14:40 Newbury

Saturday 2 March 2019

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

William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 56.65s

Dolos^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154

5/1

Back to winning ways latest when scoring over 2m at Sandown (soft). Upped 5lb to this career high mark only adding to the difficulty here. Equally effective over this trip and remains on the up but new handicap asks a lot.

Form: 72-2231

Warriors Tale^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| CD

14/1

Winner of the Grand Sefton over the National fences penultimately but less effective since when pulled up at Doncaster where he never recovered after a mid-race error. Can do better than that but handicap is restrictive.

Form: 22P-41P

Master Dee^t¹³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: F O'Brien| OR: 151| DWS

25/1

Lightly raced considering age but does have a good record overall. Won final start last season in taking fashion at Kempton but pulled up only start this term in October. Since had a wind-op so better now likely but may just need the run.

Form: 2/3321-P

Mercian Prince⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 149| D

16/1

Took advantage of a class drop latest when hacking up in a small field Kempton contest. 10lb rise sees him at a career high now but manner of that 17L success certainly suggests he could still be improving; respected.

Form: 105-671

Javert¹⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 149| D

8/1

Four-time winner over fences chased home Gold Cup hope Frodon two starts back before a respectable sixth in the BetVictor Gold Cup. Gets 1lb back for that and now capable of a bold bid if fully ready after a break.

Form: 1U1/126

San Benedeto^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

11/1

Prolific novice including Grade One win but difficult in subsequent two seasons with no wins in 13. Trounced by stablemate Cyrname latest although no disgrace in that. Overall handicap still appears too high for current level.

Form: 363460

War Sound³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143| D

7/1

Aintree win first time out his first chase success. Since struggled in hot Cheltenham handicaps but back on a flatter track he should prove more effective and suspect current handicap mark is within range.

Form: 222-108

Valdez⁷⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142| C

16/1

Best effort since near four-year absence latest when fourth of 10 in a decent Ascot handicap. Could do better now with that run under his belt and last run more notable considering quite tender riding.

Form: 2F/3U-P4

Happy Diva^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 142| D

11/2

Highly consistent mare back to winning ways latest when winning a mares only chase at Huntingdon. Not disgraced previously behind subsequent Grade One winner in last handicap and again expectant of customary bold bid.

Form: 1-2B231

Gala Ball⁷⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141| C

20/1

Not seen since 2017 novice campaign where he won before twice chasing home Warriors Tale. Could well prove attractively handicapped if retaining all ability but tall order after such an absence.

Form: 223122/

Azzuri^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

50/1

Four-time winner in Ireland but tailed off behind Dolos at Sandown on stable debut and similar struggles latest at Wincanton. Big step up required now.

Form: 431-184

Value At Risk⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| C| D

14/1

Gained third chase win latest in a lesser contest at Market Rasen but remains 10lb lower over fences than hurdles where he was smart in his younger days. Only upped 2lb for latest win but this much tougher.

Form: 1-85351

Dustin Des Mottes⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 133

9/1

Lightly raced ex-French trained gelding beaten just ½L into second at Ascot two starts back before an error-strewn disappointment at Cheltenham. Needs to jump better to do himself justice but if doing so has definite chance here.

Form: 3-11326

Nightfly^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132

20/1

9½L fourth to Happy Diva latest at Huntingdon but at level weights there with that rival so chance greater now in receipt of 8lb. Three chase wins all come on good so drier the better ground wise.

Form: 2-12124

Shanahan's Turn^t⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| D

33/1

2015 Galway Plate winner had some fair form for this yard last season albeit without success. Lost his way seemingly of late however and comes here on the back of three poor efforts.

Form: 2P-3786

Zalvados^b,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 125| BF

20/1

Consistent sort that has failed to get the head in front over fences. Looked to have a golden opportunity at Ayr last month and disappointing that he couldn't take advantage. Also declared here Friday 2.50.

Form: 043222

Forecasts

Dolos (5/1), Happy Diva (11/2), War Sound (7/1), Javert (8/1), Dustin Des Mottes (9/1), San Benedeto (11/1), Value At Risk (14/1), Warriors Tale (14/1), Valdez (16/1), Mercian Prince (16/1), Gala Ball (20/1), Zalvados (20/1), Nightfly (20/1), Master Dee (25/1), Shanahan's Turn (33/1), Azzuri (50/1)

A wide-open look to this handicap with not too many appealing as particularly well handicapped. Ultra-consistent mare HAPPY DIVA gets the vote after a solid win over an in-form horse at Huntingdon latest suggesting she is still thriving and she is a regular in these sort of contests. War Sound has been well backed for this contest and if back to his Aintree form earlier in the season he would have a big chance. Dolos appeals the most of the Ditcheat trio and the form of the Nicholls team makes him therefore worthy of serious respect.