15:40 Newbury

Saturday 30 November 2019

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:40

Ladbrokes Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 58.90s

Bun Doran²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 150| D

9/1

Talented but frustrating over fences, having won 2-13 and been placed on seven occasions. Not at his best when last seen at Punchestown, but has claims from 2lb higher than his Grand Annual second in March.

Form: 35/122-5

Magic Saint¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

3/1

Was fancied and made favourite for the Grand Annual after a Wincanton win in February, but couldn't land a blow at Cheltenham. Was again below par there on his reappearance, but big player from this mark if bouncing back.

Form: 510F2-5

Tree Of Liberty²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 143| D

20/1

Has left Kerry Lee, for whom he won twice, since his last run at Cheltenham in April. Went close from this mark at Ludlow last season, but needs to get back on track and this is a tough race in which to try do so.

Form: 25/240U-

Chesterfield¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 143| C| D

12/1

Has shown a decent level of form in all four chase starts, winning one at Kempton (2m2f, good) this time last year. Won a competitive handicap hurdle from this mark, and has the ability to to make an impact.

Form: 3/2231-2

Whatswrongwithyou²⁴⁰

9/2

Dual novice chase winner at the start of the year. Behind some of these next time when tried in the Grand Annual, but that was a respectable effort. Still open to improvement. Each-way player if wind surgery has helped.

Form: 621178-

Theo^h⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142| D

16/1

Not at his best when upped in trip at Chepstow last time but entitled to consideration on what he achieved when 1L second at Kelso (2m1f, soft) prior to that. Each-way appeal.

Form: 269-224

Double W's¹⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 141| D

25/1

Complete a good ground hat-trick in the spring at 2m-2m1f. Slightly below that level when last seen at Uttoxeter in June. Can't rule him out from this mark, though soft ground is a concern.

Form: 9/61-113

Western Miller^p,t⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 139

66/1

Won at both Southwell and Stratford at around 2m4f in June, and was only 5-1 when last seen running from this mark at Uttoxeter in September (made bad mistake). Bit to prove, including on soft.

Form: P2-611P

No Comment^h¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138

4/1

Going on for three years since he last won a race, but put up his best effort for over two years at Hereford last time. Nudged back up 1lb for that, but would have to be considered each-way if able to repeat it.

Form: 236/55-3

Ashoka^p,t¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

12/1

4-9 over fences, and plenty to like about the way he won at Aintree last time. Up 5lb for that, and in deeper here, but still potentially well treated and has claims.

Form: 414/2-11

Dicosimo^t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

33/1

Won from today's mark over hurdles, and bettered that effort over fences when winning a 0-130 at Haydock in January. Not quite so easy to fancy on what he has achieved since, however, but tongue-tie goes on and yard going well.

Form: 14433-F

Vengeur De Guye^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| D

40/1

Sluiced up at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) on his reappearance last month, and the bare form of that gives him a chance from 8lb higher. Acts on soft, but likely to need another career best to follow-up.

Form: 2/5416-1

Ardmayle²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: James Bowen| T: A Stronge| OR: 128| D

33/1

3-5 over fences, and trounced his field at Sandown by 16L in March (1m7½f, soft), when 10lb lower. Never involved, but that was always likely to be the case, on reappearance over hurdles, but can't rule him out each-way.

Form: 1/4431-0

Solar Impulse^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 126| D

12/1

Former Grand Annual winner, but not as good these days and a place looks his best hope if things drop right.

Form: 127525

Non-Runners

Lady Buttons²⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 9

T: P A Kirby J: A Nicol

Forecasts

Magic Saint (3/1), No Comment (4/1), Whatswrongwithyou (9/2), Lady Buttons (5/1), Bun Doran (9/1), Chesterfield (12/1), Solar Impulse (12/1), Ashoka (12/1), Theo (16/1), Tree Of Liberty (20/1), Double W's (25/1), Ardmayle (33/1), Dicosimo (33/1), Vengeur De Guye (40/1), Western Miller (66/1)

Another very competitive event to close proceedings. Plenty of these are capable of winning if at their best, with Bun Doran, Lady Buttons and Magic Saint among them. Double W's ideally wants the ground to dry, while Theo, No Comment and Dicosimo are others with each-way claims. However, ASHOKA, may still have scope for more from this mark and is the suggestion.