N.H. racing at Newbury and Newcastle

There will be an inspection later this morning at Newbury following overnight frost, but if racing goes ahead, there are some interesting events although some of the fields are very small. The class at today is Finians´s Rainbow (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) in the novice chase at 14.30 CET, who is ante-post favourite for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. He has only two opponents - decent, but far from top class, to beat here and it will be a sensation if he fails to win. Two more possible Henderson winners, both partnered by Geraghty, are Titan de Sarti in the 4yo hurdle at 14.00 - although another ex-French horse Cedre Bleu (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) looks a big danger- and Kerala in the mares novice chase at 15.40, getting weight from her main rival Sway(Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy). Best betting race here is the 3 miles handicap chase at 16.50. German-bred Victoria´s Groom (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) has top-weight here, although he has not won for ages and ha s failed to complete in 4 of her last 6 races. If he gets round safely, he could possibly score at a big price; for those who find that too risky, then lightly-weighted Sona Sasta (David Pipe/ Danny Cook) could be the safer option after winning 3 of his last 4 races, but facing tougher opposition this time.

The best race at Newcastle is also a 3 miles handicap chase at 5.15. Top-weight Minster Shadow (Chris Grant/ Campbell Gillies ) is 12 years old but still capable of winning in this grade. He fell last time out at Aintree, but that was a much tougher race. Caver´s Glen(AC Whillans/ Brian Harding) who won on the same Aintree card is an obvious danger, as is See You There (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan), who found 4 miles too far last time. However his team probably have a better chance with Do It for Dalkey, an easy CD winner last time, who can defy a 7lbs rise in the weights against modest opposition.