Celestial is out of this world

In theory, Celestial Gold was just a deputy for Our Vic in Cheltenham's Paddy Power Gold Cup. In practice he jumped superbly under a patient ride from Timmy Murphy and stormed clear to beat the well-treated Thisthatandtother and Monkerhostin with the smart novice Ollie Magern back in fourth.

Ollie Magern promises to be better suited by the longer trip and should give another solid account tomorrow, while Nil Desperandum was one of the best Irish novices last season and has ample scope for improvement now he steps up in trip.

Royal Auclair is another who has been popular in the market and, judged by his decisive defeat of Gunther McBride at Wincanton, it seems a breathing operation has helped him return to his best.

That said, it goes against the grain to tip a horse in the Hennessy who failed to win in 10 chasing starts last season, while the Wincanton runnerup Gunther McBride is game and reliable but has little in hand of the handicapper having had two cracks at this race without success.

Lord Transcend is far less exposed, and Howard Johnson will deserve a medal if he can produce this grey to win on only his second chasing start, while Frenchman's Creek shaped nicely on his return from a long break behind Best Mate at Exeter and has reportedly come out of the race very well.

First Gold catches the eye as a likely longshot on his first start with AP McCoy aboard, but Celestial Gold has to be the main bet.

He's a highly progressive horse who promises to be even better over three miles two furlongs than he was over two and a half at Cheltenham.

Add in the fact that he represents the combination who are sweeping all before them and, all of a sudden, the 5-2 or slightly bigger on Betfair doesn't look such a skinny price after all.

Channel 4 will also be on duty at Newcastle tomorrow, where the Pertemps Fighting Fifth Hurdle sets punters an intriguing puzzle as to whether to side with the old guard or the new wave.

The oldest of the old guard is The French Furze, who boasts a fine record in this race and lines up in it for the fifth year running on the back of a gutsy handicap success at Ayr.

This is his big day of the season and he ought to go well again, but on these terms there should be at least one to beat him. It will be a surprise if Royal Shakespeare is good enough, while the Irish raider Harchibald impressed in a tactical affair at Punchestown last time but may not find things falling so much in his favour tomorrow.

Perouse looks in better form than his stablemate Rigmarole, but the two to watch most closely are Inglis Drever and Intersky Falcon.

Inglis Drever thrived in novice company last season and looks sure to go well, but Intersky Falcon appeals as the value bet.

Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is a proven force against the very best twomilers and was most impressive in this race two years ago.

He's been treated to help his breathing since last spring and, if that has done the trick, he will set a high standard for the rest to match.

Tomorrow's big-race tips Newbury:

2.40 Celestial Gold Newcastle: 3.00 Intersky Falcon