Thyme Hill can continue to advertise his potential with victory in the Betway Challow Hurdle (3pm) at Newbury on Saturday afternoon.
Philip Hobbs’ five-year-old has won both his starts over obstacles this season and can land a first Grade One success in the feature in Berkshire.
Thyme Hill is currently the 8-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and a 14-1 chance for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. And he can enhance those claims for victory at Prestbury Park by bringing up a hat-trick.
The Kayf Tara gelding opened his account over hurdles with an excellent victory in the Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on his seasonal return in October.
He followed that up with an even better success in another Grade Two at Cheltenham stepped up to 2m5f, beating Champagne Well by a comfortable three lengths.
He faces another unbeaten hurdler and course and distance winner The Cashel Man, but he can come out on top to keep on the road to the Cheltenham Festival.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Cobolobo can win the Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase (2.25pm).
The seven-year-old claimed a first win in five starts over fences at Haydock last time and he can follow up at Newbury.
One For Rosie can make a winning return in the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle (1.50pm).
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ six-year-old had a profitable first year over hurdles, winning twice and being placed on his other three outings including in Grade One company at the Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse on his most recent start in April.
He was also placed first initially at Sandown after a mix-up over the winning post before being given as the runner-up.
One For Rosie looks a progressive hurdler and can continue on the upgrade with another victory.
The Tom Lacey-trained Kateson can go one better than when second on his debut over fences at Exeter with victory in the Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.35pm).
Others who may score at Newbury are Twiston-Davies’ Vienna Court in the Betway Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (12.05pm); the Colin Tizzard-trained Premiumaccess in the Betway ‘Introductory’ Hurdle (12.40pm); and Richard Hobson’s course and distance winner Defi Sacre in the Betway Handicap Chase (For The Hallowe’En Trophy) (1.15pm).
At Catterick the Stuart Coltherd-trained Waldendorf can win the Buy Your 2020 Annual Badge Today Handicap Chase (Northern Lights Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (2.30pm).
The six-year-old is in good form at present and having won at Wetherby and finished second at Carlisle on his two most recent starts can score again.
The Neil Kent-trained Who’s In The Box should be able to win the Go Racing In Yorkshire Winter Festival Maiden Hurdle (12.45pm).
Others who may score at Catterick are the Sue Smith-trained What’s The Scoop in the Steve ‘Pinky’ Newland Retirement Novices’ Handicap Chase (1.20pm); Harry Whittington’s Designer Destiny in the #jumpingforjoy On Racing TV mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Nhmops Bonus Race) (1.55pm); and Peter’s Portrait in the Racing Again New Year’s Day Handicap Hurdle (3.05pm).
Wright Ones
NEWBURY
12.05pm Vienna Court
12.40pm Premiumaccess
1.15pm Defi Sacre
1.50pm One For Rosie (NAP)
2.25pm Cobolobo
3pm Thyme Hill
3.35pm Kateson
CATTERICK
12.10pm Pinch Of Ginger
12.45pm Who’s In The Box
1.20pm What’s The Scoop
1.55pm Designer Destiny
2.30pm Warendorf
3.05pm Peter’s Portrait
LEICESTER
12.55pm Captain Blackpearl
1.30pm Hazzaar
2.05pm Itchy Feet
2.40pm Night Of Sin
3.15pm Masters Apprentice
3.45pm Delface
LINGFIELD
11.55am Garth Rockett
12.25pm Beat The Breeze
1pm Mutalahef
1.35pm Real Estate
2.10pm Sir Prize
2.45pm Indigo Lake
3.20pm Bridgewater Bay
SUNDAY’S NAP: Bob Mahler (2.45pm Doncaster)
Haydock Park set for final fixture of 2019 featuring The Last Fling Chase
Haydock Park hosts its final fixture of 2019 on Monday (December 30) with The Last Fling Handicap Chase the feature contest of the afternoon.
It is another another seven-race card featuring The Last Fling Chase which is named after Sue Smith’s former smart chaser, who won the race in 2000.
There are currently 13 entries for the 3m4f contest which includes two former course and distance winners in the Michael Scudamore-trained Mysteree and Fergal O’Brien’s Perfect Candidate, who scored at the Merseyside track on his most recent start in November.
Lord Du Mesnil – who won the Tommy Whittle Chase last weekend – is still entered as well as One Style, who has won his last four starts and hails from the Grand National-winning stable of Venetia Williams.
The Ludy Wadham-trained Potters Legend and Thomas Patrick are other possibles.
Gates open at 10.25am with the opener, the Bryn Gates Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle which has 23 entries at present, off at 12.25pm.
The finale, the Platt Bridge Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race currently has 27 entries, and is due off at 3.35pm with the feature, with The Last Fling Chase, at 2pm.
The current going at the Merseyside track is heavy, soft in places.
Prices start at £17 for the Grandstand and Paddock.
It is £29 for the County Enclosure, while there are hospitality packages available on 01942 402624. For tickets and details at http://www.haydock.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/ or on the ticketing hotline 0344 579 300.
