29th November 2012

Today sees the return of better quality racing and as a result a more confident set of selections. Newbury embarks on its three day Hennessey meeting, culminating with the big race on Saturday and for those not following the twitter page (@thehorsewhisp) my early selection has been Carruthers to score a historic repeat; but I think Saint Are and Fruity O'Rooney are very good alternatives, and also can easily put a case forward for Tidal Bay. Obviously a fuller review will be available nearer the time. Here are today's best bets.

14.05 Newbury

This race may appear to revolve around Houblon Des Obeaux but I'm yet to be convinced he performs as well on ground as testing as he is going to encounter today. He arrives however in the form of his life and warrants respect, but ultimately the conditions should end his chances here. This is a really good field and another recent winner, Hadrian's Approach, will again have his backers after a superb ride by Geraghty at Ascot last time. He will certainly appreciate the step up in trip but comes up against others who will equally appreciate today's trip and I prefer them. Principally the two to focus on seem to be Highland Lodge and HARRY TOPPER. The former is one of his trainer's big hopes for the season and he will appreciate the cut in the ground, but ultimately he may find the concession of three pounds to Kim Bailey's gelding too much. I was really taken by the way he rallied at Exeter last time out, and that experience will stand him in good stead here. Makethe Mostofnow will also appreciate today's conditions but will need to improve, and the same may apply to Benefficient, who's form is hard to assess. This is a lot more competitive than his easy win at Down Royal and he may just come up short. 6/1 Betfred, Totesport

15.15 Newbury

Edgardo Sol instantly catches the eye at the top of the racecard, and arguably we need look no further once you take into account his extremely handy claimer. He was one of the most improved horses in training last season, and his second in the Haldon Gold Cup behind Cue Card was as good as could be expected. However he is another who may just find conditions against him today and instead VENDOR makes more appeal. He's won at Newbury before in soft conditions and his third in the Fred Winter behind Une Artiste may just be the strongest form on offer, considering he had to concede 8 pounds in total to Nicky Henderson's talented filly. I'm more than willing to forgive and overlook a poor run at Aintree last time, and he should have come on for that run. Lyvius currently heads the market, but his pedigree doesn't bode well for handling this ground. The outside threat could be Peckhamecho, who if not going off at an absurd pace like last time has a better chance of dealing with today's soft conditions than most. 10/3 Stan James

12.35 Taunton

OSCAR HILL comes back over the Irish Sea to race in a similar event to his victory last time, and looks set to enjoy a similar result here. He arrives in form, unlike his rivals, and looks set to go off a worthy short price favourite. 1/2 several

13.20 Uttoxeter

It's interesting that Jason Maguire goes to Uttoxeter to ride for Donald McCain rather than head to Newbury, but that shouldn't draw us too much to Grouse Lodge. Impressive when winning at the course two races ago, he didn't run particularly well behind Maggio last time out, and having to concede a stone to BIG SOCIETY once the latter's claimer is taken into account should prove too much for him. Big Society's first run over hurdles will have taught him plenty and after going down in the final part of the race, this looks a good opportunity to make amends. Of the rest, Cheat The Cheater looks most likely to cause the selection a problem. 5/4 several

13.35 Thurles

Sam Waley-Cohen takes the trip across the Irish Sea to ride Oscar Time, but he usually comes on for his seasonal reappearance and is sure to have other targets for the year. Allee Garde put up some good performances last season but has seemed to lose his way recently. Snooze will need to take a big step up here, and Florida Express has been out of the winner's enclosure for a long time and doesn't look set to return with this race. That leaves us with Berties Dream and FORPADYDEPLASTERER, who both pulled up last time out. However it seems like the latter will have had a much easier race and his excuse was poor jumping that day. He's clear on ratings and is taking a drop in class here, no doubt in search of a confidence boosting win, and should be able to find that today. UPDATE - appreciate with the 3 mile trip and heavy going, many of you will not fancy this 2009 Arkle winner to stay the trip, but I can't see them going a furious gallop and his jumping pedigree should be a big asset for him getting round. He's also 10 now, so stamina should be more his forte than speed. 11/4 William Hill

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer