Newbury 1.40

Newbury 1.40 8 Fortunate George @ 14/1 / 6 West Wizard @ 25/1 (1/2 point e/w each horse)

The Going is officially Good to Soft and although cloudy no more rain expected. The Going Stick reading

though of 5.1 when taken in context of the last 10 NH meetings here, suggests it will be a bit of a slog and this is one of the

longest and most demanding straights to finish down in the UK, so I'm looking for something proven at the trip, in softer ground;

that has may be been advertised and also being race fit should be an advantage. From the top of the market COLINS BROTHER

looks the most likely option, not a bad poke at 5/1; yard is flying and has won first time out, a small saver not to be sniffed at.

I want to be more speculative though with so many with form and fitness and stamina doubts and FORTUNATE GEORGE is on

a decent mark relative to Hurdles form, where it ticks all of the boxes in terms of Going and Stamina. It has not jumped really

well in 2 Chase runs but signs that it is getting its act together, and in a field of this size should be able to get a nice sighter and

jumping has been "deliberate" as opposed to "iffy" and I think at the price with fitness assured a sporting bet. The booking

of Leighton Aspell adds to confidence as there is no finer horseman to get a horse jumping better at fences.

I like the same characteristics in WEST WIZARD has won at this trip at Ffos Llas a Course with a very similar configuration

in soft off a mark of 122; gets in here off 128 and interesting Sophie Leech books Tom Scu for his Chase riding expertise

and ran very well up to this point at Cheltenham recently, pulled up and not stressed when chance had gone and that

should see the horse spot on, I just think some each way value with that fitness assured.

They are speculative shots in an open race, so we'll have 50% stakes