Two picks at Newbury on Monday....

Last Updated: 28.12.2025

Sunday, 28th December 2025

Two picks at Newbury on Monday….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Monday’s biggest betting heats at Newbury….

I’m on ONLY THE BOLD in the 1.50 – up at 6s….

…. and I’m on KALIUM at 12s in the 2.22….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

ONLY THE BOLD is interesting at the general 6/1 in tomorrow’s Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury (1.50)….

He won the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in June over 3m2f….

…. and the plan for the winter was to get him qualified for next Saturday’s Stayers Veterans’ Chase Series final at Sandown….

That mission was accomplished at Sandown in November….

…. but the 10yo turns out tomorrow for this instead….

…. and I assume that’s because of how he ran in that qualifier at Sandown – where he gave the impression that the bare 3-mile trip doesn’t present enough of a test these days….

He only just failed that last day – having looked like he’d been beaten off at one point only to rally strongly and come again in sterling fashion up the hill….

He went down narrowly to Twig at the line and there’s no doubt he would have won given another 25 yards to run into….

The winner went on to win the Becher Chase at Aintree next time out and is up 5lb in the rankings whilst Only The Bold runs off the same mark of 130 tomorrow….

It’s a competitive race but I reckon he’s a player – with the extra yardage playing to his strengths….

KALIUM at 12s is the pick of the prices in the Join Coral "Bet £10 Get £50" Handicap Hurdle (2.22)….

He ran like he needed it at Doncaster on seasonal debut having seen money ahead of the off….

He improved for a run last term, and I expect him to do so again tomorrow….

He won at Newbury over hurdles back in March….

…. the ground won’t be an issue….

…. and I reckon there’s plenty more to come off this 5yo from a mark of just 125….

Edward Vaughan claims 7lb….

…. he went close to banking the money at Chepstow yesterday….

…. riding another one for his father….

…. and tomorrow’s assignment represents another good opportunity to make a good impression….

Nothing I’ve seen leads me to the view that Kalium is unable to win off his current mark – far from it….

…. and my take is that the claimer is on for advantage rather than necessity….

-----

Now, just to recap….

The pick of the prices….

To recap on my bets….

In the 1.50 @ Newbury….

  • Pick of the prices – ONLY THE BOLD (6s generally)

e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally….

In the 2.22 @ Newbury….

  • Pick of the prices – KALIUM (12s generally)

e/w terms = It’s 4 places generally….

Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more on Wednesday….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Nick Pullen

Against the Crowd