16:45 Newton Abbot

Wednesday 8 May 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:20

newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 7m 1.30s

Aubusson¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 131

15/2

Up 4lb after his win at Ludlow last month (made all) but this is a a tougher assignment and he'll do well to fend off all comers on these terms.

Form: 457P91-

Thumb Stone Blues^t,v1²⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 131

7/1

Form figures read well but are possibly flattering as he's wasted a couple of decent chances to add to his tally. Still 8lb above his last winning mark but has yet to win over fences; needs to be more determined in a finish than he was last time out

Form: 23220/2-

Chic Name^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 130| D

4/1

Good effort in the Scottish National latest (raced in a first-time tongue tie on that occasion) and likely to appreciate this ease in grade/trip. Won well at Newbury on his penultimate start and feasible he'll go close from just 5lb higher here.

Form: 056718-

Perform⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

5/1

Yet to win over fences and has something to find after being pulled up at Newbury in March. Probable that he's a lot better than that but he does look risky for win only purposes on the back of that poor run.

Form: 4/7433P-

Calin Du Brizais¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 122| CD

12/1

C&D winner in May 2017 but has been inconsistent since and is difficult to recommend as one to follow with maximum confidence despite him posting signs of a revival lately.

Form: 4229U2-

Vice Et Vertu^b⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

9/1

Handily weighted but could still do with a bit more ease from the handicapper before he can truly be considered as well handicapped. Last three starts suggest he might be losing a bit of interest.

Form: P/12765-

You Say What^b,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| BF

10/3

Best form under rules has been posted at Exeter but he does stay this trip well and would have a reasonable chance of making the frame if he can maintain his effort. Completion rate away from his favourite course is poor though.

Form: 12PP/63-

Gardiners Hill^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: James Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 112| D

8/1

The gelding has won three times since last November and his attitude can hardly be faulted. However, he's of limited ability and has a still task ahead from 8lb higher than his last winning mark.

Form: 351552-

Non-Runners

Minella On Line¹³⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: O Sherwood J: Harrison Beswick

Forecasts

You Say What (10/3), Chic Name (4/1), Perform (5/1), Minella On Line (6/1), Thumb Stone Blues (7/1), Aubusson (15/2), Gardiners Hill (8/1), Vice Et Vertu (9/1), Calin Du Brizais (12/1)

CHIC NAME ran as well as could be expected in the Scottish National last month and will find this ease in grade and trip is more in keeping with his ability levels. It's worth noting that he's 5lb above his last winning mark, so it would come as no surprise to the likes of Calin Du Brizals and Perform exploit any weakness shown by the selection. Minella On Line is another to bear in mind.