Horse racing tips and best bets for ITV racing at Newbury and Newcastle on November 29
Have you ever caught a mole with your bare hands? Jeff Mexico has. This week he captured seven of the typhlotic little bleeders and then let them loose in his local Wetherspoons.
Don’t ask me how, but their arrival has sparked a big improvement in the atmosphere and clientele of the establishment, and the carpets are less sticky too. So, well done Jeff!
Anyway, you are here for horse chat not mole chat, aren’t you?
This weekend, the Sports News Blitz horse racing oracle casts his net over four races from Newbury, including the Grade 3 Coral Gold Cup, and two from Newcastle, featuring the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
The latter is, of course, named after what Geordies do following five bottles of broon … or something like that probably.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
I was going to start this article by banging on about Rachel Reeves’ budget and the devastating impact it could have on the UK gambling industry, but then someone offered me a free pork pie in the pub and I was distracted.
Ordinarily, I would avoid strangers handing me random pocket meats, but he’d put a sprig of parsley on the top and obviously that made all the difference. I mean … a sprig of parsley, c’mon who can resist that? What a time to be alive.
On top of that, the pork pie was excellent. I’ve only been to the toilet five times this morning so it really can’t have been that bad. Anyway, racing is exempt from the budget’s increase in gaming duty. Let’s crack on, shall we.
Last weekend, we scooped in three winners and five places from the nine races on offer, so that’s not a bad little haul is it? This weekend, I’ll keep it short and sweet as my hands are hurting from all that mole catching.
13:40, Newbury – Coral Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle
Main tip: French Ship
Won impressively at Cheltenham last month despite an 8lb rise and still looks progressive.
Outsider tip: Dargiannini
Won last time out at Uttoxeter and although he’s up in the ratings, he remains unexposed compared to younger rivals and could outrun his odds if he handles Newbury’s soft-good ground.
14:00, Newcastle – BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1)
Main tip: The New Lion
Unbeaten over hurdles and bolstered last season by a strong novice campaign that was topped off with a solid win at the Cheltenham Festival.
The step up into open Grade 1 company is exactly the kind of challenge his owners have been preparing him for, and if he transfers his novice class to this field, his turn-of-foot and lack of exposed form make him a prime candidate to strike.
Outsider tip: Anzadam
Younger and less experienced at the very top level, Anzadam arrives unbeaten over hurdles and in good form, having won his two most recent starts in France.
If he handles the size and class leap, the price should give value and he could upset the favourites.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: From Van Dijk to Zidane, which racehorses are named after famous football legends?
14:15, Newbury – Gerry Fielden Intermediate Hurdle
Main tip: Indemnity
Progressive five-year-old who has built a solid recent record, including a win at Market Rasen and a good second at Ascot, and now comes into this off just a 1lb rise.
The form he showed at Ascot reads very strongly, and back on soft going with not much weight, he looks primed to hit the top.
Outsider tip: Live Conti
Lightly raced four-year-old with undeniable potential (two wins and a good Grade 1 placing as a novice), now making his handicap debut after a break.
Connections will be hoping he can recapture that level of form, and this unexposed type could easily outrun his odds.
14:55, Newbury – Coral Gold Cup (Grade 3)
Main tip: Resplendent Grey
Ticks many of the classic boxes for a Coral Gold Cup winner: seven years old, proven over fences, and stamina to stay well over the 3m trip.
He closed last season with a big-race handicap win, in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, and began this season with a strong return at Carlisle, defeating a Grade 1 winner.
Outsider tip: The Changing Man
He’s not amongst the top few in the betting, but given the depth of the field, a steady run and good jumping could see him grab a place or better.
READ NEXT: Horse racing news: Barry Geraghty – I haven’t lost faith in what Constitution Hill is capable of
15:15, Newcastle – BetMGM Rehearsal Chase (Handicap Chase)
Main tip: Deafening Silence
Dropped to a workable mark, and although his last run in March was a bit disappointing, he’s a proven soft-ground stayer with a chasing win to his name.
Outsider bet: Konfusion
Seven-year-old progressive chaser from an in-form yard, who made a winning return over fences recently and could be primed to step forward again.
15:35, Newbury – Coral Pipped At The Post Handicap Chase
Main tip: General Medrano
Won this race last year off a similar mark, and although he hasn’t impressed on his most recent start, his connections know this contest well and the ground will suit.
Handicap mark remains realistic for the class, and if he jumps fluently and gets a good position, he has the class and experience to go close again.
Outsider tip: Rare Edition
Lightly raced chaser at this level, and while his form is mixed, he’s on a workable mark and the step down in class may suit him.
Good luck everyone, and remember – never gamble in your pants.
HORSE RACING CALENDAR: What are the dates for the UK’s top jumps races in the 2025/26 National Hunt season?
