Kruger Park – no horror show at Newbury

It’s that time of the season when selectivity in betting on Class 3 handicaps and above becomes crucial. With the Cheltenham Festival just four weeks away, many runners will be looking to protect their handicap marks ahead of the weights being announced.

The 1:50 at Newbury on Saturday looks a prime example, with the top six in the weights either falling into that category or simply being out of form.

The Paul Nicholls yard owes us one after last Saturday—I’m still not sure how Afadil didn’t win—but we have a very good chance to recoup those losses, and more, with Kruger Park in this 3m handicap, which is set to be particularly testing on soft ground.

Freddie Gingell was initially booked to ride Don’t Tell Su at Uttoxeter but has been redirected here, taking 3lb off the unexposed seven-year-old, who has form in the book that suggests he has a far greater chance than his current 8/1 oddsimply.

Last time out, he finished third at Uttoxeter over 3m, having pulled hard early, yet was only beaten 1¼ lengths by Kilbarry Hill. The winner has since been beaten by just under a length off a 7lb higher mark by Uncle Bert at Haydock, linking the form to Red Dirt Road, who was so impressive when bolting up in the Class 1 Premier 3m handicap at Sandown Park last weekend.

Behind Kruger Park that day was Katate Dori, who has since won twice.

Nicholls was openly critical of Gingell’s ride on Kruger Park at Uttoxeter, and I don’t expect him to make his move until between the final two flights this time.

The main danger is Tiny Tetley, who is as brave as a lion but had a tough race at Haydock when chasing home Uncle Bert.

The Nicholls yard has been frustrating all season, but I strongly suspect that the horses running last weekend were a gallop short of peak fitness due to the Ditcheat gallops requiring repairs after storm damage.

Encouragingly, all their fancied runners this week (before Friday) priced at 16/1 or shorter have performed well, yielding four winners, a second, two thirds, and a fourth.

I expect them to have several winners over the next 72 hours, but Kruger Park, currently 8/1 each-way with most firms offering four places, represents the best value selection from the yard over the coming days.

Selection:
🔹 1pt EW Kruger Park – 1:50 Newbury, Saturday (EW, 4 places)