15:08 Newcastle

Saturday 8 January 2022

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

Download The QuinnBet App Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 14.70s

Darius Des Sources^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 100| CD

20/1

Stepped up on return last season when off the mark over fences at Ayr (20.5f) but pulled up on 3 of his 4 starts since, including on return to action over C&D in November. Not the easiest to weigh up.

Form: 51P2P-P

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Rapid Raider¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 99| D

5/1

Going the right way on the back of a wind op this term, taking another step forward to complete the hat-trick at Musselburgh (23.7f) in December. Has to be of interest again despite career-high mark.

Form: 774111

Chesterville^p,h²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 96| D

14/1

Ex-Irish winning hurdler, but far from a natural chaser and hasn't made much of an impact in 4 starts for present yard.

Form: 8269B4

Just Don't Know²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: Paul Robson| OR: 95

25/1

Low-mileage ex-pointer who has yet to build on the promise of his fifth place finish over fences at Carlisle in April in 2 subsequent outings this winter. Needs to get back on track now.

Form: 1/555-5P

Bandit D'Ainay^p1¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 94

40/1

Fairly useful ex-French chaser but into veteran stage now and he's been below his best in a couple of starts upon joining Micky Hammond this winter. Refitted cheekpieces need to perk him up.

Form: 5-9836P

Shaka The King^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 93| BF

11/8

Steadily progressive maiden hurdler. Encouragement to glean from last month's return/chase debut fourth at Hexham (20f) and highly likely he'll come on for that run. High on shortlist.

Form: 3/4652-4

Westdante^t²⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Brooke| OR: 88WS

14/1

No impact over hurdles but more like it when fourth over extended 20f on chasing bow at Carlisle in April, keeping on. May do better again over fences this term on back of wind op.

Form: 2/P5764-

Folks Like Us³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 88

8/1

Hurdles winner who produced a promising first start over fences when fourth at Perth (23.8f) in September, caught further back than ideal. Not so good over hurdles since but not one to write off.

Form: 16-P440

Knocknamona³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 85| C| D

25/1

Successful in this sphere at Bangor (20.3f) 13 months ago prior to a good second over hurdles. However, it's been largely downhill subsequently, pulled up at Hexham on his latest outing in December.

Form: 27P8-7P

Newberry New^p⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: H Bethell| OR: 85| C| D

10/1

Ended last season in good heart, winning at Catterick (19.2f) and signing off with good second at Leicester in March. Yet to figure in 3 starts this term but booking of Hughes catches the eye.

Form: 132-PP5

Well Cliche³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: M Todhunter| OR: 83

22/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler who didn't show a great deal in handful of starts in that sphere. Does having a point background though, so interesting if market vibes are positive now chasing.

Form: 3-65589

Sputnik¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 82

12/1

Modest hurdler who found 3m on heavy ground taxing his stamina when pulled up on chase bow at Wetherby (24.2f) on Boxing Day. This more suitable but others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 693P4P

Forecasts

Shaka The King (11/8), Rapid Raider (5/1), Folks Like Us (8/1), Newberry New (10/1), Sputnik (12/1), Chesterville (14/1), Westdante (14/1), Darius Des Sources (20/1), Well Cliche (22/1), Knocknamona (25/1), Just Don't Know (25/1), Bandit D'Ainay (40/1)

A progressive maiden over hurdles, SHAKA THE KING produced a promising first effort over fences when fourth over this sort of trip at Hexham last month, and with the prospect of more to come, he earns the vote to build on that now. That said Rapid Raider arrives in search of the 4-timer and looks a serious player again. Folks Like Us and Newberry New, under Brian Hughes, complete the shortlist.