15:30 Newton Abbot

Monday 23 April 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Bet In-Play At totesport.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 40.5s

Cawdor House Bert²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 100| BF

6/1

Off the mark over fences at Ffos Las in February and runner-up there since, has done the vast majority of his racing at that Welsh track, but entitled to be in the mix here.

Form: PP2P-12

Scenic Star^t²⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: M B Shears| OR: 98

40/1

Winner at Uttoxeter last summer over 2m6½f on this sort of ground when trained by Gavin Cromwell and solid enough performer at this level. Probably handicapped to the hilt on return from a layoff / first start for new trainer.

Form: F13444

For Carmel^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 94

7/2

Yet to score over hurdles or fences, was showing some promise in this sphere around the turn of the year but could of backwards steps since and poor last month at Chepstow (2m7½f, soft). Work to be done.

Form: 2322P8

Arquebusier^p,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 93WS

12/1

Would go close here based on runner-up finish at Chepstow in February over similar trip, failed to show that form in pair of outings since and has undergone wind surgery since last run.

Form: 6342P6

General Girling^b¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: R J Hodges| OR: 88

5/1

Inconsistent sort who showed in January that he is capable of bouncing back from a run of inept performances when scoring at Lingfield on testing ground over near three-mile trip. Well held on three most recent starts.

Form: P12P33

Matrow's Lady^p,t³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 86

11/2

Now back on the handicap mark from which she was a very easy winner at Lingfield in January 2017. Not really threatened to repeat that effort in four runs since.

Form: 4/133-4P

Sparky's Spirit¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 85

9/2

Ran as well as could be expected last time in three-runner Wincanton Novices' Chase, finishing within 8L of 133-rated Rayvin Black. Goes handicapping from a fair opening mark and worth considering.

Form: 4/0P782

Changing The Guard^t,v³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Dave Crosse| T: F Brennan| OR: 83| C

20/1

Losing run now stretches out more than two years and recent efforts don't suggest it will be broken here.

Form: 453444

Coudefoudre²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 77

6/1

Well held at Taunton last month on second chase start, but improved on debut in managing to complete the course at least. Must improve on the form of that 14L defeat to be in the shake-up.

Form: 6-P50U4

Monet Moor²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 69

22/1

Her point-to-point win in 2015 came on good ground and recent efforts indicate other reasons for concern, especially from 5lb out of the weights.

Form: P0/7P8-6

Forecasts

For Carmel (7/2), Sparky's Spirit (9/2), General Girling (5/1), Matrow's Lady (11/2), Coudefoudre (6/1), Cawdor House Bert (6/1), Arquebusier (12/1), Changing The Guard (20/1), Monet Moor (22/1), Scenic Star (40/1)

SPARKY'S SPIRIT finished a decent second Rayvin Black last time out and, while that form is hard to interpret literally, he must be given a chance of going well now switched to handicaps for the first time over fences off this mark. Coudefoudre is a potential improver while Cawdor House Bert has the form to be involved. After a wind operation, Arquebusier might return to the sort of form shown at Chepstow in February and would be competitive if doing so.