Basford Worth A Bash

No easy pickings on Wednesday, where cloying conditions look the order of the day, but hopefully something can be salvaged from the mire, and both Newbury and Newcastle provide betting opportunities. Best bet at the latter venue is the leniently treated Basford Bob, who tackles the handicap hurdle at 14:10. He's won a bumper on heavy ground, which is encouraging, despite the pick of his hurdles form having come away from the mud. The key to Jennie Candlish's charge is that he's shown clear signs of revival on his last couple of starts having been given some rope by the handicapper, and he looks sure to cash in on his reduced mark soon.

Despite finishing only fifth over an extended three miles at Wetherby in early December, he shaped very well, only losing his chance after a bad mistake at the third last. The form of that race, won by Rattlin, is very solid for the grade, and Basford Bob built on that when a luckless third at Haydock last time, beaten less than a length behind No No Bingo despite the slow pace suiting the pair who beat him much better. The way he closed the gap all the way to the line there was most encouraging, and with the runner-up having franked that form since, he looks poised to regain winning ways. His achilles heel is his jumping, and he's unlikely to escape today's contest without blemish, but if he can keep the errors to a mimimum, he can prove too good for his rivals at the weights.

At Newbury, I'm keen to oppose the disappointing Dark Lover in the novice chase (13:20). He was left clear to win at Cheltenham on his chase bow, but needed reminders to keep going that day, and again looked far from in love with the game when falling at Exeter (clearly struggling at the time). He may bounce back after a break, but isn't making up into the top-notch chaser that his trainer thought he'd be. Brick Red, on the other hand, made a seamless transition to fences at Plumpton, albeit in a weak affair, and he was almost the equal of his main rival over hurdles. With speed being his main asset, he will be better suited by a tactical affair, and is a confident choice to lower the colours of the favourite.

In the three-mile handicap chase at 14:25, there are plenty to consider, but it may pay to take a chance on the inconsistent Handy Andy, who has run poorly on his last couple of starts, but seems to save his best behaviour for the Berkshire venue, and looked better than ever when winning at Cheltenham in November. He's a strong traveller who is best suited by a well-run race, and he looks certain to get that scenario today, so ought to trade short in the run despite a tendency to find less than expected for pressure. With a contested pace likely to see many of his rivals flagging in the home straight, he should have no excuses, and is taken to take his track record to four wins from five outings.

Recommendations:

Back Basford Bob @ [5.6] in the 14:10 Newcastle (NAP)

Back Brick Red @ [2.28] in the 13:20 Newbury

Back Handy Andy @ [15] in the 14:25 Newbury