14:25 Newbury

Saturday 29 December 2018

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 44.75s

Reikers Island²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

9/4

Looked a stayer in short hurdles campaign where he won once and showed that when winning in facile fashion at Wincanton latest over 3m1f after a promising third to start chasing career. Up 13lb but suspect he has plenty more to come.

Form: 1F15-31

Sir Ivan^t²⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 136WS

12/1

In and out nature of his form advertised last season with three wins and three incompletions in seven starts. Third and probably held when a faller two out in last start and last three over fences he hasn't finished.

Form: 13PP1F-

Carole's Destrier^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 135| BF

12/1

2016 Hennessy runner-up hasn't won since and largely appears regressive. Third on return this season a promising enough effort but since been pulled-up so red flags return and yard's form a further concern.

Form: 8PP5-3P

Ballydine²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133

11/2

Missed 607 days after smart novice hurdle campaign in 2015/16 but ability remains and gained first chase win to end last year at Sandown over 3m. Midfield on return but can come on plenty for that and danger off his lower chase mark.

Form: 29/231-5

Aurillac^p⁶⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 132WS

6/1

Maiden over fences but chased home a number of smart performers often with merit in his novice campaign of 2016/17. Long absence to overcome here so doubts aplenty but this mark is highly appealing on old form so market check advised.

Form: 2322PP/

Vice Et Vertu^b³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 130

12/1

Progressive chaser has a good record overall and started this season with another solid effort when second at Ascot in a 3m handicap. 3lb rise to a career high mark here but slightly longer trip in his favour and genuine claims.

Form: P13P-12

Sandy Beach^p,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127| C| D

11/2

Winner on this course over 2m4f on this mark in 2016 and won first race since on recent reappearance at Uttoxeter over 3m2f. 8lb higher now but unexposed over this sort of trip and leading contender here.

Form: P/7332-1

Scotchtown^v1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120

10/1

Maiden over fences has finished midfield in two chase starts so far this term. Now 15lb lower than hurdling mark so plenty of potential if trainer can unlock that with the first-time visor.

Form: 5429-64

Hey Bill²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 120

33/1

Dual winner at Ludlow last season (2m4f and 3m) but well below that level there on return and since unseated when beaten at Sandown. Major step up now required.

Form: 1B21-6U

Frankly Speaking²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 112

16/1

10-race maiden was a one-paced fourth on chase debut at Wetherby. Encouraging enough effort that and extra 2f should suit but much stronger contest here.

Form: 3422-74

Forecasts

Reikers Island (9/4), Ballydine (11/2), Sandy Beach (11/2), Aurillac (6/1), Scotchtown (10/1), Carole's Destrier (12/1), Vice Et Vertu (12/1), Sir Ivan (12/1), Frankly Speaking (16/1), Hey Bill (33/1)

Unexposed REIKERS ISLAND was very impressive at Wincanton and looks a staying handicapper to stay on the right side of at present so he gets the nod in this valuable contest. Vice Et Vertu has a fine strike rate and started this season with a staying on second over 3m so he can build on that and again go close here with an extra 2f in his favour. Another starting the season well was Sandy Beach who could be open to improvement now over this sort of trip.