Theologist is best shot for Newland (From Worcester News)

Theologist is best shot for Newland

8:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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CLAINES-based horse trainer Dr Richard Newland is hoping that Theologist can impress at the Cheltenham Festival today.

The four-year-old goes into the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices Handicap Hurdle looking to build on his third place at Sandown last month.

Currently priced at 33-1, Theologist provides Newland with his best hope at this year’s Festival.

“Theologist is an improving horse,” Newland said. “He was beaten by three-and-a-half lengths at Sandown in his last outing, but he has improved since.

“He has the right profile to go out there and trouble the scorers — he has an each-way chance.”

Newland will send Good Old Thyme off in the Coral Cup this afternoon with the Irish six-year-old winning in his last outing at Catterick on soft ground. Newland was targeting Friday’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle, but his charge was handed a place in the Coral Cup and Richard Johnson has been given the ride.

The Worcestershire trainer is also hoping Burntoakboy will make the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup on Friday, but War Party will not make the short trip to Prestbury Park.

“It can be so difficult to get a place in a race when they are whittled down,” Newland added.

“Good Old Thyme has got his place in the Coral Cup so that is the one we will go for.”