In a cracking renewal of the extended 2m 4f Grade 1 Challow Hurdle (3:00), horse racing experts all have different Newbury tips for this feature race. Course winner Willmount looks sure to be popular for the Nicky Henderson stable, but JOHNNYWHO is also unbeaten and thus a value play against the favourite.
Trained by Jonjo O’Neill and owned by JP McManus, this six-year-old son of Califet has Irish Point, Taunton bumper and Carlisle novice hurdle wins under his belt. Johnnywho didn’t come off the bridle when scoring very cosily up in Cumbria and can only improve for his first outing over the smaller obstacles.
Connections show no hesitation pitching him in at the deep end either. Johnnywho is the one that horse racing betting sites underestimate in the market. Both Henderson’s Seven Barrows stable and Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard have two runners in the race.
Captain Teague is the first string of the latter, but comes to Newbury off the back of defeat to Minella Missile at Cheltenham’s November Meeting. Nicholls’ other entrant Farnoge could also go well at bigger odds, but the 5/1 with QuinnBet about Johnnywho looks a free each way bet here.
Passing Well Also Among Newbury Tips for 30 December Finale
In the lucky last, an extended 2m 6f novices’ limited handicap chase (3:35), PASSING WELL is the recommended punt. Trained by Jamie Snowden, this six-year-old Coastal Path gelding built on his Ascot second when first tackling fences by going one better at Lingfield.
Passing Well was a remote fourth in the Challow Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago. This is a much easier assignment. Going up in trip from two-and-a-miles looks a shrewd move here as well. With a 3lb rise for beating a subsequent winner in Heva Rose by a length, the form of his latest effort looks good.
Tough! Passing Well battles to victory at @LingfieldPark for @jamiesnowden and it’s a double for @GavinSheehan92… pic.twitter.com/UbBrXHBgcK
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 30, 2023
A revised rating of 125 translates to a lovely racing weight of 10st 10lb for Passing Well here. Fresh from his sensational winning ride on Hewick in the King George that leading UK betting sites didn’t see coming, Gavin Sheehan is again in the saddle. He has a profitable 25 per cent strike rate with his mounts at the track this season, so Newbury tips include this combination with good reason.
It’s a local course for Lambourn handler Snowden. Passing Well is another that punters can back each way and break even if he places while the 5/1 with bet365 lasts. Chase debutant Walking On Air, topweight Golden Son and, despite racing from 2lb out of the handicap, Ballycamus are all contenders, according to the market.
Atlanta Brave the Mandarin Bet
Younger horses boast a fine recent record in the 3m 2f Mandarin Handicap Chase earlier on the card (2:25), so ATLANTA BRAVE appeals to make his third start over fences a winning one. Trained by Kerry Lee, this five-year-old by Aizavoski made improvement from his reappearance and bow in this sphere at Cheltenham when an eye-catching runner-up at Exeter.
Atlanta Brave was better over the longer trip of 3m the last day, taking second spot in the final strides. That augurs well for going up a further quarter-mile in distance here. Although he arrives at Newbury as a maiden over fences, Atlanta Brave was home in front of the useful Ginny’s Destiny back in October.
That one has gone in twice since and now has an official rating of 146. Off a mark of just 121, almost two stone lower than Ginny’s Destiny, you can see why Atlanta Brave is among Newbury tips for the 30 December card. Richard Patrick again takes the ride and the 6/1 on offer with LiveScore Bet, who pay four places, looks a solid each way play.
Plenty of others have claims including last year’s runner Shanty Alley off a 5lb lower mark. Surrey Quest heads the betting following his recent switch to Toby Lawes, while it’d be no surprise if the O’Neill yard runner Yes Indeed went well. Atlanta Brave gets the nod on his potential now upped further in trip.
Newbury Tips for 30 December
- Johnnywho E/W in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle (3:00) @ 5/1 with QuinnBet
- Passing Well E/W in the 2m 6.5f novices’ limited handicap chase (3:35) @ 5/1 with bet365
- Atlanta Brave E/W in the Mandarin Handicap Chase (2:25) @ with 6/1 with LiveScore Bet (4 places)
