Traditionally, today’s Fighting Fifth at Newcastle served only as a mere accompaniment to the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. This year, for the first time in memory, it’s the other way around. Gosforth Park’s feature may only have three runners, but one couldn’t have asked for a better trio. Dual Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D’Air takes on Cheltenham Festival winning novices, Samcro and Summerville Boy. The last two Champion Hurdles weren’t exactly vintage renewals and with that in mind, this is probably Buveur D’Air’s stiffest task over hurdles for some time. Summerville Boy, who we backed for the last year’s Supreme, did remarkably well to win the Festival curtain-raiser considering how much momentum he lost after hitting the second-last. Samcro, on the other hand, may have disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal, but if he can replicate his scintillating performance in the Neptune, he should prove difficult to beat. In recent years, many, including myself, have become increasingly frustrated at trainers for not allowing their top-class jumpers compete against the best in their respective class. As such, it’s refreshing, and not to mention really exciting, to have three proper Champion Hurdle contenders lock horns at such an early stage of the season. While the Grade One contest offers little appeal from a betting perspective, its star-studded cast promises to serve up a mouth-watering clash. I sincerely hope it lives up to its billing and gives the Northern racing scene a much-needed boast.
Usually, the Ladbrokes Trophy, formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, contains a highly exciting novice from last year with serious Gold Cup potential. That’s not the case this year and when you see Black Corton shouldering top-weight, you know that one of jumps racing’s major handicaps is lacking a class horse. Granted Black Corton is an admirable type and a useful yardstick, but equally, few, if any, would give him a chance of claiming Cheltenham’s blue riband. The race also comprises of just 14 runners, the smallest field size since Celestial Gold’s win in 2004. Thankfully, the smaller than usual field size hasn’t stopped most of the bookies from offering 4 (and 5) places and such each-way terms make it an ideal betting race. The £250,000 staying chase is fiercely competitive and a strong rationale could be made for any of the 14 hopefuls. That being said, I am extremely sweet on the chances of Elegant Escape. Second to none other than Samcro in his pointing days, I have been a long-time follower of the Dubai Destination gelding. Based on his size and raw physique, Colin Tizzard’s charge was always going to be a long-term chasing prospect. As such, I am convinced that we have yet to see the best of him. If any of these have the potential of reaching the highest level, it’s Elegant Escape, who improved nicely with each run last term. That progression continued through to the current campaign with an excellent win in the Graduation Chase at Sandown a few weeks back. There, he showed true battling qualities to wear down Thomas Patrick near the finish. According to his Gold Cup winning trainer, he was in dire need of the run and this Grade 2 winner should come on a tonne for his recent win. The six-year-old may have to carry a penalty for that win, but if ever a class horse was to emerge from this prestigious event, it’s going to be Elegant Escape. Current market leader Thomas Patrick is sure to prove a worthy opponent once again off more favourable terms. Like Elegant Escape, Tom Lacey’s charge is a previous course winner, but unlike his arch nemesis, he hasn’t Grade One form. Elegant Escape was third in Grade Ones at both Cheltenham and Aintree while Thomas Patrick was making a mockery of lenient handicap marks. For me, Elegant Escape deserves to be favourite and is a very much underestimated at 11/2. Simply put, I think he’ll and as a consequence, I’m prepared to go along with a maximum bet.
Newbury 3.00 PM
1 Point Each Way Elegant Escape (11/2 Paddy Power 5 places or 11/2 (4 places) elsewhere)
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