🏇 Newbury Super Saturday: The Full Report

Another big Saturday is upon us. We just need the rain to behave.

The big meeting is at Newbury - or ‘Super Saturday’ as it’s otherwise known.

The big race is the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. Lots of runners at big prices - the current second favourite is Let It Rain…typical.

This race threw up winners at 50-1, 33-1, 20-1 & 16-1 from 2007 to 2016, but it’s been calmer since, with findable winners at 5-2, 3-1, 9-2, 11-2 & 8-1. The PR Team has ratings for that race later.

This weekend’s racing is also very important.

Why? Valentine's Day - next Saturday. And, this weekend could decide the quality of gift our loved ones receive - luxury red roses or Cadbury’s Roses?

So, what else is happening?

A quality card at Warwick featuring several races could point up clues for the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival. Our own shrewdie, The Purist, has his eye on the Midlands track - more on that below.

Naas also stage a good card on Sunday. This track has proven a solid signpost for Cheltenham in recent years.

As for the subject of Cheltenham…

You will have heard all the noise about the Cheltenham Festival, and the 2026 renewal is only five weeks away.

Put simply, Cheltenham is the Olympics of winter National Hunt racing - AKA jumps racing.

All the main jumps racing takes place from October onwards, and reaches a crescendo at Cheltenham in mid-March, where the championship races take place. This decides the top chaser, the top hurdler, the top stayer, the top novice, etc.

And, punters love it. So do the Irish, who bring their best horses over to do battle with the Brits.

But it doesn’t end at Cheltenham. A few weeks later is Aintree, where the Grand National takes place, and where several Cheltenham stars always reappear.

Then, onto the Punchestown Festival over in Ireland during late-April. This is where rematches galore take place from Cheltenham...and, of course, more drinking.

It’s all to look forward to.

But, before zooming in on this weekend, a recap…

It only seems minutes ago there was turkey on the plate, now the talk is of pancakes. In other words, January is over.

So, let’s take a quick look at which trainers and jockeys headlined during the first five weekends of the year.

Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins - both top trainers in Britain and Ireland - went hammer and tongs in January. Skelton just edged it.

Both remain ‘go-to’ trainers throughout February, and things are teeing up nicely for the Battle of Cheltenham in March. Who knows, they may have to settle it via arm-wrestling in the Guinness Tent. Pay-per-view?

Cheltenham Chat:

Last Sunday, Leopardstown staged a very reliable trial for Cheltenham, won by Talk The Talk. He’s 3-4 over hurdles and has ‘learned from every race’. You’ll see him next in the opening race at Cheltenham where is 9-2 to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Marine Nationale didn’t enjoy the Leopardstown mud on Monday, but still finished second. Connections expect a ‘different’ result on drier ground at Cheltenham (5-2 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase).

One who did handle the mud ‘very well’ to win at Fairyhouse on Tuesday was Oldschool Outlaw. While unbeaten over hurdles on soft/heavy ground, she’s yet to jump a hurdle on drier ground (7-2 for Cheltenham’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle).

A faller in three of his last four races, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, Constitution Hill makes his Flat debut at Southwell on February 20 as a confidence-booster. He’s 4-1 to win the title back.

Elsewhere:

If you fancy an early sighter of the 2026 Grand National names, the entries came out in midweek. We think footy fans may like French Dynamite.

The talk has been of one trainer to follow:

Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies (father and son, by the way).

In January, they had a return of just 3 wins from 44 runners.

Already in February, they’ve recorded 3 wins from 8 runners.

Here are their Saturday runners:

12.40 Warwick - Leader Crik
2.25 Warwick - Guard Your Dreams
2.45 Newbury - Master Chewy
3.20 Newbury - Un Sens A La Vie 

The following records for this weekend’s tracks are based on the last 12 months.

Note those highlighted.

Saturday:

Sunday:

► ITV (free): Newbury 1.00, 1.35, 2.10, 2.45 & Warwick 1.15, 1.50, 2.25
► Sky Sports Racing (free): Newbury, Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell
► Racing UK (subscription): Chelmsford, Naas, Navan, Warwick

40 - Days until the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

15 - In-form jockey, Mark Walsh, rode 15 winners at Saturday’s Naas meeting

8 - Navan’s 4.20 on Sunday was won by the favourite in 8 of the last 10 years

7 - Since 1997, nine runners arrived for the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (1.50 Warwick), having raced at Kempton last time out - seven won.

4 - Trainer, Gordon Elliott, won the 3.25 at Naas four times in the last six years

Saturday - 3.20 Newbury, William Hill Hurdle (Premier Handicap), 2m

Hear'Say knew their stuff with the 2001 hit ‘Pure and Simple’.

It’s how things should be done.

THE SHORT PRICE - Mambonumberfive (1.50, Warwick)

Unbeaten in three chases. Impressed last time and wants ‘slower ground’. He’ll get that alright.

THE MEDIUM PRICE - Amazonian Dream (3.30, Lingfield Park)

Gets behind at the start, but cheekpieces are now fitted to help him concentrate (might have to get some for the PR Team).

THE BIG(GEST) PRICE - Guard Your Dreams (2.25, Warwick)

Handles heavy ground, goes well after a break, and yard in good form.

And yes, it really has been 25 years since Myleene & Kym hit our screens.

Young Irish jockey, Michael Kenneally, rode five straight winners in midweek (27 in total). Until he rides 40 winners, an allowance of 5lb of lead weight can be removed from his saddle. Take note.

The Paddock Team’s international contacts have been in touch. We received word of a wonder-horse in America that stopped the clock last weekend. He could be Kentucky Derby-bound (May 2). The name, Nearby.

The ‘talking horse’ late on Friday is Milldam (3.20 Newbury). Market support came following every drop of rain. His record on heavy ground is 4-5.

And, finally..

..yes, it’s still raining.

The PR Team is already doing their homework for next weekend - researching which supermarket sells the cheapest roses.

They’ll be back to share some love next Friday.

Until then, keep ‘em peeled.