2:05 Newbury Tips

Ran a stormer in the Ebor, given how few miles he has on the clock. He was only beaten a little over five lengths on that occasion and runs off the same mark here. Conditions are a little slower, but as long as he copes with that, there should still be loads of progression in the tank.

Dramatic Star is up three pounds after his latest 2nd at Haydock and he could go one better in this competitive handicap at Newbury.

I really like this one here. He prefers cut in the ground and has been running well on quicker ground, so now he has his preferred ground and stays the trip well. The one to be on here.

Upped in last race to an increased distance and performed well. Coming back down in trip at which most effective. Proven on good to soft ground, coming off a hat-trick in July/August.

Lieber Power was sent off 2nd fav for this race last year off a 3lb higher mark on heavy ground when 6th but not beaten far in truth. Both his turf wins have been on good to soft so this ground could be ideal and I particularly like the booking of Buick in these marathon races where he's often more tactically aware than the other jockeys. Despite the big field, there's not many in this that look well handicapped but this one certainly has the ability to go close off this mark and an e/w bet at 12/1 looks the best way to play it.

Another one who needs softer ground to be seen at his best. There should be enough juice in the ground for him. Beaten a length on good to soft off a pound higher over this trip in July, so he has a decent chance. And 16s looks big.

It's the ground that makes me think Azahara Palace is going under the radar here. Did really well at Bath in heavy ground over twelve furlongs recently. If he has the same attitude here over the extra furlong, on ground that may well be quite testing by off time, then he has an excellent chance.

A chance is taken at lengthy odds on Alfred Boucher who returns from a lengthy absence. Proven stayer who is well handicapped on his very best form (former Ebor second, beaten a neck, off OR100, runs off OR92 here). First start for highly rated and in form Owen Burrows (SR 25%) yard. Kevin Stott rides.

The soft ground may have come for Nachtgeist. He won on good to soft going in Germany, where he also placed in a Group 2 event. A second placing in a Worcester hurdle in July was decent. Trainer Olly Murphy has been in the winners recently.