Horse racing tips: Newbury picks from Dave Nevison

Our pundit and resident website tipster Dave Nevison is looking forward to Thursday’s eight-race card at Newbury – a Racing TV Club day – with further action from Clonmel, Ludlow and Chelmsford live on Racing TV.

I am looking forward to having a day out at Newbury tomorrow and meeting up with Racing TV Members. Hopefully I will get there before all the good biscuits disappear this time! It is a marathon card, but I am hopeful of these three in the handicaps.

12.05 Newbury: Brentford Hope

I believe this race could be an ideal comeback for Brentford Hope as there should be a very good pace on offer and that will suit this strong-travelling type.

Harry Derham has his horses in good form and most have been running creditably after a break, so I am hopeful that he has Brentford Hope fit enough for this race and an assignment which is presumably not his main target this season.

The five-year-old did well enough over hurdles last term without perhaps quite living up to his useful Flat form and I am hopeful a summer break will have strengthened him up ready for a strong winter campaign.

A mark of 122 does not look unsurmountable to kick off this season and Alice Stephens is a very capable conditional rider.

1.15 Newbury: Neon Moon

He has already reappeared this season and with an easy 12-1 win at Ludlow and, now that he has got his head in front, he will be ready for another attempt at this track.

Neon Moon has experience of the Newbury fences courtesy of his run here back in March and, while not brilliant at the obstacles on that occasion, he still ended up running pretty well finishing third and that prior experience of the chase track here could tell this time.

Neon Moon needs a decent pace to run at and should get one in this good-sized field - I am hopeful that he will get into a rhythm here – while the additional 6lb he carries now would certainly not have stopped him at Ludlow last time.

2.25 Newbury: Equinus

Judging by the market last time, Equinus is clearly felt to be an improved performer this term and on what he showed late last month he should follow up here for his in-form trainer.

Equinus won easily at Aintree last time (after six months off and having been well backed) and, because he carries no penalty for that, he is so far ahead of the handicapper on that run that he cannot be opposed. The five-year-old additionally ran well at Newbury last season off a higher mark and over a trip that was too short for him.

Jockey James Turner claims 7lb and has gradually earned the right to get the leg-up on better fancied horses for Nigel Twiston-Davies. On board Equinus last time, he has repaid the trust of the trainer and in great style recently.