Newbury's Friday Preview - 30/11/2018

The first race at Newbury on Ladbrokes Trophy weekend, is the Ladbrokes 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle, and the field is so big we have had to select both Dashel Drasher and Beaufort West.

Dashel Drasher made a satisfactory start to his hurdling career when third at Chepstow this month, and appears to have more to offer, under a 3lb claimer.

Beaufort West on-the-other-hand made a much more low-key rules debut when down the field at the same venue in a bumper, but it is expected to improve on his first start over timber from a top yard.

Both have good claims.

Kupatana jumped soundly and made a good impression when scoring by five lengths on her chasing debut earlier this month, and now takes her place in the Ladbrokes Chase - a Novices' Limited Handicap.

Looks to make another bold show, which could land her in the frame for the Supreme at Cheltenham in March.

Definitely one to watch, and without doubt the one to beat.

Despite having to concede weight all round, Kateson sets the standard in the Ladbrokes Novices' Hurdle.

Won well despite awkward head carriage at Chepstow, but in fine form for a long time now and will definitely make a bold bid in a strong looking field.

Tom Lacey has a big weekend ahead of him, saddling Thomas Patrick in the big one on Saturday, and has a good chance of taking this

A Grade 2 Mares winner, La Bague Au Roi beat two of today's rivals here on her recent chasing debut, and now takes her place back in graded company, in the Ladbrokes Novices' Chase - registered As Berkshire Novices' Chase.

Arrived at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year, with four wins consecutively on her back, but failed to land a real blow to the leaders.

Has taken to chasing well and is surely the one to beat on stats, form and figures.

Will go close.

Three Musketeers can serve it up to the likes of Willoughby Court, in the 14:25 Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.

He has had patchy form since his last win, but that was predominantly over hurdles.

The 8yo did run well on his last chase outing at Market Rasen, and is a previous course and distance winner here from the past.

Each way claims if on top form.

Unowhatimeanharry just continues to give his all at the grand old age of 10, and he returns to the scene at the place where he landed this very contest two years ago.

To put things in perspective, three or four of the horses in that race have been long since retired, but Harry - also a Cheltenham Festival winner, is usually the first off the bridal but keeps battling on, and actually has a strong chance of landing this prize again.

Has a few lengths to make up on Wholestone, but another bold big expected here.

Bobo Mac can take the curtain closer - the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, for the trainer-jockey partnership of Tom Symonds and James Davies.

He finished a fine second at big odds over hurdles here in a Pertemps Qualifier recently, and with his confidence now once again booming, he returns to tackle the larger obstacles.

Should be involved.