Totesport Trophy and rest of Newbury

The Totesport Trophy handicap hurdle at 16.05 CET is one of the biggest betting races of the year and looks like being another bookies benefit, with at last half of the 24-strong field having already been heavily backed. The 3 trainers who have the best historical record here are Nicky Henderson, who now has 4 runners, Gary Moore, who has won the last two runnings and has 2 entries, and David Pipe with 3. All their runners deserve respect, notably Spirit River, the choice of Henderson´s stable jockey Barry Geraghty, German-bred Fairyland (Henderson/ Felix de Files), Stravinsky Dance (Henderson/ Robbie Killoran), Harry Tricker (Moore/ Andrew Glassonbury), Numide (Moore/ Philip Hide), Ronaldo des Mottes (Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) and Mamlook (Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) - although the last-named seems to be more of an Ascot specialist. Paul Nicholls and Jonjo O´Neill have not shone in this race, but their runners Takeroc (Ruby Walsh) and Get me out of Here (Tony McCoy) respectively must be considered, especially the latter, who is still unbeaten. Others to consider are Manyriverstocross (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), Any Given Day (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire)- from a stable in red-hot form- Irish hope Arch Rebel (Noel Meade Davy Condon) and another German-bred Oldrik (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson). We have now mentioned 13 runners, but the race is so difficult that quite possibly none of them will be placed! For those who cannot resist a bet, our 3 against the field are Stravinsky Dance, Get me out of Here amd Anygivenday, wth Oldrik the best outsider.

2 more very tricky races are the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.00 and the concluding Grade Two bumper at 17.45, in which 7 of the 11 runners are last-time-out winners. In the former event German-bred Fredo (Ian Williams/ Jason Maguire) is moving up in trip, but must have a squeak. It could be a good day for German-breds and Bellvano (Henderson/ Geraghty) is another one who could star. He runs in the novice hurdle at 17.15 and has Tito Bustillo (Nicholls/ Walsh) to beat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Diamond Harry - Inchidaly Rock - Bensalem
2. Race: Alfie Sherrin - So Now - Tarateeno
3. Race: Denman - Air Force One - Tricky Trickster
4. Race: Spirit River - Harry Tricker - Ronaldo des Mottes
5. Race: Master Minded - Voy Por Ustedes - Mahogany Blaze
6. Race: Bellvano - Tito Bustillo - Gus Macrae
7. Race: Al Ferof - Made In Time - Dragon`S Roost