Newbury 2.51 – Race Preview

This looks like a strong 14-runner handicap for the grade (0-90) over Newbury’s galloping 1m 4f trip. With the race taking place in late October, the ground is likely to have some ease (recent form mentions Good-to-Soft), so proven stamina and an ability to handle cut in the ground will be crucial. Several progressive types clash with more established handicappers.

---

The Main Contenders

1. FOURONEOHFEVER (OR 92)
   • Why he’s the one to beat: Absolutely bolted up in a Class 4 handicap at Catterick just 6 days ago, winning by nearly 5 lengths with plenty in hand. He carries a penalty for that success, effectively running off a mark of 92 here (right at the top of the handicap), but he looked miles ahead of the handicapper that day. He handles good and good-to-soft ground, stays this trip well, and clearly arrives in peak form. If the quick turnaround isn’t an issue, he’s the one they all have to beat under Billy Loughnane again. 🔥
2. MAWOOD (OR 82)
   • Why he’s a contender: This 3-year-old is rapidly progressive and arrives seeking a hat-trick after wins at Redcar and Nottingham (both 1m 2f on Gd-Sft). He now steps up to 1m 4f for the first time, but his breeding suggests the trip will be well within reach, and he looked strong at the finish last time. He’s up another 3lbs but could still be improving faster than the handicapper can react. Handles conditions. Interesting contender.📈
3. FOREST GATE (OR 85)
   • Why he’s a contender: Ran a cracker last time out (34 days ago) to finish 3rd in a strong Class 2 handicap over 1m 2f here at Newbury on good-to-soft ground, suggesting he handles the course and conditions. His form before that this season was poor, but that latest run was much more like his promising form from last year (including a win on heavy). If he builds on that recent effort, he’s a player off this mark back down in Class 3.

---

Best of the Rest

• MACARI (OR 79): Extremely consistent performer who rarely runs a bad race. Finished 3rd over 1m 6f last time and was 3rd in a Class 3 over C&D in September. Importantly, he won over C&D on heavy ground last October, proving he handles demanding conditions here. Apprentice Rose Dawes takes off a valuable 5lb. Solid each-way claims. ✅
• JUST AN HOUR (OR 77): Another very reliable type, finishing 2nd over 1m 6f last time out. He’s won three times this season (including over 1m 4f) and handles good-to-soft. Consistent and likely to be involved.
• MIDNIGHT RUMBLE (OR 83): Put in two excellent efforts to finish 2nd on his last two starts (including over 1m 4f) on good and good-to-soft ground. Rarely runs a bad race and should be competitive again.
• CRYSTAL FLYER (OR 88): Often runs well in good races (placed in Class 3 last time) but finds winning difficult. Handles conditions and the trip but looks vulnerable off this mark.

---

Verdict

This is a deep handicap. Fouroneohfever was visually impressive winning just six days ago and could simply be improving too quickly for the handicapper, making him the most likely winner despite the penalty. The progressive 3-year-old Mawood looks the biggest danger stepping up in trip. For an each-way play, course winner MACARI loves these conditions, stays well, and has a handy apprentice claim.

1. Fouroneohfever
2. Mawood
3. Macari