16:50 Newton Abbot

Friday 2 July 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 6m 23.49s

Ballyegan Hero¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Two from his last three and had loads in hand in a 4-runner event over C&D 11 days ago, scoring by a wide margin. Looks the one to beat under a penalty.

Form: 54-3161

Easyrun De Vassy^b,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 114| BF| D

12/1

Made a winning start over fences at Fontwell (3¼m) in 2019 but below form on both subsequent outings. Might strip fitter for latest effort (returning from 10 months off), so not totally dismissed.

Form: P/4217-3

Mr Mafia^p²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 113| CD

9/1

Veteran who put a string of inauspicious efforts behind him when second at Worcester in May. Better than the result when fifth back there since and treated as if still in form.

Form: 25P5-25

Danboru^t⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112| C

22/1

Successful over hurdles/fences in 2019 and, with a run under his belt, showed that he retains plenty of ability when second over fences at Chepstow 83 days ago. Well treated if he can build on that.

Form: 2F4P/62-

Cesar Et Rosalie^p,t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 111

6/1

Has struggled for form since 2019 but handicap mark continues to slide and he might strip fitter for his fifth at Worcester 51 days ago. One to consider if market speaks in his favour.

Form: UP/457-5

Heavey^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 109

9/2

Fair hurdles winner who ran well when second in that sphere at Southwell in December. Strong in betting but held back by jumping over fences back there last time but he remains low-mileage over fences

Form: F2602-4

Friends Don't Ask^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Martin Smith| OR: 105| D

7/2

Fontwell winner in March and got back on the up when second under a positive ride at the same course 33 days ago. Another bold showing expected.

Form: 51P1-32

Plantagenet^b1,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 103| D

9/1

Losing run is building and he was pulled up at Fontwell 33 days ago, so needs first-time blinkers to perk him up no end.

Form: 0P43-4P

Findusatgorcombe^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: J D Frost| OR: 102| C| D

25/1

Won last year but neither of his performance so far this term would inspire much confidence.

Form: 4127-94

Forecasts

Ballyegan Hero (3/1), Friends Don't Ask (7/2), Heavey (9/2), Cesar Et Rosalie (6/1), Mr Mafia (9/1), Plantagenet (9/1), Easyrun De Vassy (12/1), Danboru (22/1), Findusatgorcombe (25/1)

BALLYEGAN HERO bolted up over C&D 11 days ago and makes obvious appeal in his bid to follow up under a penalty. Friends Don't Ask looks the main danger, but market support for Danboru would look significant.