'I'm sure a race will come his way any minute' - key quotes for a hot handicap

2.40 Newbury
MansionBet's Best Odds Guaranteed Mandarin Handicap Chase | 3m2f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

This race often goes to an improving chaser and there aren’t many more progressive in the line-up than Cuban Pete, who is bidding to complete a hat-trick over fences this season.

His trainer Venetia Williams won a similarly competitive handicap chase at Kempton on Sunday with Royal Pagaille, who barely came off the bridle to make it two wins from two over fences this season, and Cuban Pete has a near identical profile to his stablemate.

If there is one doubt about the eight-year-old it is the track. Cuban Pete seems to save his best for Hereford, where his win last time out took his figures at that track to 31141, and he has developed a habit of going right.

He received the in-running comment ‘jumped slightly right’ last time and had drifted right on the run-in when winning at left-handed Stratford previously.

Provided Cuban Pete can stay straight on this left-handed track, he is the most likely winner.

There is a strong Welsh connection here with Bridgend-based trainers David Brace and John Flint saddling Colorado Doc and Amateur respectively.

The Brace-trained Colorado Doc, who won by 15 lengths when successful on heavy ground at Plumpton last time, looks best of the pair but he has been off the track for 323 days.

He had a good record when running fresh in points, though, and ran well on his return from 607 days off the track at Ffos Las in November last year. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue on his reappearance.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of Commodore Barry
We've given him a break since his last run and he's come back fine, but the ground will probably be too soft for him. He's every right to be running though.

Jeremy Scott, trainer of Champagne Court and Orchardstown Cross
We're stepping Champagne Court back up in trip and if the ground is very sticky he may not run. We keep thinking he needs further, while we'll probably ride him a bit more conservatively, so it'll be interesting to see what he's like over a bit more of a trip. This should be Orchardstown Cross's trip and he should be happy enough on the ground, while Rex Dingle always rides him, so I wouldn't read too much into jockey bookings, and he's probably proven more over the trip. He was taken off his legs over two-mile-six on better ground last time, while Champagne Court would have more pace, but I couldn't say out of the two who I'd fancy more.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Get On The Yager
I've been really happy with him, but no-one has forgotten to declare – I was hoping for a smaller field. He's not getting any younger, but is as good as I can have him and showing plenty of zest. I'm sure a race will come his way any minute and I'm optimistic he'll run well.

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