaser on his day but hard to be sure what sort of form he turns up here in having unseated at the first on his Kelso reappearance. Visored first time.

VERDICT:

A cracking renewal. AYE RIGHT leaves the impression he may have an even bigger performance in him now racing beyond 3m for the first time over fences and can become the first Scottish-trained winner since 1979.

Secret Investor rates a big threat after his impressive defeat of Potterman at Chepstow. Kim Bailey pair Vinndication and Two For Gold are two of many others who could go well.

Read More:

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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