16:15 Newbury

Friday 1 April 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Get A Run For Your Money At BetVictor Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 52.03s

Your Darling^p1⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| BF| C

9/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who made an impressive start over fences at Huntingdon in October. However, his weak-finishing tendencies have subsequently blighted him, not least at Cheltenham (20.6f) last time, and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

Form: 4-1153P

Duc De Beauchene^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 124

13/2

Sketchy jumping proved costly on first two starts of this season, but delivered a more assured round of jumping off this reduced mark when second last time at Hereford (2m) where he was considerately handled. Step back up in trip looks a good move and he's a key player.

Form: 541-652

Slipway⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

10/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who belied odds of 33/1 when opening chase account at Southwell (3m) in January. Claims judged on that form, but it was disconcerting to see him capitulate in the way that he did at Chepstow next time.

Form: 32B-P1P

Keep Wondering^t⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123| BF| D

17/2

Hasn't had much racing as a chaser and notched second success in this sphere at Haydock in December. Stamina seemingly stretched over 23.4f here the following month and possibilities eased slightly in trip off a 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 31U/514

Kauto The King^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 123

8/1

Enhanced fine strike rate over fences when making a successful reappearance at Wincanton in November. Now 4 lb below that winning mark, but with good reason (below par on each of his four subsequent starts) and yet to convince that he stays this far.

Form: 015634

Chic Name^p,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 123| C

25/1

Offered little back from a lengthy absence here (16.4f) last month and while this will be more of a suitable test stamina-wise, he now finds himself with plenty to prove.

Form: 0342P/4

Realm Keeper³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 122

33/1

Fairly useful ex-French chaser who hit the target twice on these shores within the space of 11 days last March. Hasn't shown much in two starts this time round, though, and needs to bounce back in a major way.

Form: 4110-5F

Canyon City^p¹³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 122

66/1

Five-time hurdles winner who made it second time lucky over fences at Worcester (23f) in September. However, well held both completed starts since (over hurdles at Uttoxeter last time) and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 6415U4

Sam Barton^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

4/1

Winning hurdler who stepped up on previous efforts over fences when runner-up at Leicester (22.7f) in Febuary. Shade disappointing that he failed to deliver a knockout blow upped to 24.3f at Southwell next time, but this drop back in trip will help.

Form: 4-44323

Joueur Bresilien³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 120

50/1

Now 1 lb lower than for his Stratford success over a similar trip last spring, but he's none too reliable and it's been a struggle so far this season.

Form: 8/10-9UP

Quick Draw⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117

10/3

Didn't shape badly when third in the Huntingdon handicap won by Your Darling on return/chase debut in October, and since won twice over hurdles. However, pulled up back in this sphere last time and needs to turn things around on debut for new yard.

Form: 3P112P

Non-Runners

Maypole Class²⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Animal⁵²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Miss S Smith J: Charlie Hammond

Forecasts

Quick Draw (10/3), Sam Barton (4/1), Your Darling (9/2), Duc De Beauchene (13/2), Kauto The King (8/1), Animal (8/1), Keep Wondering (17/2), Slipway (10/1), Chic Name (25/1), Maypole Class (25/1), Realm Keeper (33/1), Joueur Bresilien (50/1), Canyon City (66/1)

In a race littered with ifs and buts, DUC DE BEAUCHENE looks the way to go following an eye-catching effort at Hereford last month. He was given a considerate ride over what was an inadequate trip on that occasion, and it was encouraging that he jumped with greater fluency than has often been the case. Animal has taken well to fences and is next on the list ahead of Keep Wondering and Sam Barton.