3.45pm Newbury Tips & Betting Preview 03/11/2016

The penultimate race on Newbury’s card is a competitive Class 3 handicap. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Peter The Mayo Man goes into his toughest race yet but is unexposed and on the upgrade so has to be feared. ASTRE DE LA COUR may well have needed his comeback run at Ffos Las and has competed at this level previously to good effect. If coming on for his recent return he may well be hard to beat if revisiting his early 2015 form.

1 BARIZAN – Holds claims on his 2nd off of the same mark in a Group 3 handicap back in May at Haydock. However he hasn’t won since 2013 and is very hit and miss on older form, so it may pay to look elsewhere.

2 ASTRE DE LA COUR – Posted some very solid efforts at he beginning of 2015, the highlight of which when winning at Aintree back in April that year (2m, Good). May well have needed the run when returning this season in the Welsh Champion Hurdle (1m7f, Good to Soft) and has won at this level previously and higher. If coming back to a similar level as his early 2015 form he may well be hard to beat in this.

3 PETER THE MAYO MAN – Very progressive and on the upgrade as evidenced when winning well for the 2nd time in September at Warwick (2m, Good). Other than a slight blip at Bangor back in March he’s been improving with every run and if improving even further he should be in the shake up. This however is his toughest test yet but still needs to be taken very seriously.

4 THE GIPPER – Front running gelding who was 3-5 last season when switching to hurdles from bumpers, holding his form well. Returns this season to what looks like a tough mark so may struggle today for a yard that certainly isn’t on the hot list.

5 CLAYTON – Posted some good efforts last season, the highlight of which when a good 2nd at Warwick back in April (2m, Soft). Has to be of interested with a decent mark on seasonal debut, but would probably prefer it softer than it is currently, which is concern.

6 BARMAN – Notched up 4 wins last season, and is only 1lb higher for his latest triumph at Warwick back in September (2m, Good). Should make a bold bid for the powerful Henderson stable but does need to improve, and he did fall latest at Chepstow when beginning to tread water.

7 AUENWIRBEL – Showed some promise in France for G Macaire, but didn’t show anything like the required standard for a race like this for Laura Young last season. Look elsewhere.

myracing Forecast Prices: 2/1 Barman, 3/1 Peter The Mayo Man, 7/2 Astre De La Cour, 4/1 Clayton, 8/1 Barizan, 16/1 The Gipper, 33/1 Auenwirbel