Noel Fehily hopes to keep his winning run going this weekend

It’s been great to be back among the winners again after having so much time off. I have ridden five winners in seven days including Bags Groove in last Saturday’s Pendil Novices’ Chase.

It’s been a good little run and with Cheltenham looming, I hope things keep going this way now.

I will be at Newbury on Saturday where I have four rides, the first of which Private Malone (1.30) is not a horse I am too familiar with.

He unseated last time he ran, which was over fences, and is now back over hurdles at which he is unbeaten in three runs.

The last of those wins was in 2015 when he was a comfortable winner at Wincanton and now running in senior company he could have a squeak.

The Last Samuri (2.05) has now had two spins since he was moved to Harry Fry’s stable. He was fifth at Ascot and then he was second at Taunton, a track which would be plenty sharp for him. In the circumstances he ran okay.

A trip of three miles two around Newbury would be much more to his liking. He would have a chance in a race in which Carole’s Destrier would be the one to beat. He was going okay at Haydock the other day when nearly brought down.

The Last Samuri is in good form and should run well too. He has dropped to a decent mark now he is rated 150.

Warrior’s Tale (2.40) is my mount in the feature Greatwood Gold Cup. He won the Grand Sefton at Aintree but was pulled up on his last start. He looks like he wants softer ground as most of his best runs have been on soft, including when he won on this card last year. Hopefully he can still run a nice race.

Champagne City (3.10) has been running very well this season. He has been third and fourth at Cheltenham in his last two starts. The ground will be fine for him.

He is handicapped to what he is but has always run in good races. He could run into the money, though it’s hard to see him winning.

My best chance of the day would be The Last Samuri. It’s his first time in a veterans chase.

Noel