Racing Tips: Buveur D’Air to hold off Samcro in the Fighting Fifth?

Weekend racing odds and preview

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Trophy are the standout contests on a hugely exciting afternoon of racing on ITV.

Buveur D’Air and Samcro are vying for favouritism in the former. While a competitive field in the latter sees Elegant Escape, Thomas Patrick and Ms Parfois all near the top of the market.

Get set for an exciting six-race card from Newbury and Newcastle with our ITV Racing Tips.

Buveur D’Air – 3:35 Newcastle

It’s not down to Buveur D’Air to prove himself in the Fighting Fifth. It’s down to Samcro and Summerville Boy to come up to his level. Nicky Henderson’s raider is the one to beat after racking up 10 straight wins and back-to-back Champion Hurdle successes.

He’s available at a nice price and carries far fewer question marks than the two nearest challengers. Samcro has to answer his critics after his disappointing defeat to Bedrock at Down Royal, who re-opposes here. Meanwhile, this may come slightly too soon for Summerville Boy, who will need to step up from his win in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

That leaves us with the favourite. And although the seven-year-old is a bit of a stuffy type and may not enjoy his reappearance, he’s impossible to ignore based on the prices, the form and today’s opposition.

Ms Parfois – 3:00 Newbury

You know what you’re getting with Ms Parfois. She’s an ultra-consistent type who has only finished outside the places once since switching to fences last season.

Anthony Honeyball’s raider placed at both Aintree and Cheltenham in the spring. And it’s a fair bet that she’ll improve further following wind surgery in the summer.