14:35 Newcastle

Saturday 23 December 2017

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

bet365 Northumberland Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 17.8s

Dubai Angel⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 132| C

6/5

A useful novice hurdler (132 rated) who has extensive experience at this track; can get distressed post race. Goes well with cut, and this is probably his optimum trip. Shaped with promise when 5L third on chasing debut at Carlisle in October.

Form: 12121-3

Chidswell²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| C| D

4/1

Finally got his act together over fences, winning twice over this kind of trip on deep ground. Has blotted his copybook a fraction since off higher marks, but can go well fresh, so his absence isn't an undue concern. Strong, but a slow learner.

Form: 421135-

Saints And Sinners^t⁶¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 126| D

17/2

Landed a hat-trick in his novice days at the back end of 2014, so shouldn't be dismissed from a competitive mark. However, off the track since contesting the 2m4f Kilmany Cup at Perth in April 2016. Market helpful.

Form: 6533U6/

Alto Des Mottes^p²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: H Hogarth| OR: 125| C

14/1

Had an in and out campaign last term but showed a liking for a stamina test when scoring over 3m here in January; and is just 2lb higher today. Highly tried thereafter, and not seen since a hurdles start in May.

Form: P61FP-5

Un Guet Apens^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 124| D

7/1

Rated higher over fences than over hurdles, and has been given a 4lb hike for his seasonal reappearance success at Carlisle in November (2m4f soft). That said; he's still well treated off a mark 9lb below his previous chasing start in March 2015.

Form: 5/P22-16

Full Shift^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 123| C| D

25/1

Hasn't won a race since Boxing Day 2015 (when with Nicky Henderson), so to an extent his convictions are beginning to stack up. Fallen 7lb since joining this trainer, but struggled from halfway (pulled up) on seasonal bow at Kelso in November.

Form: 6023-4P

Never Up²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 119| D

11/1

Posted an eye-catching seasonal reappearance when making all and fencing with fluency to score at Carlisle in late October (2m4f heavy). Disappointing for no apparent reason next time at Wetherby, but respected back over this trip off a fair mark.

Form: 143-214

Leanna Ban^t⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 109| D

10/1

Dictated the pace when a runner up at Kelso on his penultimate start when beaten by a well handicapped (previously luckless) rival in Red Giant, but found out next time down south at Stratford. Other younger horses offer more potential here.

Form: 223-72P

Forecasts

Dubai Angel (6/5), Chidswell (4/1), Un Guet Apens (7/1), Saints And Sinners (17/2), Leanna Ban (10/1), Never Up (11/1), Alto Des Mottes (14/1), Full Shift (25/1)

The Northumberland Chase is the feature contest on the final day of racing at Newcastle in 2017, and a decent race is in store with a good tempo guaranteed by the likes of Never Up and Leanna Ban. Un Guet Apens favours chasing to hurdling, and there must be a school of thought which suggests that he's still on a fair mark over fences these days despite being raised 4lb for his Carlisle success last month. Chidswell is best described as a 'bit of a lad', but on his better days he's a useful horse, but the likeliest winner here is the unexposed DUBAI ANGEL. He stays well (further), but this is probably his optimum trip, and he arrives a fresh horse for this race after making a pleasing fencing debut at Carlisle in October when finishing 5L third to course specialist Derintoher Yank.