Racing expert Newsboy has pinpointed his top selections for Thursday's action, with the spotlight firmly on the six-race card at Sedgefield.
Sedgefield's Sparkling Nap
All eyes will be on the SprayCladUK NE Ltd Mares' Maiden Hurdle at 2.34, where Newsboy's best bet of the day, Blue Topaz, is expected to shine. The five-year-old, trained by Fergal O'Brien, arrives in excellent form following a wind operation that appears to have transformed her performance.
This improvement was clear for all to see last month when Blue Topaz secured a convincing victory in a bumper on the same Sedgefield course. The daughter of Blue Bresil was always travelling well before surging clear two furlongs out and winning at a canter by four and a quarter lengths from William Yeats.
Stepping up to a trip of 2m3f should pose no problems for the selection, who is anticipated to be fitter than many of her rivals. With a background in Point-to-Pointing, she is also fully expected to improve further now tackling obstacles.
The Daily Double Chance
Earlier on the card, Newsboy believes Lunar Orbit (1.24) presents a formidable challenge in the Michael Watson Civils & Groundworks Juvenile Hurdle. This son of Sea The Moon, trained by Warren Greatrex, is another contender who has recently undergone wind surgery, which his connections hope will yield a positive result.
Lunar Orbit comes into this race after a respectable third-place finish at Fontwell, where he was five and a half lengths behind the winner, Galactique. The gelding kept on readily that day, suggesting the extra one and a half furlongs of today's journey will be perfectly suited to him.
This theory is backed up by his previous form over the course and distance, where he achieved a decent second place on his hurdles debut back in September.
Thursday's Outlook
With two strong selections on the same card, punters will be hoping for a profitable day at Sedgefield. The combination of Blue Topaz as the Nap and Lunar Orbit as the next best bet forms the core of Newsboy's Daily Double, offering a compelling double opportunity for racing enthusiasts.
