top card at Newbury today

with the weather improving, we have a full programme today and some top racing, especially at Newbury.
The highest rated runner today is Sire de Grugy (Gary and Jamie Moore) who runs there in the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase over 2 miles at 16.00 CET. In theory he has to win, but as he has been off with an injury for quite a while, we would be a ittle cautious. JP McManus owns the two main dangers Uxizandre (Alan King/ Barry Geraghty) and Mr. Mole (Paul Nicholls/ AP McCoy) and one must assume that McCoy is on the right one, although on ratings he is slightly below the owner´s other runner. The trainer seems quite optimistic that Sire de Grugy is almost back to his best, in which case we exoect him to score.
There is another small but very select field for the Denman Chase over 3 miles at 15.25. Houblon des Obeaux (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) and Unioniste (Nicholls/ Noel Fehily) both ran in the Hennessy here in November, with the former doing much better in second and now also better off at the weights, so he should hold his rival again. However we are afraid of Taquin du Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy), with the stable back in top form, and the fast-improving Coneygree (Mark Bradstock/ Richard Johnson).
O´Neill has 2 runners in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 14.50 and Merry King (Geraghty) also ran in the Hennessy, finishing 3rd - he has not run over hurdles for ages and McCoy´s mount Milan Bound is easily preferred. For lovers of outsiders we recommend here Shotavodka (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), who is on a long losing run but is now very nicely handicapped.
Of course the big betting race of the day is the Betfair Hurdle at 16.35, the most valuable hurdle handicap of the year and with 23 runners impossible to solve. Any of them could win, but our 3 against the field are Fascino Rustico (Dan and Harry Skelton), Balgarry (Pipe/ Scu) and Ballybolley (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Daryl Jacob). Wicklow Brave (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) is of obvious interest here as well, but we prefer Mullins´ runners at Warwick, where he can land a double with Arbre de Vie at 14.00 and Glens Melody at 15.40, both partnered by Paul Townend.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Risk A Fine - Qewy - Cloonacool
2. Race: Milan Bound - Milansbar - Rydon Pynes
3. Race: Unioniste - Taquin Du Seuil - Harry Topper
4. Race: Uxizandre - Upsilon Bleu - Sire De Grugy
5. Race: Activial - Jolly`s Cracked It - Sign Of A Victory
6. Race: Vivaldi Collonges - Kings Palace - Vivaldi Collonges
7. Race: Barters Hill - Duke Des Champs - Present Man