15:35 Newbury

Saturday 29 December 2018

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

Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 5m 44.12s

Wenyerreadyfreddie³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148

15/8

Looked a natural over fences so far and comes here after back-to-back wins at Ascot over 2m3f. Second and third behind him latest both won since so suspect he is better than this handicap mark and longer trip will be no issue.

Form: 4P-2211

Polydora²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 142

9/2

Lightly raced sort off the mark at the second time of asking latest when jumping well to make all at Newcastle over 2m7½f. Upped 11lb for that 1¼L success so will have to improve further now but likelihood he can.

Form: 61U-231

Onefitzall²⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| C

8/1

Dual winner for Philip Hobbs in 2015/16 season but only raced twice in last two years and didn't finish in either of them. First run over fences, for this yard and this season so plenty to overcome.

Form: 4215/FP-

Head To The Stars²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 135

14/1

Dual hurdles scorer fell in first chase race and made countless errors latest before eventually being pulled-up. Has potential if he brushes up his jumping but at present that rather a big if.

Form: 222P-FP

Wilde Blue Yonder⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 134| BF| C

8/1

Course winner over hurdles has fallen four times since including in last two starts. Handicap mark probably not beyond him but jumping would have to be a concern now over fences for the first time.

Form: 0/334F-F

De Rasher Counter²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 133

10/1

15L behind Wenyerreadyfreddie when third on chasing debut but not built on it like that rival with a pulled-up at Hereford (excuses) and remote seventh at Exeter. Suspect there's better to come for respected yard.

Form: F72-3P7

Walt^t,v¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127

7/1

15L chase win, his first in nine starts rather came out of nowhere latest at Taunton. Hit with a 9lb rise for that which in itself isn't unfair but question is whether he can repeat the run now.

Form: P-20651

Golden Sunrise^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126

14/1

Progressive novice hurdler didn't impress with his jumping first time up at Uttoxeter before finally pulling up. In the right hands to sharpen up his technique but others more compelling.

Form: 24132-P

Mount Rushmoore^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120

33/1

Hurdles maiden was pulled up a long way out on chasing debut at Chepstow last month. Hopefully improve with time and now over fences but hard to fancy from 9lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3224-7P

Forecasts

Wenyerreadyfreddie (15/8), Polydora (9/2), Walt (7/1), Wilde Blue Yonder (8/1), Onefitzall (8/1), De Rasher Counter (10/1), Golden Sunrise (14/1), Head To The Stars (14/1), Mount Rushmoore (33/1)

WENYERREADYFREDDIE is a confident selection to follow up his back-to-back Ascot wins with the latest working out really well. Polydora impressed latest and rates the main danger with his jumping a clear plus. De Rasher Counter was promising first time over fences and while things haven't quite gone to plan since he still makes appeal off this mark.