Tea Clipper out to show he's still on upward curve after Silver Trophy success

1.50 Newbury
Get Your Ladbrokes £1 Free Bet Today Handicap Hurdle | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | RTV/ITV

Finding the winner of this competitive Newbury handicap hurdle goes hand in hand with spotting the unexposed improver and dealing with the fact they're probably going to go off a shorter price than you might have hoped.

That was very much the case with Onefitzall (7-2, 2016) on his second start in the sphere and Champ (9-2, 2018) on his handicap debut, though the latter's price looks exceptional in hindsight. Bookmakers believe Tea Clipper is the next horse up and have taken a strong stance that he is the one to beat in this year's contest – and who's to say they are wrong?

Barring a defeat off a mark of 130 last February, the Tom Lacey-trained five-year-old is unbeaten in five outings, which didn't necessarily look likely when he was headed at the top of the straight as he briefly appeared outpaced when the tempo quickened in the Silver Trophy on his reappearance.

Tea Clipper: seen winning at Kempton early in his careerCredit: Mark Cranham

However, it was testament to his staying power and character that he fought his way back to the head of proceedings and found more when challenged close home by the reopposing Flash The Steel, who has a 4lb swing in the weights. Consequently, stepping up a furlong in trip and the similarly long straight at Newbury will play to his advantage. He may well be the next Champ and score decisively.

Course winners Champagne Platinum and Rathhill, who both hail from the Nicky Henderson stable, were disappointing last season after their Newbury successes and need to return to form to challenge, though the drop in trip and return to hurdles could be the catalyst for the former and that is factored into his price.

On the other hand, Christopher Wood may be the forgotten horse. He looked to have a bright future when dotting up in a juvenile hurdle here early last year but boasts an inconsistent profile since. However, his recent Bangor effort over an inadequate trip on soft ground caught the eye and he could be the sleeper in a race full of likeable types.
Analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Christopher Wood and Amour De Nuit
Christopher Wood always needs a run. I thought he ran okay at Bangor. If he’s improved for that run he’ll have a good chance. Amour De Nuit surprised me at Plumpton – the plan was always to give him two runs and then go back chasing. I hope the ground isn’t too quick for him.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Flash The Steel
He obviously fell in the competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock last week, which I was a bit disappointed with, but we jumped him in the week and he's been grand. He was a bit unlucky and for some reason he never landed, it was very odd but he's fine. I thought he had a good chance last week and I think the same again here.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Champagne Platinum, Colonial Dreams and Rathhill
They're all fine and in good form, schooling nicely and this is a good place to start them off. Colonial Dreams will like the ground, and we'll see where we go with Rathhill and Champagne Platinum afterwards.

Champagne Platinum: won at Newbury last seasonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Alan King, trainer of Lord Lamington
He's definitely on too high a mark. For all that he hated the ground at Cheltenham last time, he needs to come down in the weights.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Tea Clipper
He's in great order, I'm very happy with him. I thought he was really impressive last time and, incredibly, he had it all to do and wasn't that slick over the last hurdle, where he gave it plenty of air, but he knuckled down and hit the line well. It was a great performance. He should go well once again.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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