15:35 Newbury

Saturday 28 December 2019

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

Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 42.44s

Tidal Flow^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| C

5/2

Promise shown on his chasing debut (strong form) came to fruition last time out when he got off the mark over fences back in cheekpieces. Yet to run in a handicap over jumps so quite hard for the handicapper to assess; mark looks fair, more to come.

Form: 1642-31

Mellow Ben⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 143| D

25/1

Improved on his fair hurdles form over fences winning twice this autumn before finding his revised mark (145) too tough to deal with last time out. Handicapper leaves him on the same mark; break nay have done him good but others appeal more.

Form: 382114

Kateson²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: T Lacey| OR: 138| C

9/2

Matched and may have even bettered his useful hurdles form when making a good fist of his chasing debut although his finishing effort wasn't the strongest. Now goes handicapping (3lb lower than his last hurdles effort); ought to get involved.

Form: 1377-72

Commodore Barry^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135

14/1

Won four times over hurdles last year and very much looked as though he would make a chaser. Early signs were very promising over fences until he blotted his copybook by running out at Leicester last time; chance on his best behaviour.

Form: 113-22R

Burbank^b²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| C

17/2

Made the most of an easy opportunity at Kempton to open his chasing account at the third attempt earlier in the year. May have needed the run on his return at Sandown recently although his mark looks quite a testing one; has shown some quirks.

Form: 9/204-15

Diable De Sivola⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133

16/1

Has plenty of experience over fences but as yet has failed to win in nine starts in this sphere. Returned to form last time when second at Plumpton but as often happens was beaten by a less-exposed individual; more of the same likely here.

Form: 223-772

Down The Highway²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 127

16/1

Transferred his patchy hurdles form to this sphere with his two runs so far leaving a lot to be desired (supported on both starts). Pulled up on his latest start after travelling well but then folding quickly, hard to have any confidence in him.

Form: 1P48-5P

Kapgarry³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126

9/1

Flattered the 10L win at Wetherby on his second chasing start although that did show a fair progression from his first attempt in this discipline. Given a hefty 9lb rise for his win he failed to shine last time; the 3m trip may have been too testing.

Form: 60P-316

Morning Vicar⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| BF| C

7/2

Yet to try the larger obstacles but this course winner looks nicely handicapped on his hurdles form. Ran his best race at Kempton last time (2m5f, handicap debut); has the size and scope to make a chaser; one of the leading candidates.

Form: 72/317-2

Post War¹⁰⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

40/1

Lightly-raced bumper/hurdles sort who made a winning debut over the smaller obstacles three years ago. Only run once since and returns from a long absence, with a top yard and would not be a surprise to see him run well despite the time off.

Form: 863613/

Big Nasty⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 120

28/1

Quickly sent over fences (only had four bumper/hurdles runs) running to a decent level on his chasing/handicap debut. The 2m4f trip looked a little on the short side and he should be better suited by this distance; stiff task from out of the weights.

Form: 342-42

Forecasts

Tidal Flow (5/2), Morning Vicar (7/2), Kateson (9/2), Burbank (17/2), Kapgarry (9/1), Commodore Barry (14/1), Diable De Sivola (16/1), Down The Highway (16/1), Mellow Ben (25/1), Big Nasty (28/1), Post War (40/1)

Plenty here that could be given a chance of winning this with topweight Tidal Flow one of those after he strolled home at Uttoxeter on his second chasing start with his mark not looking unduly harsh. Kateson showed that he could be as useful in this sphere as he was over hurdles and there was plenty to like about his chasing debut although he needs to work on his finishing effort. Nicky Henderson is triple-handed and whilst Burbank and even the long absent Post War are interesting it looks as though his No1 hope is MORNING VICAR. A bumper winner here on his debut this has always looked to be the discipline he would excel in and he’s nicely weighted for his chasing debut.