15:15 Newcastle

Saturday 28 November 2020

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 56.3s

Definitly Red^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 158| D

18/1

Kelso listed win in February in cheekpieces suggests he retains most of his ability and, despite a lacklustre return in the Charlie Hall, he's fancied to get back on track with the headgear refitted.

Form: 54421-8

Pym²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154

7/2

Made a good start to his chasing career last term and, after a couple of dismal runs, he was firmly back on track to land a listed race at Sandown on reappearance. Well respected back in a handicap.

Form: 211PP-1

Brave Eagle^b1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| D

13/2

Low-mileage over fences (won 4 from 8) but never travelled/jumped with much fluency when fifth of 7 on return at Chepstow (23.6f) in October. That ought to have blown the cobwebs away. Blinkers on.

Form: 3/1180-5

Takingrisks^p²⁸

40/1

Landed this from a 4 lb lower mark last season and tame return over hurdles at Ayr (well beaten in same race in 2019) was likely no more than a prep run. Can't be discounted.

Form: 1/5165-P

Whatmore²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 142| BF

9/4

Proved a useful, consistent novice chaser last season and took his form to a new level when runner-up in a handicap at Ascot on reappearance. Another bold showing expected.

Form: 34344-2

Yorkhill^t1³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 142| D

66/1

Winner of 4 Grade 1s in his prime but regressive nowadays and offered no promise on first outing since leaving Willie Mullins at Aintree 34 days ago.

Form: 1P4FP-P

The Butcher Said^h,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 139

6/1

Useful hurdler who has made a positive start to chasing, landing a couple of novices before jumping lapses cost him in better company at Cheltenham. Opening mark of 139 looks more than fair.

Form: 52-1213

Charmant²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 137

28/1

Scored at Wetherby in January and, while below form both outings since, he may come on for his reappearance at the same track and the handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: F/451P-8

Cool Mix^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 132| BF| C

7/1

Underwent wind surgery following below par 2019/20 campaign and has resumed in good order this season, following success at Wetherby with a good third at Aintree last time. Up in grade now.

Form: 537-213

Shantou Village^t,v⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| BF| D

9/1

Not the force of old but, having attracted support, he performed respectably back over fences in a handicap at Chepstow 50 days ago. Not discounted, though this is more competitive.

Form: PP0-354

Forecasts

Whatmore (9/4), Pym (7/2), The Butcher Said (6/1), Brave Eagle (13/2), Cool Mix (7/1), Shantou Village (9/1), Definitly Red (18/1), Charmant (28/1), Takingrisks (40/1), Yorkhill (66/1)

WHATMORE is still getting better as a chaser and finished to good effect when a clear second in a handicap at Ascot on return, so he boasts excellent claims. Pym also makes plenty of appeal on the back of a listed success and Definitly Red shouldn't be discounted now the cheekpieces are back on.