Benvolio got no further than the first fence on his chasing debut at Fontwell last month and heads to Newbury today in search of compensation.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding runs in the Racing UK Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase and should be given a second chance to prove himself over the major obstacles.

A point-to-point winner earlier in his career, Benvolio was twice a winner over hurdles at Wincanton last season when he elevated his handicap mark to a rating of 133.

He remains a potentially useful prospect as a chaser and, although a careless mistake put him out of the race so early at Fontwell, he is fancied to bounce back this afternoon.

Nicky Henderson is always a man to be feared at Newbury, his local track, and the Lambourn trainer looks set for a lucrative meeting.

Henderson saddles Dawalan in the opening Blackmore Building Juvenile Hurdle and if this three-year-old builds on his fourth-placed effort at this course last month on his debut, he should go well in the hands of Barry Geraghty.

Henderson and Geraghty can also claim the Tony Jones 60th Birthday Bash Maiden Hurdle with Josses Hill.

Winner of one of his two starts in bumpers, at Ascot last month, Josses Hill looks the type to make a big impression over timber.

Tistory looks another smart runner for Henderson and Geraghty in the EBF Stallions Novices’ Hurdle.

Although he has had his share of training problems and has consequently been lightly raced, Tistory won three of his five bumpers and made a winning debut over hurdles at Towcester in the spring. He should not be overlooked and carries the nap vote.

Hadrian’s Approach promises to go well for the Henderson team in the Coolmation Graduation Chase, but he needs to bounce back after unseating his rider at the fifth fence in the Hennessy Gold Cup on this course a couple of weeks ago.

Preference is for Gullinbursti, who was hugely impressive over fences at Market Rasen on his penultimate start and who was far from disgraced over Haydock’s fixed-brush hurdles in a valuable race on his latest start.

On the Flat at Kempton, Green Music bids to hit a high note for the second time in under a week in the Betdaq Nursery Handicap.

James Eustace’s juvenile got off the mark in nice style at Wolverhampton last weekend and he was of the opinion there may be more to come from her.

Royal Bajan may prove the answer to the Winners Are Welcome At Betdaq Handicap.

James Given’s gelding, a winner on this course, ran a blinder in a slender defeat at Southwell last week. He should give Tom Queally a good ride.

Marco Botti’s promising juveniles Quiet Warrior (5.50) and Spirit Or Soul (6.50) are two others to note at this twilight fixture.


Racing selections

Newbury today 12.10 Dawalan, 12.40 Benvolio, 1.10 Josses Hill, 1.40 Mr Muddle, 2.15 Gullinbursti, 2.45 Tistory (NAP), 3.20 Herecomesthebride.

Kempton today 3.50 Green Music, 4.20 Miguel Grau, 4.50 Royal Bajan, 5.20 Intense Feeling, 5.50 Quiet Warrior, 6.20 I’m Fraam Govan, 6.50 Spirit Or Soul, 7.20 Nifty Kier.

Today’s other meetings: Ludlow and Lingfield.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Exeter, Kempton, Southwell and Towcester.