14:05 Newbury

Saturday 2 March 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:1516:50

William Hill Supporting Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 37.15s

The Last Samuri⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 150| BF| D

3/1

Former Grand National second hasn't won since 2016 but rarely runs a bad race. Second in Portman Cup at Taunton latest over 3m4½f another solid effort and with further assistance from the handicapper he again should make a bold bid.

Form: 243P-52

Abolitionist¹¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 145

11/2

Former Irish National third returned from long absence for stable debut where he trotted up over hurdles at Aintree. Much higher mark over fences but if all ability remains he will take an awful lot of beating and latest suggests that likely.

Form: 2213/0-1

Joe Farrell³¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 142| C

8/1

Gained first chase win here (2m7½f) last season before following up with 33/1 Scottish National win (4m). Likely this a prep for Aintree or Ayr again and 7lb higher on belated reappearance so perhaps one best watched for other days.

Form: 424311-

Houblon Des Obeaux^p²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142| C

12/1

2016 Grade Two win here one of seven career chase successes. Not always the most consistent as shown by last two starts, a 15L defeat of Theatre Guide at Sandown followed by a remote 10th over same C&D. Handicap mark restrictive.

Form: F9-6610

Milansbar⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: N B King| OR: 138

14/1

Betfred Classic Handicap Chase win last season over 3m5f at Warwick a real highlight and also fifth in the National. Only eighth latest in repeat bid at Warwick and earlier start this term also below par. Others preferred now.

Form: 1525-58

Theatre Guide^b,t⁵⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| D

12/1

Not won since 2016 but after a prolonged spell of form suggesting decline he ran a much better race latest when second to Houblon Des Obeaux. 7lb better off with that rival now so could turn the tables and not ruled out.

Form: PF7-002

Marcilhac⁴³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

28/1

Ludlow winner in 2017 understandably stable second string on jockey bookings on first run in 437 days. Likely need the run and best form in any case looks a little short.

Form: 51/P252-

Carole's Destrier^p¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137| CD

6/1

Gained first win in three years over C&D in December. Fair fourth next at Warwick (3m5f) before pulled up latest after being severely hampered by a faller. Only 2lb higher than December win and not ruled out.

Form: 5-3P14P

Ziga Boy^p⁷⁶³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 137| D

28/1

763 days since bold jumping make all in 2017 Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Same mark here so would certainly be capable if fully wound up but remarkable training performance required. Market may guide.

Form: 865U31/

Shanroe Santos^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Maxime Tissier⁽⁵⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 135

5/1

Winner over 3m3½f at Fontwell earlier this season but struggles to make much impression since. Plugged on for seventh of 16 at Sandown latest and similar sort of effort likely.

Form: 6-41427

Perform^p⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

10/1

Very lightly raced for his age but hints of potential off this sort of mark lately. Only 1lb higher than close third at Wincanton two starts back and capable of a similarly bold bid here with feather weight.

Form: F4-7433

Non-Runners

Exitas¹⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 11

T: P W Middleton J: Luca Morgan

Forecasts

The Last Samuri (3/1), Shanroe Santos (5/1), Abolitionist (11/2), Carole's Destrier (6/1), Joe Farrell (8/1), Perform (10/1), Theatre Guide (12/1), Houblon Des Obeaux (12/1), Milansbar (14/1), Exitas (20/1), Marcilhac (28/1), Ziga Boy (28/1)

High class in his earlier days, ABOLITIONIST is a strong fancy here on the back of a very impressive reappearance win over hurdles. Admittedly his chase mark is some 23lb higher than that win but he was third in an Irish National off the same and appeals plenty therefore. Popular sort The Last Samuri is certainly overdue and deserving of a win and that is entirely possible here. Unexposed sort Perform is an interesting contender also worthy of consideration.