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Remind me next time

It's Grade 1 action over hurdles at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon when they stage the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Britain's pre-eminent early-season two-mile hurdles contest.

The recent roll of honour includes Harchibald, Go Native, My Tent Or Yours, Irving, Buveur D'Air and, last year, Epatante. The mare provided Nicky Henderson with his sixth win and she'll be attempting to further embellish his record tally in the Newcastle feature now. We've picked out three to follow on the Newcastle card. 

Saturday Newcastle NAP

14:40 Newcastle

Donna's Double to win and each-way - BET NOW

 

The Sandy Thomson-trained Donna's Double was a 9/1 chance in his bumper debut at this venue in March but he made light of those odds, keeping on gamely from the rear off what was a fairly sedate pace to win under Ryan Mania. 

It wasn't the strongest of bumpers by any measure but it was a very likeable performance and with the trainer amongst the winners of late, Donna's Double should be set fair for this hurdling bow, again in what doesn't look to any kind of elite company. The 5YO is fancied to remain unbeaten. 

Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Tips

15:15 Newcastle

Epatante to win - BET NOW

 

It's perhaps a minor shock to find reigning champion Epatante odds-against as she gets set to take on five rivals. She had Sceau Royal (second) and Voix Du Reve (fourth) well held in winning this race a year ago, while Not So Sleepy (ran out) and Silver Streak (carried out) were the leading protagonists in a calamitous start to that race. 

At his best, Silver Streak has a chance but the remaining trio will do well to lower the colours of Epatante. She failed to win any of the three Grade 1s she contested subsequently last season but reports from Seven Barrows are suggesting the 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine is firing on all cylinders.

The main danger on the betting is Monmiral for Paul Nicholls. The French import won his only start at Auteuil and is 4-4 for Britain's champion trainer, including the Grade 1 Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in spring. 

Trusting a 4YO to step into open company and continue that sort of streak is not always advised, though it's noted Nicholls comes here over other options at Newbury. Monmiral is very talented but he's got to give 7lb to the mare and, if she's on form, that may be asking too much.

Newcastle Racing Prediction

14:05 Newcastle

Glen Forsa to win and each-way - BET NOW

 

Glen Forsa was typically ridden aggressively on last month's stable bow for Charlie Longsdon at Ascot (3m, soft) and the lightly-raced nine-year-old mostly jumped well before clearly tiring late on in what was his first start for 204 days having moved to this yard from Mick Channon.

Despite winning a novice chase win at Chepstow over three miles in November 2018 on his first start over fences, that Ascot run was only a second for Glen Forsa at the trip and he could have more to offer at this distance now with his fitness boosted along with a move to this less demanding track. 

A Grade 2-winning novice, he lost his way somewhat last season but, in first-time tongue-tie, that recent stable bow offered hope he can be got back on track. Down to a mark of 136 now, he's one of the interesting ones in the Listed Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Gosforth Park.

Newcastle Betting Tips

1. Donna's Double to win and each-way - BET NOW

2Epatante to win - BET NOW

3. Glen Forsa to win and each-way - BET NOW

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Newcastle Racing Betting Tips