14:10 Newcastle

Tuesday 28 January 2020

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

Watch Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 22.10s

Ascot De Bruyere^b³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 129| CD

10/1

Three-time Newcastle winner (twice over C&D); truly clobbered by the handicapper following his 18L romp in February 2019; that appears to be a major barrier to further success.

Form: 6112-36

Rock On Fruity²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 127| CD

33/1

Made a mockery of a mark of 125 when winning at odds of 40-1 here (2m4f, soft) in December 2018 before doubling-up over C&D the following month; struggling of late (and not fencing with any real fluency); stablemate of Scoop The Pot.

Form: 1954-PP

Fortified Bay^p1³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 125| D

11/1

Back to form in no uncertain manner when beating a pair of subsequent winners (Oscar Wilde & Neachells Bridge) at Market Rasen (2m5½f, soft) on Boxing Day; strong in terms of stamina; of some interest off a 5lb higher mark with cheekpieces fitted.

Form: 122451

Glittering Love³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125

9/2

Progressive over fences, winning four on the spin under testing conditions (2m4f-3m); was still travelling well when hitting the deck five out here (2m4f, soft) immediately prior to Christmas; is very much respected for Richards and Hughes.

Form: 4/1111-F

Scoop The Pot²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 125| D

50/1

Twice a winner over fences (Exeter & Fontwell) for Philip Hobbs; has eased in the weights (some 8lb or so) since joining Ben Haslam; well beaten fourth (held by Capard King) over C&D 24 days ago; stablemate of Rock On Fruity.

Form: 724744

Runswick Royal¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: R D Day| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 125| C| D

20/1

One-time classy hurdler/chaser; won the Listed Premier Chase from a mark of 144 at Kelso (2m7½f) in Feb 2015; was returning from over 2½ years off the track when toiling at Sedgefield (2m3½f) 18 days ago; the handicapper is giving him every chance.

Form: 11007/5

Hill Sixteen¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 121

11/4

Cost £100,000 in April 2018; since shown to be a dour stayer who certainly doesn't do anything quickly; 4lb higher than when responding to Danny Cook's persistent efforts at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) 18 days ago.

Form: 14-6641

Capard King²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 120| CD

3/1

Posted an exemplary round of fencing when successful over C&D in mid-December; 2lb lower than when a highly commendable third to the subsequent Ascot scorer Domaine De L'Isle latest; not the type of horse to dismiss lightly.

Form: 2UP-313

Cash To Ash^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 120| CD

5/1

On an upward curve; most unlucky at Wetherby (3m, soft) prior to winning unchallenged over C&D (soft) six weeks ago. However, this is undoubtedly a much more competitive race and he has an 8lb weights rise; merely playing for a place?

Form: 23-P2F1

Boric^p³³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Bewley| T: S Waugh| OR: 112| C

14/1

A stout stayer, career highlight came when a game winner of the Highlands National (3m6f) at Perth in April 2017; placed in the Durham National of 2018 and again in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen (3m3½f) on Boxing Day; speed?

Form: 223-733

Non-Runners

Cairnshill³⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: Kenny Johnson J: Alison Clarke

Forecasts

Hill Sixteen (11/4), Capard King (3/1), Glittering Love (9/2), Cash To Ash (5/1), Ascot De Bruyere (10/1), Fortified Bay (11/1), Boric (14/1), Runswick Royal (20/1), Cairnshill (25/1), Rock On Fruity (33/1), Scoop The Pot (50/1)

An ultra-competitive 3m handicap chase in which a reasoned argument can be made for a number of those declared, not least the progressive Glittering Love and the fluent fencing Capard King. However, fortune often favours the brave so we'll elect to take on the recent C&D winner Cash To Ash (8lb weights rise) and the Sedgefield scorer Hill Sixteen (looks to be very hard work for Danny Cook) with the Jennie Candlish-trained FORTIFIED BAY. The selection was strong at the finish when out-battling a pair of subsequent winners at Market Rasen (2m5½f) on Boxing Day and promises to be even better suited by today's extra yardage.