A Thursday in early November probably doesn’t leap off the page in isolation for horse racing fans, but the Clonmel & Newbury races provide punters with some interesting betting heats.
This is the biggest day of the season at the Irish track. The Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase headlines the card around the venue with a Listed chase for mares supporting the action.
Besides that, horse racing betting sites also have competitive action at Newbury races in Berkshire. Their 7 November card looks sure to provide plenty of future pointers for punters. We asked our experts for their analysis from the best of the action.
Clonmel & Newbury Races Preview – Thursday, 7 November
12:30 Newbury – 2m Class 3 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-130)
After just beating a next time out winner around Wetherby the last day, SCHMILSSON is an obvious one off 4lb higher. Beau Morgan now takes over in the saddle for Olly Murphy and 3lb off with his claim.
That effectively puts Schmilsson just 1lb than when successful up in West Yorkshire. King William Rufus has gone close on his last two starts, meanwhile, and shapes as though his time is near.
The issue with Chris Gordon’s runner is son Freddie took 5lb off last time, but cannot use his claim because he is the conditional jockey of the Nicky Henderson stable. Junkanoo keeps dropping in the weights, so completes the shortlist.
1:05 Newbury – 2m Class 3 Novice Hurdle
Competitive with French Group 2 winning Flat convert L’Astronome feared by online bookmakers now switched to the James Owen yard. If he translates his ability to the obstacles, then the Frankel gelding once rated 105 on the level is the one to beat.
Ben Pauling may have a smart horse on his hands in ROYSSE, however. A course bumper winner, that form received the ultimate boost when the runner-up, Jurancon, scored at Chepstow on Wednesday. The fourth and sixth home has also won since.
If a lack of race fitness or recent run is an issue, then Pure Carbon has claims of going one better for Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien. He chased home the ill-fated Captain Marvellous at Warwick when only held by a length. The third has since finished second around Wetherby.
1:40 Newbury – 2m 7f Class 3 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (0-135)
Although the Jonjo O’Neill stable won this at Newbury race 12 months ago with Inch House and saddle Collectors Item this time, it’s hard to ignore topweight DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE. Kim Bailey’s six-year-old won very nicely off 5lb lower around Chepstow in October.
Destorytheevidence twice placed in graded staying novice hurdles last term and could take even higher rank over fences. Rock My Way went close over course and distance when runner-up in February and hails from a Pointing background, so Anthony Charlton’s new recruit looks a player here.
Hugos New Horse is out of the same dam as Black Corton, so should like the good ground on chasing debut for Paul Nicholls. Bowtogreatness is still a maiden over fences following a dozen tries, however, and looks vulnerable to less exposed opposition.
2:05 Clonmel – Listed 2m 4.5f T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase
Last year’s winner Allegorie De Vassy is at her best on clockwise tracks, but her best form is on much softer ground. The going 12 months ago was heavy, as opposed to good now. Willie Mullins’ charge can feasibly be taken on with race-fit rival SHECOULDBEANYTHING.
Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old had a sighter for this when landing a conditions chase over an extended 2m 2f at the track last month. Shecouldbeanything wasn’t stopping is already a Grade 3 winner over fences around Tipperary.
Must Be Obeyed finished in front of Allegorie De Vassy during the Punchestown Festival, but Tom Gibney’s runner is 1lb worse off at the revised weights. Mullins second string Pink In The Park hasn’t showed much aptitude for fences.
2:17 Newbury – 2m Class 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
All four have won over obstacles before. LISTENTOYOURHEART didn’t beat a lot at Market Rasen on her hurdles bow, but definitely won like a long odds-on shot. The market greatly fears Dan Skelton’s charge following-up.
If not the favourite, then Roaring Home pushed subsequent Listed winner and Cheltenham Grade 2 second Gale Mahler close in a Southwell bumper for Henry Daly. She has since won an Exeter maiden hurdle and Harry Cobden again takes the ride. Mary has more experience, while Kitty Foyle is a Flat convert in deep here.
2:40 Clonmel – 2m 4.5f Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase
Saint Sam is also race-fit from a summer campaign and better ground isn’t an issue. O’Brien junior has a second string in Solness, however, who has also been mixing it over both sets of obstacles.
Fil D’Or may also be worth another try over this trip, based on how he shaped last autumn. Elliott kept him after his former owners dispersed their horses and he needs to start paying his way for current connections. Gibney’s new recruit Bronn is very much on the comeback trail here.
2:25 Newbury – 3m Class 2 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier
Disappointing that there’s just five, but EMITOM loves Newbury races and has a 6lb pull with Monmiral from the Final during the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. That gives Alan King’s runner hope of reversing the form around his happy hunting ground.
Off 2lb well-in, the big danger is Major Fortune. So prolific for Dan Skelton, he did really well to win down at 2m 1f around Newton Abbot. Major Fortune’s previous exploits were over this trip, and he’s still let in lightly on official figures here despite a 7lb penalty.
He continues to progress from a low base. You suspect Henry’s Friend uses this Pertemps Qualifier as a pipe-opener for going back over fences. Ben Pauling’s charge won the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot in February. American Sniper is well-handicapped off 2lb lower than last November’s Cheltenham victory.
