Racing Line

The curtain comes down on Newbury's jumps season tomorrow with the highlights being the Bathwick Tyres-sponsored hurdle (2.25pm) and chase (3pm).

The hurdle is a tricky one to call, 19 runners and plenty with chances. The David Pipe yard sends out Laustra Bad, who looked out of sorts at Cheltenham but could bounce back on this flatter course.

Here are some top tips for the weekend's horseracing from our resident expert, Benny The Book...

Chance du Roy won at Exeter last time but seems to prefer plenty of cut in the ground. This leaves me to think that Russian Around can break his duck after coming close in four of his last five races. If Timmy Murphy can get him jumping well he seems to have the pace for a strong finish.

In the chase which follows I'm taking another chance on Helen Wood, who seemed to lose her way last month after winning at Exeter, when she saw off Back On Line – who finished a creditable third in the Peter O'Sullevan Chase at Cheltenham. If that form stands up she is worth her favourite's tag.

The big race oop north is the Doncaster Mile (3.35pm) in which we have Re Barolo, who could be great – or just a flash in the pan. Marco Botti bought the five-year old-over from Italy – where he had nine straight wins – in the autumn, and following a couple of looseners he scorched home at Wolverhampton in the Lincoln Trial. Only entered on the all-weather so far it will be interesting to see how he goes, but at around 14/1 I'll be having an each-way flutter.

Good racing on the all-weather at Kempton tomorrow with a couple of events worth following. The listed Easter Stakes (3.20pm) could be just right for Gaspar van Wittel. Winner of two maidens at Chepstow early on he found group racing a bit stiff, but with experience under his belt he can see off a competitive field of eight in which only Last of the Line can sensibly be discounted.

Another who looks to be on the up is Pendulum Star who runs in the 4.30pm at Kempton. Lightly raced last year by Walter Swinburn, this Observatory filly progressed steadily and won in fine style at Lingfield in October. Trading today at around 8/1 she is well worth an each-way wager.