Newbury looks interesting, though we could do with a drop of rain before Thursday

Alan will be at Newbury on Thursday for the first jumps meeting of the season at our local course, and in Masaccio and Emitom he has two clear-cut chances.

Emitom, whose rating has soared 15lb since he joined the Barbury team 21 months ago, has become something of a Newbury specialist, boasting three wins and a second from just four visits.

The fact that Emitom has not raced since finishing a creditable fifth in the Pertemps Final at last season’s Cheltenham Festival in March should not be a problem as he has always been at his best fresh.

However, though Emitom has only three opponents, they include the Pertemps winner Monmiral, so it is a small but select field, and our fellow does prefer a bit of give in the ground so a shower or two over the next 36 hours would be welcome.

Alan said:”Emitom loves Newbury, and, though he’s coming up 11, he seems to retain plenty of ability and is moving  very well at home just now.”

Emitom kick-starts an interesting half-hour for Barbury, with next up being the chasing debut of the highly-rated Masaccio. who was one of a fistful of novice hurdlers we have been schooling for a switch to fences.

Yet again, we have a small field, with Masaccio one of only six runners, and, like Emitom, his chance would be enhanced if there was a bit of juice in the ground.

Alan said:”Masaccio has schooled well and has looked to really love jumping the fences at home. He was a decent horse over hurdles, and, though he has never been the best of movers in his slower paces, he is moving well at the moment.”