Newbury host the feature card of the weekend and we have some strong selections across the seven race card and we start with Ashutor.
The six year old although running with a seven pound penalty is only technically two pounds up with Katie O'Farrell taking off five pounds.
He won nicely at Catterick just four days ago in heavy conditions and with soft ground forecasted he should get his ideal conditions once more.
NO BET
Theatre Guide goes for us in the Greatwood Veteran's Handicap Chase over three miles two furlongs and this Colin Tizzard trained 13 year old has been a consistent stayer for many years.
The gelding does his best work the further he goes with a good second in this contest last season which shows he stays the trip well.
Last time out he finished a smart third in a similar event at Sandown when staying on well from the back to narrowly finish third on the line and that sets the form for us.
The Class 3 Handicap Hurdle over two miles fields some very familiar faces that have ran in similar events all season and the bottom weight Nordic Combined takes the eye.
The David Pipe trained gelding has been in and around the frame on his two recent outings finishing fourth at Ludlow and Cheltenham, staying on well in both races.
Soft conditions should not be a problem but now in a contest off a nice handicap mark makes him very interesting and one to watch at a nice price.
The feature race of the day at Newbury is the Grade Three Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap and with a decent amount of runners heading to post we have two big fancies.
Both runners come from the Paul Nicholls yard with the 11 time champion trainer winning nine of the last 15 renewals which is just remarkable.
The first fancy is Mont Des Avaloirs and this seven year old has been backed all week to land this event having finished second on his last two outings, with the latter coming at Newbury over three miles.
The step back in trip is exactly what is needed for him to flourish having just been outstayed at the start of the month.
The second runner advertised as each way is last year's winner of the race San Benedeto who has the handy five pound claimer Bryan Carver on board.
The nine year old finished a smart fourth over course and distance in November behind better horses than in this race and it would not be a surprise to see him go well at a track he likes.
The penultimate selection of the day from us comes in the Novices Handicap Hurdle over two miles and Faustinovick for Colin Tizzard won't be far away if he runs to his best.
This six year old for Colin Tizzard has some decent form when finishing second behind a gelding on debut and then again he placed in a nice event not quite finishing his race off well.
He has now been given a wind operation but on his last outing was very below par in heavy ground and will not ant any rain if he is able to get back to his best.
Master Tommytucker is turned around quickly after a heavy fall for the second time in a row and in this event we are giving the gelding his last chance
The nine year old has been highly touted from this yard to be a very special horse and after he won nicely over two miles two furlongs at Kempton on his seasonal debut he backed that up.
He did look like he could go over further and although falling last time out in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day, he travelled nicely.
Ge did the same last week when falling at the fourth fence from home for the second time and hopefully Nicholls has sent him schooling over the week to get his jumping more accurate.
NO BET
