13:23 Newcastle

Saturday 8 January 2022

All12:1312:4813:2313:5814:3315:0815:43

QuinnBet Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:23 | Winning time: 6m 19.20s

Mulcahys Hill^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127

12/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who, following a lengthy layoff, proved that some ability remains with a couple of respectable efforts over hurdles last month. However, good deal more needed back chasing.

Form: 1P20/97

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Donna's Delight⁶⁷²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 123

14/1

Was going well over fences after a breathing operation when last seen, winning a couple of staying handicaps at Ayr. Resumes on a workable mark, but it's reasonable to believe that he'll need the run.

Form: 334511/

Crixus's Escape^p1,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 120

11/1

Useful at his best, but ended last season on a downer and it's hard to glean any positives from his efforts at Ayr and Haydock since returning to action in November.

Form: 1FP6-6P

Mr Scrumpy³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 120| C

9/2

Multiple hurdles winner who showed more than on his chase debut when fourth in a C&D handicap last month. Eased 2 lb and could make his presence felt if brushing up in the jumping department.

Form: 79UP-54

Bavington Bob²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 117| CD

13/8

Made it 3 handicap hurdle wins in a row when getting up close home on return at Hexham. Built on chase debut promise when scoring over this C&D 3 weeks ago and nudged up just 1 lb for that.

Form: 11-1521

The Paddy Pie⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117| C

17/2

Winless for best part of 2 years and he had the run of things when third in a 5-runner Carlisle handicap on return following a wind op in October, spoiling his chance by jumping/hanging left.

Form: 33723-3

Manetti^p¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 113

17/2

Notched third success over fence in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr (3m) recently, despite some indifferent jumping. However, more needed up 5 lb in what looks a stronger race.

Form: 502-341

Grange Ranger³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 112

18/1

Opened chase account off this mark at Wetherby last term, but it's been an inauspicious start to the present campaign and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: P12-36P

Scoop The Pot^p³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 109| CD

11/1

Veteran who took advantage of his sliding mark when narrowly prevailing over this C&D last month. 4 lb rise manageable and couldn't rule out another bold show.

Form: 7-03561

Forecasts

Bavington Bob (13/8), Mr Scrumpy (9/2), The Paddy Pie (17/2), Manetti (17/2), Crixus's Escape (11/1), Scoop The Pot (11/1), Mulcahys Hill (12/1), Donna's Delight (14/1), Grange Ranger (18/1)

BAVINGTON BOB jumped well when opening his chase account at the second attempt over this C&D and a 1 lb rise for that looks very fair, even though the race in question ended up as just a 2-horse affair. He is open to improvement in this sphere and gets the nod ahead of Mr Scrumpy, who was behind Scoop The Pot here recently but a 6 lb pull gives him a fighting chance of reversing those placings.