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THE final big day of trials races take place at Newbury this afternoon on what is sure to be very testing ground following the persistent and heavy rains over the past 10 days. The big betting event is the Newbury Handicap Hurdle (3.20) and a field of 16 will go to post with the betting headed by the Dan Skelton trained LET IT RAIN.

This mare looked to be sauntering to victory at Ascot before fitness became an issue after the second last and she finished three-quarters of a length third off Dance And Glance, giving the winner 4lbs and is a pound better off at the weights. But that race should have put a nice edge on the mare and as long as she handles the hock-deep ground, I expect her to prove a huge blot on the handicap. 

It is of course subjective as to whether you think 3/1 is value in a race of this nature, but she does stand out from a handicap perspective like a sore thumb. If you want to have an each-way play at much bigger odds, then my best double figure price fancy would be MILLDAM. Unlike the selection this grey gelding is thoroughly exposed, but he is guaranteed to relish the conditions and is back down to his last winning rating. There was also plenty to like about his fifth of 16 at Windsor last time out and courtesy of Isabelle Ryder’s claim, he is 5lbs lower here.

Welsh Grand National hero Haiti Couleurs looks set to go off at odds-on for the Denman Chase, but even at that price, on quicker ground I would be reluctant to back him and the evergreen L’HOMME PRESSE (2.10) has to be the call.

Soft ground will always be his prime set up and I can forgive him for his second in the Cotswold Chase, as he was giving fully 6lbs up to Spillane’s Tower in what was a stop start event. This should be his peak run now that he has two races under his belt this season and I think he can run the finish out of the short priced favourite.

The Grade Two Game Spirit Chase (2.45) has a bigger than usual field headed by star novice Lulamba, but 4/5 looks very much on the short side for this talented performer, but up against senior and more experienced opponents.

If you could guarantee to me that Libberty Hunter would put in a clear round of fencing, then he should be right at the sharp end on the run to the last obstacle, but his fencing has gone to pot in the last three races and a better percentage call could well be last year’s winner MASTER CHEWY (beat Libberty Hunter by a length and a quarter). 

The selection has been running over two and a half and three miles this season, but to me has always been a dyed-in-the-wool two miler, especially when there is enough pace put in the race which should happen here. The deep ground is also a positive and although the nine-year-old has to give weight away all round, I think he could be good enough in a below par strength in depth renewal.

The three-mile handicap hurdle due off at 1.35 looks sure to be a real stamina sapping event, with five of the nine entries likely to be racing at or near the sharp end from the outset.

That could well play into the hands of KYNTARA who finally gets her ground for the first time over hurdles since running Monmiral to a length and a quarter at Cheltenham Festival in 2024. Of course, nearly two years on, I am basing my conclusion on the premise that she still retains all of her ability. She is 2lbs lower than for that run and is versatile tactically.

KNIGHT OF ALLEN (3.55) looks a solid each-way call in the Novices’ Handicap Chase, while the highly rated NO WALKOVER (4.30) has a cracking chance of going three for three in the closing Listed bumper.

At Warwick, the ground will be just as testing this afternoon and sadly only three will go to post for the Kingmaker Chase and STEEL ALLY (1.50) can successfully give up 2lbs to Mambonumberfive.

If KNAPPERS HILL (2.25) can handle the deep ground, I think he looks too good for his fellow old boys in the Warwick Veterans’ Chase. He always travels like a class horse and it is worth remembering that this will be only his fifth chase start and a rating of 145 looks well within his compass and he is taken to see off Le Milos and Outlaw Peter. The last named looks overpriced at around the 20/1 mark and in receipt of 10lbs, he could make Paul Nicholls’s charge work hard for his money.

The Opera Hat Mares’ Chase at Naas looks a shallow renewal and last year’s winner DINOBLUE (4.00) will be the one to beat. Despite the fact that I really don’t think that she is as good as she was at the same time last year, the daughter of Doctor Dino has plenty in hand on the official figures over her five rivals.

But if you are looking for a value bet on the card, have a second look at HALF A CHANCE (2.50) in the extended two mile handicap hurdle. The seven-year-old wasn’t really suited by the stop start pace last time out at Thurles and off a quicker beat here could prove hard to hold in the closing stages.

There are two all-weather meetings today and several interesting plays. Top of my betting shop will be BRODIE’S BOY in the class six handicap at Southwell over a mile and a half at 7.00. The Tony Carroll charge just needs to settle a bit better than his last two runs.

Later on, BRAZILIAN BELLE (8.30) looks sure to be hard to hold in the five furlong handicap, while the best wager at Lingfield Park could be TADREEB (1.45) as long as the eight-year-old has a solid pace to run at.