2.00pm Newbury Tips & Betting Preview 14/12/2016

A high class field of 6 go to post for this graduation chase at Newbury, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A pretty classy field for this with a few well known names, and the tricky race can go to CAMPING GROUND. A classy hurdler and Grade 2 winner over the smaller obstacles, he wasn’t disgraced on chase debut when being outgunned by the very smart Josses Hill at Kempton in November. He can make amends today and get off the mark over fences at the expense of Drumacoo, who looked potentially smart when going to chasing earlier in the year.

1 CAMPING GROUND – A classy hurdler who won a Grade 2 in January, he made a good start to life over fences when not being disgraced to follow home Josses Hill in a straight match between the two at Kempton last month. That form was boosted by Josses Hill coming back out to dismiss the Peterborough Chase field and with time on his side, he’s handed the vote to get off the mark over fences.

2 COOLOGUE – Wasn’t persevered with over hurdles and went to fences from an early stage and has shown decent enough form, winning on debut back in October last year at Bangor (2m4f, Good). Won in October at Cheltenham (3m1f, Good) with a good display and pulled up in the Hennessey (3m1f, Good to Soft). Should run his race but potentially vulnerable to an improver.

3 JUST A PAR – 15th in The Grand National this year, he finished off his season when last seen being headed in the final stride in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown back in April (3m4f, Good). Clearly a classy sort and holds Three Faces West on previous, he has to be respected based upon his previous exploits but is entitled to need this run back.

4 THREE FACES WEST – Lightly raced 8yo who returned this season when pulling up at Cartmel but made amends when winning easily at Haydock last month (3m, Heavy). Held by Just A Par on previous meetings but he’s lightly raced for his age and is versatile ground wise so shouldn’t be discounted.

5 DRUMACOO – Lightly raced 7yo for the inform Ben Pauling yard who was last seen finishing 4th behind Vyta Du Roc, Minella Rocco and Le Mercurey at Ascot in February (2m7f, Soft). Looks potentially smart and needs a market check on return but may just need this run.

6 AQALIM – Decent enough hurdler and has been okay so far over fences, set some very tough tasks the last twice trying namely to beat Thistlecrack on both occasions. Has another tough task again today and probably best watched.