Jumps racing fans will be in heaven tomorrow, with the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and the Grade 1 Pertemps 'Fighting Fifth' Hurdle at Newcastle.
Previous winners Intersky Falcon and The French Furze face tough competition at Newcastle.
Ante-post favourite Inglis Drever, a top-flight novice last season, spearheads the Fighting Fifth line-up but the switch back to two miles after proving himself more of a stayer last season could count against Howard Johnson's runner.
With Intersky Falcon lacking a previous run and coming from the Jonjo O'Neill stable, which is going through an indifferent run, the best propostion in could be Irish raider Harchibald, a fine winner at Punchestown last week.
That success by Noel Meade's gelding was achieved at the main expense of Back In Front and Macs Joy, two high-class horses. If that form can be treated literally then Paul Carberry's mount could well scoop this £75,000 prize. He is awarded my Nap vote.
At Newbury, all eyes will be on Celestial Gold in the £120,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup as he bids to complete a notable double, following his recent success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Martin Pipe's progressive gelding plainly has solid claims but at 9-4 he offers little value to the everyday punter.
Perhaps more tempting is the 6-1 on offer for Ollie Magern who, although fourth behind Celestial Gold at Cheltenham, has every chance of turning the tables on 6lb better terms.
Given a forceful ride from the front last time, he will be helped by this longer trip and looks a knocking each-way wager.
This cracking race also has the likes of recent winner Royal Auclair, Irish challenger Nil Desperandum and Howard Johnson's exciting, but lightly-raced Lord Transcend.
Baracouda, the outstanding staying hurdler of recent years, returns to action in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle and, with regular rider Thierry Doumen having now retired, he will have a new partner in Tony McCoy.
Telemoss and Crystal d'Ainay, first and second in a Grade 2 race at Wetherby four weeks ago, are live dangers.
Saturday's tips:
Newcastle
12.10 Rocket Bleu, 12.40 Paddy The Piper, 1.15 Carte Diamond, 1.50 Place Above, 2.25 Rambling Minster, 3.00 Harchibald (Nap), 3.30 Winchester.
Newbury
12.25 Marcel, 12.55 Fundamentalist, 1.30 Great Travel, 2.05 Baracouda, 2.40 Ollie Magern, 3.15 Europa, 3.45 Self Defense.
Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Lingfield, Towcester and Wolverhampton.
Updated: 10:53 Friday, November 26, 2004
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