Today's Horse Racing Tips: Four selections across the action from Newbury & Newcastle

There are four bets for today’s racing at Newbury and Newcastle.

Newbury Tips

15:00 – 3m2f Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3)

FIDDLERONTHEROOF (1 point win bet at 8/1) warmed up for this with an impressive Listed win on his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle last month. That should have put him spot on for a crack at this prestigious handicap and with entries for both the King George and Gold Cup, this young chaser is clearly highly regarded by connections. Although only one of his seven chase starts last season resulted in victory, he finished second or third on every other occasion and ran in five consecutive Grade 1/2 races. The form of his second to Monkfish at the Cheltenham Festival looks strong and the step back up in trip should suit this Grade 1-winning hurdler.

I also think DEMACHINE (0.5 point win bet at 16/1) can run a big race on his first start since finishing second in a Grade 2 novice race at Ascot in February. A dual winner last season, this obviously represents a big step up in class but he goes well fresh, will like the ground and has reportedly been working well at home.

15:35 – 2m½f Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (Class 2) 

Trainer Venetia Williams has had a good start to the season and can land another winner courtesy of FRERO BANBOU (NAP – 1 point win bet at 9/2). His two runs earlier this year saw him win by an eased down 9-lenghts at Sandown before a solid placed effort in Grade 3 company at Aintree. The form of that race looks strong and he returned to action with a fourth-place finish at Ascot 28 days ago (sent off as favourite). He is likely to have come on for that reappearance run and can take advantage of this drop in class and 2lb lower handicap mark. He is generally a good jumper and should be fine on the ground.

Newcastle Tip

14:05 – 2m7½f Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Listed)

Conditions look set to be challenging for all concerned at Newcastle, where I fancy NOTACHANCE (0.5 point each-way bet at 12/1) to run well at a double figure price on his first start for 223 days. He can be forgiven his two pulled up efforts at the end of last season as he was found to have a hoof injury. Prior to that, he had looked a very smart, young staying chaser when winning the Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick. Today’s shorter trip won’t be his optimum but this is usually a good test of stamina and that is his strength. With three wins and two seconds from his eight chase starts to date, there could be plenty more to come.