2:50 Newbury Tips

Dan Skelton's 5yo was supposed to be heading to Cheltenham next week, but connections have re-routed him to Newbury. He was only having his second run for the yard when winning at Chepstow 26 days ago in the manner of an improving stayer.

East India Express failed to win here over hurdles in both 2023 and 2024. That could have been down to soft and heavy going in those races. He has shown better form on faster going, like he will have in this race, and his latest fall was a rare mistake.

Haiti Couleurs from the Rebecca Curtis stable has done nothing but improve during his career, culminating in a win in the Group 3 Irish Grand National following his win in the Class 2 Princess Royal at Cheltenham, both of them over jumps last season. He is equally successful over hurdles, having two wins and three places from his six hurdles races, with the other one a 4th. Usually goes well fresh, and maybe this hurdles race is a soft introduction to his season. Sean Bowen has a good record of four wins and a 3rd from his six rides. Versatile on all goings from Good to Heavy.

This 7-year-old has won 5 times over hurdles for his current connections, with the most recent victory at Huntingdon in May. After a 4 month break, he showed he still has plenty of spirit by finishing 3rd at Aintree just 11 days ago. With race fitness in his favour, he presents enticing opportunity for an each-way bet at generous odds of 25/1.

East India Express is the hot favorite here, but Samuel Spade has lines through that horse which give him every chance here at a generous-looking 14/1. There's basically a 14 lb swing in Samuel Spade's favor for a 3.5 length beating if you include the fact that East India Express's jockey can now only claim 3 lb rather than 5 lb. Both the jockey and trainer on this horse couldn't be in hotter form, and the horse has been given a wind operation since his last run.

Bill Baxter returns from a long layoff, having placed second in November last season in these circumstances. Twice a winner in November, this tough stayer (a previous winner of the Topham Handicap Chase) can go well with the going, distance, and galloping track suiting.

Based on the run to start last season at Chepstow and the showing the run before last at Exeter (also in a class two from a pound higher in the weights), HITITI is one you just can't draw a line through here. Six runners up in the last ten races, so winning is tricky to come by, but the each-way claims are there again.

Docpickedme returns from a long break. In November 2023 he was beaten a head in similar circumstances. The horse has finished in the first three places in more than half of his hurdle races. Docpickedme stays well and goes well with give in the ground. Charlie Maggs takes the ride. He is 1-2 on Docpickedme.