Friday Racing Tips: Harry Wilson's Picks at Newbury

Harry Wilson found two winners on Saturday and is back with his advice for all seven races on day one of Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting on Friday . . .

12.15 Newbury
Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" For Free "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle, 2m½f

Harry's tip: Good And Clever

Regent's Stroll looked useful when winning two bumpers and the fact connections forked out £660,000 to keep him in the yard shows the regard in which he is held, but he's a very short price and Paul Nicholls' horses have tended to need their first runs, so I'd rather chance Good And Clever at the prices. He won a bumper by 12 lengths on his debut before finishing third in the Grade 2 at Aintree behind Horaces Pearl, and that form looks very strong, with the winner, second, fourth (three times including Grade 2), fifth (twice), sixth, plus a few other further down the field, all winning since. He looks a smart prospect.

Good And Clever12:15 Newbury

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Jky: James Bowen Tnr: Warren Greatrex

12.45 Newbury
Coral Racing Club Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, 2m½f

Harry's tip: Personal Ambition

Personal Ambition beat a subsequent dual winner on his debut and took the scalp of Grade 1 winner Jango Baie when landing a Grade 2 at Kelso in March in a fruitful hurdling campaign. He was just a length behind Lookaway, who has since finished third in the Arkle trial, on his chasing debut and could be on a workable mark now handicapping, especially if tidier with his jumping.

Personal Ambition12:45 Newbury

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Ben Pauling

1.20 Newbury
"Bet In-Race" With Coral Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle (Listed), 2m½f

Harry's tip: Ambiente Amigo

It probably wasn't the strongest field that Ambiente Amigo saw off on her hurdling debut at Newcastle last month, but she could only beat what was put in front of her and she did it to the tune of six and a half lengths with plenty in hand. She's rated 95 on the Flat and, with more improvement to come in the jumping department, she looks a nice prospect.

Ambiente Amigo13:20 Newbury

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Jky: Sam Twiston-Davies Tnr: James Owen

1.55 Newbury
Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m4f

Harry's tip: The Jukebox Man

The Jukebox Man was a big improver over hurdles, following his close Challow third behind Captain Teague with a narrow defeat in the Albert Bartlett before finishing second in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. He's the highest-rated runner in this field and beat the useful Cleatus Poolaw by six lengths in his sole point, so should make into a nice chaser this season.

The Jukebox Man13:55 Newbury

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Ben Pauling

2.30 Newbury
Coral "Daily Rewards Shaker" Handicap Chase, 2m4f

Harry's tip: Scarface

Scarface was a big improver when tried in cheekpieces last season, winning three of his first four starts before producing a fine third in the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in April. The second has since won from a 4lb higher mark and the fourth has gone in too, so the form looks solid. His two runs this year have been over trips short of his best, but he's been dropped 3lb for those and is now just 2lb higher than when winning easily at Plumpton in April. He's back over a more suitable trip and could rate a good bit higher yet.

Scarface14:30 Newbury

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Jky: Brendan Powell Tnr: Joe Tizzard

3.05 Newbury
Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2), 3m

Harry's tip: Strong Leader

Langer Dan's form in the spring would make him a big player, but he has always tended not to be at his best in the winter and is trying three miles for the first time, so Strong Leader looks to have the best chance. He improved a great deal for being upped to three miles, finishing third in the Cleeve before running away with the Liverpool Hurdle, and could still have more improvement to come at this trip. Monmiral and Flight Deck have lots to find on ratings, but the latter was beaten only two lengths in this last year and will likely have a very easy time of it on the front, so could outrun his odds.

Strong Leader15:05 Newbury

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

3.40 Newbury
Coral "Pipped-At-The-Post" And Win Handicap Hurdle, 3m

Harry's tip: Annsam

You can make a case for plenty in this but a chance is taken on Annsam taking a big step forward for last month's reappearance from 545 days off the track. He was a useful chaser two seasons ago, winning at Kempton and Ludlow, and gets to run off a 13lb lower mark over hurdles. He won a course-and-distance handicap hurdle by five lengths off a mark just 4lb lower and is now rated 9lb higher over fences than he was then. If retaining all his old ability, he could look overpriced.