Favourite Broomfield Burg bids to roll back the years for JP McManus and Nicky Henderson in the Betfair Hurdle (3.35).
The leading owner and trainer combined to win the £155,000 race in 2013 with My Tent Or Yours.
As the tapes went up, the six-year-old headed the betting at 5-1 and he won impressively under AP McCoy.
He had three runs over hurdles going into it, one less than this year's candidate, a ten length winner at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Henderson is the top trainer in the race over the past 20 renewals, but three apiece have gone to Gary Moore and Nigel Twiston-Davies.
They are both represented in this year's contest, by Fifty Ball and Royaume Uni for the first-named and I Like To Move It.
Last year's winner Soaring Glory also lines up once again.
Paul Nicholls, who has taken the Betfair Hurdle twice in that time period, has a number of key runners on the card.
Clan Des Obeaux, the Betfair Denman Chase (2.25) favourite, is among them.
Race-by-race tips for Newbury
1.15 – Betfair Cheltenham Roarcast Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
1 Bravemansgame
2 Grumpy Charley
3 Pats Fancy
4 Fern Hill
5 Gallyhill
6 I K Brunel
TIPPING VERDICT: The presence of BRAVEMANSGAME means half of the six-runner field race from out of the handicap. Rated 159, trainer Paul Nicholls gives the chaser his Cheltenham warm-up on the back of his defeat of Ahoy Senor at Kempton on Boxing Day. The runner-up did not run to his true ability that day but there is no doubting he bumped into a classy performer. His neat jumping is an asset and he is expected to come into his own over the fences at Prestbury Park next month. Nicholls seems pleased with his horses at home despite the yard's quiet spell and the seven-year-old can end the winning run of Pats Fancy.
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1.50 – Daily Rewards With Betfair Handicap Hurdle
1 The Big Breakaway
2 Risk And Roll
3 Polish
4 The Brimming Water
5 Whatsupwithyou
6 Butler's Brief
7 Couer De Lion
8 Sussex Ranger
TIPPING VERDICT: Improving sort THE BRIMMING WATER is fancied to take the second race on the card. Sam Drinkwater, who saddled a winner at this Grade 1 track recently, has watched his charge make good progress over obstacles. He defeated a useful rival on his penultimate start and ran solidly off today's mark subsequently. The son of Yeats travelled well but was stopped in his tracks by a late mistake and a tongue tie could help him see it out better. Whatsupwithyou is nicely weighted if he races with more zest, while course and distance scorer Polish has conditions to suit.
2.25 – Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2)
1 Clan Des Obeaux
2 Eldorado Allen
3 Imperial Aura
4 Royale Pagaille
5 De Rasher Counter
TIPPING VERDICT: Venetia Williams' stable is operating at a 31 per cent strike rate in the past fortnight and 2021 Gold Cup sixth ROYALE PAGAILLE has plenty in his favour. A revelation last season, his Cheltenham run can be upgraded considering he picked up a foot injury. No match for this year's favourite for the blue riband event, A Plus Tard, in the Betfair Chase, he posted a terrific performance under top weight in the Peter Marsh. That was a most determined effort off a BHA rating of 163 and he must be in top form to be out again here.
3.00 – Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2)
1 Sceau Royal
2 (Non-runner)
3 Sky Pirate
4 Funambule Sivola
5 Hitman
TIPPING VERDICT: Just the four runners with Editeur Du Gite a late absentee. He was the natural front runner in the line-up, a most of these have a habit of sitting in behind the pace. Hitman appeared to reach the front sooner than ideal at Exeter, losing some concentration and a tactical event does not look ideal. FUNAMBULE SIVOLA seems a little more versatile and enjoyed the return to two miles recently, so perhaps Charlie Deutsch will go forward and make it an honest gallop. The admirable Sceau Royal, the winner 12 months ago, lacks a recent run over fences but will be a threat to the selection if taking it in his stride.
3.35 – Betfair Hurdle (Grade 3)
1 Soaring Glory
2 Tritonic
3 Glory And Fortune
4 First Street
5 I Like To Move It
6 Knappers Hill
7 Boothill
8 Broomfield Burg
9 Jetoile
10 Fifty Ball
11 JPR One
12 Howdyalikemenow
13 Royaume Uni
14 Lord Baddesley
TIPPING VERDICT: Broomfield Burg looked all over the winner Lively Citizen at Cheltenham's December meeting, yet found less than expected up the hill. This flat track will be to his liking judged on his smooth Kempton effort with the hood removed. There will surely be more to come in big fields like this, although he does not look obviously well handicapped on the bare form. Nico de Boinville's mount has suggested he does have more gears than JPR One, a useful prospect for the future. He races more like a stayer and his lack of experience might find him out. Jetoile is on the upgrade from a workable mark, while last year's winner Soaring Glory relishes a big field and is respected. The tentative vote though goes to ROYAUME UNI. Trainer Gary Moore has an excellent record in the race and has brought the five-year-old along steadily. His form ties in nicely with a couple of these, including Broomfield Burg and Jamie Moore takes the ride despite the presence of 2021 second Fifty Ball.
4.10 – My Odds Boost On Betfair Novices' Hurdle
1 Sonigino
2 Great Heart'Jac
3 Groom De Cotte
4 King Ottokar
5 Make My Day
6 Matchmaking
7 Phoenix Aquilus
8 Shalott
9 Storm Hill
10 Surtitle
11 Jaramillo
12 Saligo Bay
TIPPING VERDICT: King Ottokar was a 90-plus rated performer on the Flat and starts out for the Henderson team. Connections hoped he would be Group class but his form gradually declined and his attitude could be called into question. He is not one to be taking a short price about, despite the prospect of a new challenge sparking a change in fortunes. Gary Moore, who has a strong challenge in the feature, saddles MAKE MY DAY. He was on the up when last seen on the level – and the trainer has talented novice Shallwehaveonemore, racing in the same colours, to compare him with. The experienced Sonigino steps out of a handicap and is the main threat despite conceding the double penalty.
4.45 – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Listed)
1 Timeforatune
2 Astronomic View
3 Authorised Speed
4 Ballyglass
5 Basford
6 Dusky Days
7 Filanderer
8 Hullnback
9 Libberty Hunter
10 Tchoupinminzac
11 Top Dog
12 Mamoon Star
13 Rosy Redrum
TIPPING VERDICT: Authorised Speed excelled over course and distance 24 days ago and is respected. All bar two of the 13 runners have won previously – and TOP DOG is one with a couple of places to his name. Unlucky to to win at Cheltenham, when he drifted across the track, he was third to the useful Henry The Second at Ascot, a place behind Authorised Speed. He had more ground the make up than that rival, in a race dominated by the front runner and there is more value in his price. Hullnback's stable have a good record in bumpers and he took the eye with the manner of his Chepstow victory. Rosy Redrum gets weight from the whole field and is high up on the shortlist.
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