Jumping fans, on a starvation diet in recent weeks as the wintry weather wiped out one meeting after another, have a veritable feast to look forward to at Newbury this afternoon, courtesy of a bumper eight-race card, which includes two Grade 1 contests and an appearance by the best staying hurdler in Europe.

Big Buck’s, trained by Paul Nicholls, is unbeaten in his last nine races and bids to stretch his sequence into double figures in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle, which had orginally been planned for Ascot on December 18 until that fixture was lost to frost.

It is entirely fitting that the race title is now prefixed by ‘A P Wins Sports Personality of the Year’ because the man himself, Tony McCoy, the 15 times champion, takes the mount on Big Buck’s, standing in for the injured Ruby Walsh.

McCoy was also aboard the prolific winning gelding on this course last month when he made a successful reappearance and, in the process, notched his fifth Newbury success.

He has five rivals today, but none of them should be good enough to lower the colours of a horse who continues to dominate in this division. His tenth straight win will be a sight to savour.

This afternoon’s card is further highlighted by the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle, in which McCoy has good prospects aboard Bangor winner Backspin, while Paul Nicholls’ top bumper Al Ferof is also to be considered, despite his fall at Cheltenham on his hurdling bow.

Preference, however, is for For Non Stop, trained by Nick Williams, and a horse who is plainly on the upgrade.

A good winner of a handicap at Chepstow on his reappearance, he has since chased home Grands Crus in an intermediate hurdle at Cheltenham.

He promises to be hard to beat from a stable which seldom runs horses who are less than fit enough to do themselves justice, no matter what problems the weather may have uncovered lately.

Much of the rest of the Newbury meeting is likely to revolve around McCoy.

He teams up with Nicky Henderson to partner the promising Grandouet (12.30), the ultra-talented Punchestowns (1.00), the highly-regarded Kid Cassidy (1.35), and the debut winner Accordingtojodie (3.50). All four horses have solid winning prospects.

Tomorrow’s all-weather Flat programme at Lingfield offers North Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan a winning opportunity with Blue Moon (2.45).

The mount of Franny Norton, the three-year-old came good over this course and distance earlier in the month and, off only a 3lb higher mark, is napped to complete an encore.

Also worth noting are recent Southwell winner Ace Of Spies (1.05) and the promising Lady Rossetti (2.10).


Racing selections

Newbury today
12.00 Ghizao, 12.30 Grandouet, 1.00 Punchestowns, 1.35 Kid Cassidy, 2.10 For Non Stop, 2.45 Teddy’s Reflection, 3.20 Big Buck’s, 3.50 Accordingtojodie.

Today’s other meetings: Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Lingfield tomorrow
12.35 Layline, 1.05 Ace Of Spies, 1.35 Loki’s Revenge, 2.10 Lady Rossetti, 2.45 Blue Moon (NAP), 3.20 Young Simon, 3.50 Final Rhapsody.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Taunton.