Cheltenham hopes at Newbury

An excellent card at Newbury this afternoon features several of the leading British hopes for Cheltenham. One who is more of a certainty than a hope is Big Bucks (Paul Nicholls/ Tony McCoy-if he is fit to ride after yesterdays fall in Ireland), who runs in the Long Walk Hurdle, transferred from Ascot´s abandoned meeting before Christmas, at 16.20 CET. Since being switched back to the smaller obstacles Big Bucks is unbeaten in 9 races, including this CD 3 times, and basically no horse in Europe can touch him over today´s trip of 3 miles. Duc de Regniere (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) was well beaten by him last time and now reopposes on 8lbs worse terms, but can still take second, with Restless Harry (Bob Dickin/ Harry Oliver) next best.

The other Grade One race here is the Challow Novice Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 15.10, which is much more open. 9 of the 11 runners finished first or second last time, but our selection Al Ferof (Nicholls/ Harry Skelton) did not as he fell when in a winning position at Cheltenham. He can atone for that lapse now, with Court in Motion (Emma Lavelle/ Sam Thomas) possibly next best.

Even the lower grade races have strong fields here, and the 3yo hurdle at 13.30 could be very informative. Grandouet (Henderson/ McCoy) and Pullyourfingerout (Brendan Powell/ Dougie Costello) both finished runner-up to Sam Winner - the best 3yo hurdler seen out so far in the UK- with preference for the former, but stable companion A Media Luz (Andrew Tinkler), could be very dangerous in receipt of lots of weight; she threw away her chance last time by pulling for her head throughout.

After Guillaume Macaire and Jacques Ricou scored an absurdly easy success yesterday at Ffos Las, their Lucky to Be must have good chance in the opening novice chase at 13.00, where German-bred Ghizao (Nicholls/ Timmy Murphy) looks the principal threat.

Punchestowns, not seen out since flopping as favourite at the Cheltenham Festival, looks another winner for the Henderson stable at 14.00, while stable companion Kid Cassidy can take the introductory hurdle 35 minutes later.

There is also all-weather flat racing in the U.K. at Wolverhampton this afternoon and Kempton this evening, but all at a low level.