3m2f Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
It’s hardly a high class renewal of the Coral Gold Cup, but it is an intriguing one where you could realistically give every horse a chance. Second-season chasers tend to do very well in this race and the two biggest potential improvers took each other on last time out in a handicap at Cheltenham in October and I want both of them onside for their repeat contest here.
BROADWAY BOY arguably jumped better than ever on his reappearance run and did a lot of the donkey work out in front during the race before fading late on up the hill. He was entitled to come on for the run and whilst the ground will be quick at Newbury tomorrow, it may not be quite as fast as it was at Cheltenham.
In his Novice campaign he put up some fine performances and missed an expected run at Cheltenham due to an illness. His yard have always thought of him as a graded horse so off a mark of 148, the same mark as last year’s winner, Broadway Boy must have some improvement off of it. He seems to stay all the day and has a strong chance.
SENIOR CHIEF is 10lbs worse-off with Broadway Boy for a 12 lengths for victory, but he looks like a hugely impressive sort that seemed to thrive off the faster ground at Cheltenham. Hendry De Bromhead is apparently targeting him at the Grand National so he clearly thinks a lot of his staying credentials. The way he jumped and travelled last time out means he should be able to sit handily in this affair.
Senior Chief was probably a tad unlucky not to add more honours to his name during his novice campaign, but as a result his mark of 151 may yet still underestimate him and despite his 9lbs rise in the weights, it would be folly to ignore his obvious credentials for this race.
1pt win Broadway Boy @6/1, 15:00 Newbury, Saturday
1pt win Senior Chief @6/1, 15:00 Newbury, Saturday