Free horse racing picks from Ed Quigley: Friday at Newbury Winter Festival

Newbury’s Winter Festival kicks off on Friday, and top Tipster and Broadcaster Ed Quigley provides his best bets for the action.

Ted’s bets for Newbury, December 1:

Find the following picks for the Friday races at Newbury. Play on the races with our best expert rated horse racing betting sites:

• Newbury 1.50 – Hermes Allen – bet with bet365
• Newbury 2.25 – The Big Bite – bet with talkSPORT BET
• Newbury 3.00 – Marie’s Rock – bet with BetMGM

Newbury 1.50 – Hermes Allen

HERMES ALLEN has to concede Chase experience to his rivals, but this race looks tailor-made for the 6-year-old to get off the mark at the first time of asking over fences.

A Grade 1 winner at this venue as a Novice Hurdler, when landing the Challow Hurdle in impressive fashion,  things  didn’t quite go to plan afterwards when beaten twice at the highest level – including when sent off favourite for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival.

This looks like the perfect opportunity to resume winning ways in this small field, at a track he has had success at before. The gelding underwent wind surgery during the off-season, so that should have sorted the minor issue that was spotted with his breathing and he can take his form to new levels here.

The Paul Nicholls team are in red-hot form, and with top pilot Harry Cobden doing the steering, this combination can get in the winner’s enclosure at the Berkshire venue.

Place a bet on Hermes Allen with bet365

Newbury 2.25 – The Big Bite

THE BIG BITE is a bit of an enigmatic character, but when on song he is a classy operator. He likes flat-left handed tracks and handles cut in the ground, and has shown very solid form at Newbury in the past, winning one race over course and distance, and coming third on another occasion.

He has won first-time out before, so his ability to go well fresh can hold him in good stead here. Considering he was rated 150 at his peak, a mark of 139 shouldn’t be beyond him, and if he can get in a good rhythm then he can easily travel into contention.

Although he is rising 11 years of age, I think he has unfinished business, and at this track he can never be ruled out. Ciaran Gethings takes the ride for the Henry Oliver team and The Big Bite looks each-way here. 

Bet on The Big Bite at talkSPORT BET

Newbury 3.00 – Marie’s Rock

In a race lacking any real strength and depth this looks a golden opportunity for the Nicky Henderson trained Mare MARIE’S ROCK to land her first success at 3m.

The former Cheltenham Festival winner never managed to get involved in this year’s renewal of the Mares’ Hurdle, but came roaring back to close to her best when runner-up in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree when upped to 3m at the end of the season.

She split current and previous Stayers’ champions SIre Du Berlais and Flooring Porter on that occasion, and that is red-hot form, especially in the context of this. Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher look the dangers on paper, but are aging legs who probably have questions to answer as to whether they can still produce their best at this level.

Nico De Boinville will be on board the 8-year-old, for a Seven Barrows team who have really hit a purple patch at the moment. I think she should be shorter in the betting than she is at around the even-money mark.

Bet on Marie’s Rock at BetMGM

Don’t forget Ed will be back on Saturday with all his best bets for the weekend on what should be a feast of top-class action.

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