Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Friday picks at Newbury

There's a 7.30am inspection on Friday at the track but Mick Fitz fancies Maries Rock (15:00) to land the day's feature.

By / Horse Racing Tips / 12 months ago

Mick Fitzgerald’s Newbury Racing Tips

12.10 Jeriko du Reponet
12.40 Persian Time
13:15 Woodhoh
13:50 Nickel Back
14:25 Kandoo Kid
15:00 Maries Rock
15:35 Ed Keeper

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

12.10 Jeriko du Reponet

An Irish point-to-point winner for Wilson Denison last March and was then bought by JP McManus. The gallop watchers at Newbury racecourse saw him enjoy a racecourse gallop two weeks ago and the word is out.

JERIKO DU REPONET is very short in the market but this looks a lovely race for him to make his hurdling debut and could be one to follow as the season progresses.

12.40 Persian Time

PERSIAN TIME’s long thought of as a chaser but it has not been smooth sailing for him so far despite showing promise. The Henderson team are hoping this five-year-old is starting to get the hang of things.

He is not badly handicapped for his chase debut on his run at Ascot behind Springwell Bay last season.

Djelo is the obvious danger as his form looks really strong after winning at Aintree earlier this month. The fourth has won easily at Haydock since. However, a lot of the fences were omitted at Aintree due to the low sun and that leaves a question mark for me. 

 

13:15 Woodhoh

Gordon Elliott saddles two with WOODHOH the odds on favourite at declaration time. She was well bought by Ted Durcan out of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard off the Flat. She has now won her three starts over hurdles and looks too strong for these.

13:50 Nickel Back

If you see how well NICKEL BACK ran at Warwick and Stratford, you’ll see why I have gone for him over the market leader, Hermes Allen in this Grade 2 Novice Chase.

The runner-up at Warwick has since come out and run a big race at Newbury, plus the second in the Stratford race only just got beaten at Wetherby on Wednesday. He is a strong traveller who – once he jumps the first couple of fences he’lll settle down.

If the rest of the field allow him enough rope up front, they will not peg him back. Hermes Allen is a Grade One winner over hurdles, but his lack of chasing experience could be an issue against Nickel Back, especially on this ground.

Consistent hurdler Colonel Mustard gives the race a strong look, having mixed it in graded races over hurdles so far. He has been placed in a few chases against smart opposition and could be progressive over the larger obstacles.

14:25 Kandoo Kid

KANDOO KID was unlucky not to get the race in the Steward’s room at Newbury last time when producing a career-best effort. He looks well enough handicapped to win this Handicap Chase.

Venetia Williams’ Frero Banbou ran really well in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree, but looks a hard horse to catch right. He is getting well handicapped though.

 

15:00 Maries Rock

The eight-year-old mare MARIES ROCK had a racecourse gallop here and I’m hoping that will take the ‘freshness’ out of her and stop her running too keenly.

We have a couple of front runners in the field which will help and the faster they go the better. It will suit her in this Grade 2 hurdle where Grade One performers Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher are among the opposition.

15:35 Ed Keeper

This son of Hunters Light finished a very good second at Ascot last time, staying on really well at the finish. This step up in trip to 3m looks ideal.

ED KEEPER could still have some improvement in him as he is very lightly raced. Rambo T is way too big a price in my eyes. He will be ridden cold and will finish strongly and looks a solid each-way play with Paddy paying four places.

 

Newbury Racing Tips

12.10 Jeriko du Reponet
12.40 Persian Time
13:15 Woodhoh
13:50 Nickel Back
14:25 Kandoo Kid
15:00 Maries Rock
15:35 Ed Keeper

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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