Newbury stages a strong meeting on Saturday and it is worth backing Mad Jack Mytton to repel the McManus charge in the feature
The Newbury 3.35 is an extremely competitive race with 22 runners set to go to post.
For that reason it could be worth looking past those at shorter prices and looking for some value. Selection therefore is Mad Jack Mytton, who is currently a 22/1 shot.
This could represent excellent each way-value with four places being paid.
He is a horse who has hit the frame in seven of his eight starts over hurdles and the only time he failed to hit the frame was when he was a no-show in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November.
He was well-fancied that day and can be forgiven that one poor run.
Most recently he was second at Cheltenham behind a hugely progressive rival. This represents a fair level of form and could put him in with a chance on Saturday.
He had two wins last spring, has showed further improvement this term and a big performance in a race of this nature seems within his capabilities.
The main challengers seem to be those sporting the J.P McManus silks.
Currently 4/1 favourite is Blazer and the choice of Barry Geraghty. He has an obvious chance given his easy win last weekend in a handicap at Leopardstown.
He has been very well supported in the market in the build-up to this race and the price now seems to have very little value.
The other main hope in those colours is Modus, who is currently an 8/1 shot and could be well treated on his handicap debut. He was a very good bumper performer last season and finished second in the Champion Bumper.
He is two from three over hurdles and his only defeat was on desperate ground which can be forgiven.
Houblon Des Obeaux to land the Denman Chase at Newbury
Houblon Des Obeaux may be winless since 2013, but he is a horse who has put in several fine efforts in defeat.
He seems to show some of his best form at Newbury, including a second in this race last year. That was behind eventual Gold Cup winner Coneygree.
It seems a much easier task this year and 7/2 looks a fair price.
He was fourth in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time out and that is a solid level of form. He has cheek pieces applied on Saturday and that could help him lift his form again.
Main challenger could be 7/4 favourite Rocky Creek. When at his best he is a very good horse, but his form has been slightly hit and miss recently.
A repeat of his second at Down Royal in October would give him a good chance of success on Saturday. However, he was pulled up on his most recent run and needs a slight revival.
For that reason he is overlooked given his short price.
Argocat to make a winning debut for Nicky Henderson in Newbury 1.50
Argocat makes his stable debut for Nicky Henderson and is on a lower hurdles rating compared to his chase mark. He runs off 134 on Saturday which is 22 lbs lower than his chase mark.
He has competed at a high level over fences recently and could have a very good chance over hurdles on Saturday.
Main challenger could be Batavir. He was a hugely progressive horse last year but has failed to replicate that form this season.
If he got back to his form from last year he would have a brilliant chance.
There could be some excuses for his poor performances this year with his trainer David Pipe struggling for form at the start of the season.
Narrow preference, however, goes to Argocat.
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