2.10pm Newbury Tips & Betting Preview 25/11/2016

A strong renewal of this Grade 2 Hurdle which may throw up some pointers for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Snow Falcon won nicely in a Grade 2 at Navan 12 days ago and is clearly on a roll and his master trainer clearly thinks he’s well enough to let him take his chances in this. Ballyoptic was clearly in contention when taking a tumble in the last in a Grade 2 at Wetherby last month and he is sure to go close if recovering from that but the selection is UNOWHATIMEANHARRY, who was an impressive winner of the Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March, and can confirm himself as a leading contender for the World Hurdle if he can take this on his first start of the season in what looks a mouth-watering contest on paper.

1 Reve De Sivola – Looked as good as ever when winning the Rendlesham Hurdle in February. Was struggling last time out at Auteuil earlier in the month and could only manage 7^th that day. Six-time Grade 1 winner and should be sharper for that run but not getting any younger and may just find this a tough ask against younger rivals today.

2 Snow Falcon – Beat Gordon Elliot’s De Plotting Shed in a Grade 2 at Navan 12 days ago and looked better than ever getting up the hat-trick to win by 3 ¼ lengths. Up in trip here and more needed but should run his race and can’t be ignored in this form.

3 Ballyoptic – Very smart Hurdler this year winning 4 races in a row at Ffos Las, Uttoxeter, Aintree and finally at Chepstow last month. Fell in a Grade 2 at Wetherby on his last start when going well and challenging at the last there should be more to come from him if he is over that tumble.

4 Ubak – Won a decent Grade 3 Hurdle at Aintree back in April, staying on well to win by 1 ¾ lengths that day. That return to form was promising and made a decent return, again at Aintree last month, when finishing 5^th behind Massini’s Trap. Will need a lot more to get involved here.

5 Unowhatimeanharry – Exemplary over hurdles last year with 5 wins,  culminating in success in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in April. Keeps on improving and will be exciting again this term. Big player.

6 Maximiser – Only 6 career runs including wins on his 2^nd and 3^rd outings when an easy winner at Carlisle and then Haydock. Finished a decent 2^nd in a Listed event at Auteuil last time out in March. Clearly has plenty of ability but will no doubt need the run having been off for 8 months and much more needed at this level.

7 Menorah – High class Chaser on his day including a fine 2^nd in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last month going down ¾ of a length to Irish Cavalier. Was top class Hurdler at one point but hasn’t had a run over Hurdles since 2011. Wears cheek-pieces today for only the 2^nd time and will no doubt find some of the younger horses a bit too quick today.

8 Shades Of Midnight – Won a couple of good Handicaps at Kelso and Ayr earlier in the Spring on Heavy ground. Only 6^th of 11 on seasonal debut at Carlisle last month and looks up against it here.

9 The Romford Pele – Won a decent Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on his seasonal re-appearance last month, comfortably beating Young Dillon from the Dr Richard Newland yard by 2 ½ lengths. Beaten fair and square 27 days ago at Wetherby in a Grade 2 won by Paul Nicholls’ Silsol and others look to have his measure here.