Tom Symonds fancies Don Bersy to go well at Newbury


Views from connections ahead of Saturday's OCSL Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.

Don Bersy heads for the valuable OCSL Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday in search of a four-timer.

Trainer Tom Symonds resisted the urge to head to Cheltenham last week and hopes to be rewarded in the long term.

Symonds told Sky Racing: "Don Bersy is well and we are looking forward to Saturday.

"I don't want to tempt fate but, all being well, I do see him improving year on year with natural progression in his physical and mental growth and development.

"Although he does have plenty of pace, I think he will stay two and a half miles but we might try that distance next year.

"I hope Saturday works out well as I think the handicapper has given him a real chance although the fact that he will only ever do what is required on the track rather than win by miles probably helps."

Nick Williams always unearths a decent juvenile or two and that was borne out by the fact he registered his first Cheltenham Festival win last week in the Fred Winter with Flying Tiger.

Just for good measure, he also had the fifth in the same race, Diable De Sivola.

Williams runs top weight Night Of Sin, who had the misfortune of going up 5lb while stood in his box after the horse he beat last time out, Landin, outran his massive odds in the Triumph Hurdle.

"Night Of Sin is very well and in good form," said Williams.

"He's obviously got plenty of weight and matters weren't helped that he went up 5lb because of his collateral form working out. This course and distance should suit him and I'm expecting him to run well.

"To be honest, there wouldn't be much between him, Flying Tiger or Diable De Sivola. The weights would say that now, especially since he (Night Of Sin) was put up."

Charlie Longsdon takes on the boys with Castafiore, the mount of champion jockey Richard Johnson.

"You can put a line through her last run as she came back all wrong," said Longsdon.

"Other than that the rest of her form is solid. She was running a good race up at Musselburgh when she fell at the last and the horses she was against that day, Project Bluebook and Nietzsche both ran very well in the Fred Winter.

"Even the horse she beat at Ludlow came out and won next time. If you discount her last run she must have a big chance."

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