Johnny would be good for Newbury backers

Johnnywho can put his previous experience to good use in the Coral John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury on Friday.

This Grade Two contest has drawn a fascinating field, with Boombawn already successful at this level earlier in the month while Captain Teague and The Jukebox Man were Grade One class over hurdles.

Johnnywho was beaten by the last-named pair when fourth in the Challow Hurdle last term and while subsequent Cheltenham and Aintree runs yielded no joy, it was hard not to be impressed by the seven-year-old's first attempt at chasing.

Over 4000m on good to soft ground at Carlisle, Johnnywho barely put a foot wrong in seeing off the reopposing Bugise Seagull by a cosy 1.5-lengths in what was a very taking performance.

This is obviously a stronger contest but Johnnywho is handily placed on the ratings and has the recent run out in his favour.

Strong Leader is a worthy favourite for a four-runner Coral Long Distance Hurdle.

Olly Murphy's charge thrived for moving up in distance last season, coming home third in the Cleeve Hurdle on his first attempt at 4800m before going on to win in Grade One company at Aintree.

On the ratings he has a bit to find with Langer Dan, but that rival has proved a better horse when it gets to the spring over the last couple of seasons, so preference is for the market leader.

Kalif Du Berlais let favourite-backers down on his first attempt over fences but can make amends in the Coral Racing Club Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Winner of two of his three hurdles runs, including the Adonis back in February, Paul Nicholls has wasted no time in sending the four-year-old over fences.

All looked to be going to plan on his first attempt at Carlisle but he crashed out four fences from home when still travelling supremely well.

Nicholls is sure to have put in plenty of work of the schooling ground since then and his four-year-old allowance puts him in the driving seat.

The Ditcheat handler should also be on the mark with expensive recruit Regent's Stroll in the Play Coral 'Racing-Super-Series' For Free "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle after two decent bumper wins during the last campaign.

To add to the Nicholls' tally on the day, Ioupy Collonges is the pick in Doncaster's Lifetime Achievement Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

A winner at Perth on his third chasing start, the six-year-old has plenty of potential in this sphere.

You Some Girl can chalk up her hat-trick as she has her third run in as many weeks in the Racing.TV Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh.

A winner off a mark of 84 at Newcastle on November 15, she followed up under a 7-point penalty at Catterick last week and turns out again off another seven-day break.

She races off a mark of 91 here and with her actual rating of 99 putting her 8lb well-in, it is easy to see why Rebecca Menzies has gone to the well for a third time. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 13.55 Jeteye, Race 2: 14.25 Adaay Forever, Race 3: 14.55 Newton Tornado, Race 4: 15.30 Ioupy Collonges, Race 5: 16.05 Mole Court, Race 6: 16.40 Noble Anthem, Race 7: 17.15 Hiero Sport.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1: 14.08 Achnamara, Race 2: 14.38 Sea Legend, Race 3: 15.10 You Some Girl, Race 4: 15.45 Hapy La Vie, Race 5: 16.20 Starlyte, Race 6: 16.55 Dream Jet, Race 7: 17.30 Loch Brandy.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.15 Regent's Stroll, Race 2: 14.45 Kalif Du Berlais, Race 3: 15.20 Ambiente Amigo, Race 4: 15.55 JOHNNYWHO (NAP), Race 5: 16.30 Galop De Chasse, Race 6: 17.05 Strong Leader, Race 7: 17.40 Woodie Flash.

ALL TO COME: Kalif Du Berlais and Johnnywho (Newbury, 2 and 4).