15:45 Newbury

Tuesday 29 December 2020

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

MansionBet's Faller Insurance Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 11.50s

Shanacoole Prince²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| D

6/1

Point winner who showed plenty of ability in novice hurdles last term. Put in a good round of jumping when second to a race-fit rival on return/chase debut at Southwell (2m) and improvement likely.

Form: 31P/12-2

King D'Argent¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

5/2

Winner of just one of his 12 starts over hurdles, but should accrue a better strike rate in this sphere judged on recent Warwick (2m) chase debut success. Big player despite going up 11 lb.

Form: 835-231

Funambule Sivola²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| BF

9/2

Left hurdles form behind when making a winning reappearance/chase debut at Wetherby. Seemingly unsuited by more patient tactics upped to 2½m at Sandown since and better expected back in trip here.

Form: 0F55-15

Doitforthevillage^b1¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Henderson| OR: 121| D

20/1

Useful at best, but signs of decline last term and hasn't shown much of his old spark in a handful of runs this time round either. Hopes pinned on first-time blinkers sparking a revival.

Form: 946-04P

Exelerator Express^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 119| BF

7/2

Hurdles winner who has shaped encouragingly in 2 starts over fences, latterly beaten 7 lengths by Funambule Sivola at Wetherby. Meets that rival on 12 lb better terms here and he's one to consider.

Form: 2512-42

Bridle Loanan²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118| D

9/1

Winning pointer who made it 2-4 in this sphere when running away with a 19.5f Fontwell handicap chase 3 weeks ago. Now 8 lb higher in a tougher race, so more needed here.

Form: 5651-71

Finnegan's Garden¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Page Fuller| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 113| D

25/1

Veteran who ended last season with a pair of victories at up to 17f . Third off 2 lb higher mark over this C&D recently, but was beaten 17½ lengths and may again find one or two too good.

Form: 311-533

Shut The Box^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 113| D

8/1

Winning hurdler who made a solid start over fences when third at Wincanton (15.7f) last month. Looked a non-stayer upped to 20.5f at Doncaster since and each-way claims back at this trip.

Form: 080-233

Forecasts

King D'Argent (5/2), Exelerator Express (7/2), Funambule Sivola (9/2), Shanacoole Prince (6/1), Shut The Box (8/1), Bridle Loanan (9/1), Doitforthevillage (20/1), Finnegan's Garden (25/1)

Preference in this competitive race is for EXELERATOR EXPRESS, who couldn't match strides with Funambule Sivola at Wetherby last month but enjoys a significant pull at the weights with that rival here. Shanacoole Prince made a positive start in this sphere on his Southwell reappearance and should have more to offer, while King d'Argent won well on chase debut at Warwick and also merits respect.