13:40 Newbury

Thursday 9 November 2017

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:55

Dawnus Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 5m 0.1s

Crosspark²³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: R Johnson| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 136| D

5/1

Won handicaps at Southwell and Leicester as a novice, both over 2m4f. Not disgraced on final start over 3m but this trip looks his best and he is open to improvement this season. Champion jockey booking notable.

Form: 262U13-

Henri Parry Morgan^p,t²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 133

8/1

Chase winner over 2m7f and 3m who finished last season in the 4m Scottish Grand National. This trip surely on the sharp side so unlikely this is much more than a tune-up for staying chases this winter.

Form: F02069-

Willie Boy²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: L Treadwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132| D

6/1

Fell at the first on chase bow at Sandown before winning comfortably at Uttoxeter despite a major blunder two out. Very unexposed (sixth start here) and represents a top yard so has to be considered with potential hard to gauge,

Form: 1335F1-

Exxaro^b,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131| D

12/1

Yet to win in nine chase starts with a summer sequences of four seconds over distances from 2m5f to 2m7f. Drop back to this trip will help after lesser runs last twice but not obviously well handicapped.

Form: 222240

Greybougg²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: N J Hawke| OR: 131| D

6/1

Front-runner who got off the mark at the ninth time of asking over fences with concluding run last season. 8lb rise for that not unfair given comfortable nature and if he's fully fit he will take some pegging back.

Form: UP2331-

West Wizard^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 128

16/1

On the go through the summer for new yard and ran one good race when second at Bangor. Pulled up after a break at Cheltenham last time and looks up against it here.

Form: 24-026P

Colin's Brother²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126

8/1

Struggled with hike in weight after landing a quick double last winter with a pulled up at Hereford and distant third of four at Ludlow concluding his season. Eased slightly but questions to answer on reappearance.

Form: 19/11P3-

Fortunate George¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125| D

12/1

Average efforts in two chases to start this season, a novice at Fontwell and novices handicap at Worcester. Jumped notably right latest so major concern going this way round.

Form: 2315-53

Mr Medic²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 124| D

7/2

Poor hurdler but different proposition since switched to chasing, winning three of five. Most recent run saw him bolt up Exeter. 15lb hike makes life significantly tougher but remains on the upgrade.

Form: 6/11U-61

Gores Island¹⁷⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| D

10/1

Veteran who was second of four by 8L in each of last two starts at Plumpton. Likes quick ground best so while his mark is falling he may not find conditions ideal.

Form: 35F52-2

Forecasts

Mr Medic (7/2), Crosspark (5/1), Willie Boy (6/1), Greybougg (6/1), Henri Parry Morgan (8/1), Colin's Brother (8/1), Gores Island (10/1), Fortunate George (12/1), Exxaro (12/1), West Wizard (16/1)

It is worth chancing the unexposed WILLIE BOY here for the Venetia Williams team. He won with plenty in hand in his second steeplechase at Uttoxeter and could easily prove better than his opening handicap mark. Crosspark is also respected despite top-weight and the presence of the champion jockey for the first time speaks volumes about his expectations. Likable front-runner Greybougg is capable of a big run also if he is ready for his return.