12:25 Newcastle

Saturday 1 December 2018

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:20

Equine Products UK Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 5m 11.20s

Copper West²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 117

3/1

Frustratingly remains a maiden under rules (0-10), finishing runner-up for the third time when beaten just over 1L by Nightfly at Wetherby (2m3f+, good); the switch to a stiffer track/longer trip could feasibly help to deliver the goods.

Form: 35-2242

Just Georgie²³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117| BF

13/2

Consistent, if unspectacular in two starts since winning at Wetherby (3m, heavy) in February; today's ground conditions mightn't quite be soft enough on first outing for 238 days.

Form: 2U6132-

Marley Firth²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

2/1

Lost his way over hurdles at the back-end of last season after finishing a fair third to Billingsley at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in February; improvement possible on his second start over fences, and also on his second run since wind surgery.

Form: 46355-9

Sudski Star^p,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 116| D

33/1

Thrashed by the one-eared Ryalex (beaten 24L) at Carlisle latest but that was probably an improved run of sorts; 6-20 over fences; historically is more of a Kelso specialist.

Form: 1-34452

Cesar Et Rosalie^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114| D

10/1

Tailed-off when pulled up on chasing debut (Marley Firth ninth) at Chepstow 24 days ago; is a two-time hurdles winner (2m1f-2m4f), albeit rather bossed both of those lesser events; plenty to prove over these tricky fences.

Form: 2/1267-P

Orioninverness^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 109| CD

7/1

Made an inauspicious start over fences but is getting his act together nowadays; backed up his April C&D win (on very deep ground) with a narrow defeat of the unlucky Jaunty Thor at Perth in September (2m4f, good); chance despite a career high mark.

Form: 413-F13

Halcyon Days^p⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 109| C

12/1

Very likeable and tough sort who was in terrific form in the 16-17 season winning six handicaps over fences; regained that positive momentum when adding another win at Carlisle (2m good to soft) latest; stable in-form; longer trip the question mark.

Form: 4PP2-61

Dimple²⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 107

9/1

Hasn't really delivered under rules but is 3-3 in Irish PTP's, initiating the link between local owner Dave Armstrong and promising young rider Liam Quinlan; first start for Sandy Thomson after leaving the care of Iain Jardine.

Form: P1P/3P5-

Forecasts

Marley Firth (2/1), Copper West (3/1), Just Georgie (13/2), Orioninverness (7/1), Dimple (9/1), Cesar Et Rosalie (10/1), Halcyon Days (12/1), Sudski Star (33/1)

An open contest in which a strong opinion isn't formed. From a handicapping perspective the most interesting horse is Dimple (also held an option in the French Furze). He has had various trainers despite the continuous presence of the black & white Armstrong silks but has demonstrated that ability lies within in Irish PTP's. Orioninverness has slowly improved over fences and is a C&D winner who now competes from a career high mark, whilst the admirable Halcyon Days is vulnerable at 2m4f. Therefore, a tentative shout is MARLEY FIRTH who admittedly must recapture the pick of his hurdles form, yet could well do so with the benefit of a recent run post wind surgery.