'Natural' Nothin To Ask just one of host of progressive novices in hot handicap

Saturday: 3.35 Newbury
Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices' Limited Handicap Chase | 2m6½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Were it not for this race coming shortly after the Challow, it would be more widely recognised as an indicative formline. Since taking up its current spot on the card in 2017, winners have included De Rasher Counter and Paint The Dream, both subsequent winners of top handicaps at Newbury. Last year the first two were Grumpy Charley and Fern Hill, who have both improved since albeit to a more modest degree.

Hopes are high for this running, as it brings together a significant number of the strongest novice handicap chases of the season. The race Unanswered Prayers won at Cheltenham's November meeting is probably weaker than the one won by Tea For Free at Uttoxeter the following day. Similar comments could apply to the race Surrey Quest came third in at Uttoxeter a week later, or the one involving Malinello (won at Newcastle) in late November.

Nothin To Ask has been nothing short of a natural in winning small-field races on his two starts over fences.

Nothin To Ask toyed with last year's runner-up Fern Hill at Chepstow in October and was already looking well on top when left clear at Doncaster last time. He deserved to be hit hard for those wins and is now 16lb higher than when he started out over fences. He looks as if he is finding his level, and that level is likely to be in a higher grade than 0-140 handicaps. You would take short odds that this renewal will stand up to the race's recent history.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Tea For Free bids for four-timer

Tea For Free, who is unbeaten in three starts over fences, looked well ahead of the handicapper when hammering Representing Bob by 15 lengths at Uttoxeter in October.

Charlie Longsdon's seven-year-old overcame a subsequent 13lb hike in the ratings when completing his hat-trick on a return visit to the Staffordshire track and, while this represents by far his stiffest task to date, he appears to be progressing at a rapid rate.

Longsdon said: "He's improved a lot since going over fences and I'm delighted with him. He's stepped up in grade for each of his wins, and this will be another rise in class."

Tea For Free faces a clutch of fellow improving types from big stables, including Nothin To Ask and Halo Des Obeaux, but Longsdon will be disappointed if his runner doesn't give another good account. Left-handed Newbury isn't totally dissimilar to Uttoxeter, and Tea For Free should relish the galloping nature of the Berkshire track.

Longsdon added: "Newbury should suit and I'm expecting a big run. He goes there in good form."

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Surrey Quest
Surrey Quest won two races over hurdles last winter, but is a natural chaser who jumps and stays. He's in good form.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Halo Des Obeaux
He's been running well over hurdles, and won on heavy ground at Sandown two starts ago. I hope he'll make up into a better chaser. He's a sound jumper, and should enjoy the flat track at Newbury.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Unanswered Prayers
I'm hoping he can build on his win at Cheltenham last time. The rain won’t hinder him, and he looks a nice, progressive horse. The handicapper wasn't asleep when he watched his last race, though, and a 7lb rise obviously makes things tougher.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Malinello
He's improving fast and is in good order again.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read Saturday's previews:

1.50 Newbury: 'I toyed with the idea of the Challow' - who's hopeful of a big handicap run?

2.10 Warwick: a win for Wynne? Keith Melrose expects a bold show from Moss in veterans' chase

2.25 Newbury: who will add their name to the glittering honour roll in the Mandarin Chase?

2.32 Punchestown: 'I think he'll take some beating' - can in-form Barry Connell bag valuable pot?

3.00 Newbury: 'It's as good a Challow as I can recall' - but can anyone stop Hermes Allen?

Punchestown: Any Second Now starts out on road to Aintree return in quality conditions hurdle

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