15:25 Newcastle

Saturday 26 November 2022

All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:25

Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 6m 0.24s

L'Homme Presse²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 164

6/4

Low-mileage 7-y-o who quickly made up into a top novice last term, the highlight of which his victory in a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival (24.4f, soft) where he produced a brilliant round of jumping. Probably best to forgive subsequent Aintree reverse and he remains a chaser of real potential.

Form: 111113-

Aye Right³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 157| CD

7/1

Very smart chaser who finally gained a deserved big handicap in this event last year. Every bit as good as ever when second at Kelso on reappearance and another bold showing is on the cards from this likeable type.

Form: 0/5139-2

Happygolucky⁵⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 151

6/1

Useful hurdler and fine start over fences during 2020/21, smashing second in the Ultima here prior to posting career best to land Grade 3 handicap (25f) at Aintree final start. Missed last term but remains with the scope for better.

Form: 412121/

Dingo Dollar^p,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 150| CD

13/2

Has done well for this stable and returned as good as ever when landing a veterans' event at Aintree last month. Will find this a whole lot tougher from a 5-lb higher mark, though.

Form: 2/435U-1

Windsor Avenue³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: B Ellison| OR: 144

25/1

Won the Sky Bet chase at Doncaster last season but he's far more miss than hit and he has a tame reappearance to put behind him.

Form: 2P1PP-P

The Big Bite²⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 142

16/1

Useful sort on his day and returns from 8 months off with his stable amongst the winners. Yet to prove his stamina for this far, however.

Form: 36/UP24-

Whoshotthesheriff⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 140

28/1

Won a couple of times last season and would have gone close to making a winning return at Wetherby had his jumping not let him down. Will find this much more competitive.

Form: 84P15-2

Dallas Des Pictons^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 139

40/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who ended a long losing run in 3m Cork handicap hurdle on final start for Gordon Elliott in August. Good second back chasing for his new yard at Carlisle but tame effort over hurdles at Ayr since.

Form: 4-21627

Into Overdrive^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 138

7/2

Much improved when cheekpieces were applied in the spring, completing a hat-trick at up to 3m. Further improvement with Wetherby reappearnce successs and looks a player getting tons of weight from L'Homme Presse.

Form: 64111-1

Forecasts

L'Homme Presse (6/4), Into Overdrive (7/2), Happygolucky (6/1), Dingo Dollar (13/2), Aye Right (7/1), The Big Bite (16/1), Windsor Avenue (25/1), Whoshotthesheriff (28/1), Dallas Des Pictons (40/1)

L'HOMME PRESSE enjoyed a terrific novice chasing campaign and looks a genuine Gold Cup contender this time round, and he could make a statement by returning with a big weight-carrying performance in what looks an excellent renewal of this top handicap. Into Overdrive is highly progressive and gets 26 lb from the selection, so he's a big danger, and the likeable Aye Right is worthy of respect as he bids for back-to-back wins in this event.