Who has the touch of class required? Analysis and key quotes for two-mile chase

Saturday: 3.35 Newbury
Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Four of the last six winners of Newbury's Saturday finale have achieved an RPR of 155, while Zanza earned a mark of 152 for his victory in a dramatic running 12 months ago. An above-average field is set to line up this season, so the first port of call for punters is to envisage which runners are capable of performing to that kind of level.

Only four runners – Getaway Trump (155), Gumball (152), King D'Argent (150) and Sully D'Oc AA (150) – have broken through the 150 barrier so far in their career, and only the latter pair have come close to their previous bests this season.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained Sully D'Oc AA is the most interesting of that pair as his progression is yet to come to a halt. But his best form since moving from France has come around right-handed tracks and he might pay for his exertions at Ascot just seven days ago.

Unsurprisingly, the head of the market is made up of unexposed types who are yet to show their best. This race may be the start of something good for Grey Diamond, who is another relatively new recruit for rising trainer Sam Thomas, and the promising Frero Banbou, who disappointed on his seasonal reappearance.

Paul Nicholls, who has entered four-year-old Monmiral in the Fighting Fifth (3.15 Newcastle) against his elders, runs a similar type in Il Ridoto. Perhaps he is priced up on potential and his connections rather than form, but he is certainly an interesting runner on just his second British start.

Don't discount Elusive Belle. This race appears to have been the plan for Nicky Henderson's mare for a long time. Her best performance in the last two seasons came when third to Epatante in the intermediate hurdle on this card in 2019, while she won the handicap chase at this meeting a year ago.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Getaway Trump and Il Ridoto
Getaway Trump was disappointing last time and, although a flatter track will suit him, he's got a bit to prove. I've won this race before with a four-year-old in Ulck Du Lin [2012] and you'd like to think Il Ridoto has the same sort of profile. He's got a light weight and the race at Newton Abbot has worked out nicely.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Elusive Belle
She's a course-and-distance winner, so Newbury is a good track for her. Sam [Waley-Cohen] gets on with her very well and won on her round here last year, so it seems the perfect race to run in.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Frero Banbou
He'll probably handle the ground all right and might come on a little bit for his run at Ascot.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Grey Diamond
We're taking the hood off him as he's usually forward going, but last time at Ascot when there was a lot of pace on he was almost flat out from the start. It's a nice race to have a go at and hopefully he can perform a bit better without the headgear.

David Pipe, trainer of Star Max
He didn't cost very much and we'll learn more about him on this first run for us. He goes nicely at home but whether he'll want a bit further in time we'll see. He should suit the big, galloping track at Newbury and hopefully he'll run well for the syndicate.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

Read more previews:

1.15 Newbury: Killer Clown could have the last laugh for Emma Lavelle against McManus trio

2.05 Newcastle: Sandy Thomson looks to stable star as he seeks Rehearsal Chase repeat

2.25 Newbury: 'There'll be no excuses' – Jonjo O'Neill on hot favourite Soaring Glory

3.00 Newbury: trainers and jockeys on their Ladbrokes Trophy contenders at Newbury

3.15 Newcastle: will Epatante be ready for take-off again? Graeme Rodway on the Fighting Fifth

Fairyhouse: can anything follow in the footsteps of Monkfish in the early opener?

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