Hi Reader

Sir Gino is a big loss to Newbury's Game Spirit Chase today.

Hopefully,we get to see him run at Kempton soon. Nicky Henderson mentioned the Pendil Chase as a possible new target once his leg cut has healed.

Thankfully, on a rather quiet Saturday we have the UK's most valuable handicap hurdle of the season. New sponsors this year with William Hil taking over from Betfair.

The remamed William Hil Hanidcap hurdle has 17 runners and is proper competitive!

​

Big Saturday Race Preview And Tips

All our Big Saturday Race Previews & Tips are published online at https://lp.betalchemist.com/

Following the result of the race, there are made availble to the public. Too late to back the winner or change the result at that time!

Ok, let's crack on with today's preview and tips.

​

Navajo Indy can win main target of the season

The renamed William HIl handicap hurdle lacks many unexposed types this year.

The fly in the ointment could well be Joyeuse who is having only her fourth hurdle run. She was unlucky not to win at Cheltenham in December over two and a half miles. The drop in trip to a strongly run two miles with cut in the ground will suit her nicely. I'd recommend a small saver on the mare.

​

Navajo Indy loves it around Newbury and looks primed to run a massive race. He impressed when winning here cosily in November. He had that decent handicap over this trip in the bag at the final hurdle. Gavin Sheehan rode him that day and retains the ride. The softer going will suit as Navajo Indy stays a stiff two miles strongly.

The harder they go up front, the better his winning chance. He ran a cracking prep race at Windsor last month when finding that sharp course not ideal. The handicapper has left him alone on a mark of 128 which leaves him 5lbs better off against Secret Squirrel. Trainer, Tom Symonds, has reached for first time pieces and he is set to carry a nice weight of 10-12.

Iberico Lord excelled in winning this race last season. He showed class to come from the rear to run down L’Eau du Sud. That pair finished clear of the field. This renewal is full of decent handicappers with Joyeuse the exception for Nicky Henderson. She could be anything on her fourth run however the value lies with her stablemate. He ran fine over fences without looking a natural, so it made sense to revert to hurdling.

A fast run extended two miles on a galloping course on soft ground is ideal for Iberico Lord. Freddie Gordon rides and his 3lb claim is a help off top weight of 12 stone. He did win carrying 11-8 last year and should be fine with 3lbs extra this time round. Freddie Gordon will have lots of time to pick up the leaders as Newbury has a fine long finishing straight.

Newbury 3:35

0.5 point each way Navajo Indy 15/2 Betfred, William Hill, Bet365 & Starsports, 5 places.

0.5 point each way Iberico Lord 16/1 William Hill, Bet365 & Ladbrokes, 5 places.

​

Best of Luck,

Nicky

​

2024 finished on a winner thanks to the well named "Win Some Lose Some".

Last year was a winning and profitable year for followers for the Big Saturday Race Prewiew & Tips column.

A profit of +19.55 points won.

There was 10 winners & 18 placed from a total of 80 tips.

A tidy profit of £977.50 to £50 per point stakes or maybe £391 to £20 per point stakes.

​

---

Big Saturday Races Past Results

A full listing of all our Big Saturday Feature Race selections and results can be found by clicking the button below.

Usually, there are two selections in the big field handicaps.

​

View Big Saturday Race Past Results​

​

Latest Big Saturday Race Winner was Win Some Lose Some at 13/2

2025 running total -9 points or -£180 to to £10 ew stakes.​

2024 total +19.55 points profit or +£391 to £10 ew stakes.​

​

Since the Big Saturday Race Preview column began in 2014 the service is showing profits of +157 points

or £3,140 to £10 each way stakes.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​