13:38 Catterick

Wednesday 28 December 2022

All11:5312:2813:0313:3814:1314:4815:25

Sky Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 6m 50.84s

Choungaya^t⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 105

125/1

Successful over hurdles/fences for Joseph O'Brien in Ireland but he hasn't shown anything in 3 handicap chases since joining present yard so is probably best watched.

Form: 6805P-F

Westy Fox²³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103

12/1

Winning hurdler in Ireland for J. T. R. Dreaper but has no form in this sphere so it's easy to look elsewhere on yard debut/return.

Form: 6/908B-7

Ferocious^p1,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: Kate Leckenby| OR: 102

50/1

Ex-Irish chaser who started well in hunters for new stable last season but ended that campaign with a couple of no-shows and well held after 8 months off/breathing operation in Musselburgh handicap 37 days ago. Back up in trip with new headgear tried.

Form: 32240-6

Croagh Patrick^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 101

9/1

Largely consistent sort but was weak in the market and ran no sort of race before pulling up at Uttoxeter last time. Others more persuasive after that showing.

Form: 1-2542P

Pilot Show^p⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 101

11/2

Point winner who shaped up well in a couple of races over hurdles last term. However, efforts so far this season have lacked spark and hopes now pinned on the switch to fences sparking an upturn.

Form: 1/543-P6

Event Of Sivola^v⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 100

17/2

Capitalised on a falling mark as he scored in long distance handicap chase at Hexham 6 weeks ago, more positively ridden in a change of headgear and seeing the trip out well. 5 lb rise fair but significantly back down in trip today.

Form: 253-PU1

Fiston Du Mou^p,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 99

16/1

Successful twice from seven appearances in Britain, including a recent career-best display at Sedgefield early last month. Not in the same form back there 3 weeks later so will need to leave that effort behind to feature.

Form: 124U15

Bretney^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 99| D

18/5

Pretty reliable since switched to fences and deservedly notched second success in this sphere when accounting for 10 rivals at Hereford (25.2f, good to soft) early last month. Shaped as if in good form for a fair way at Newcastle since so no surprise should he feature.

Form: P22-413

Moore On Tour²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 89

12/1

Third on sole start in Irish points. Showed more than first time up over hurdles when third in 6-runner maiden at Huntingdon 13 months ago but little to shout about having been prominent in the market on chase/handicap debut earlier this month.

Form: 373-0P

Myburg⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 86| BF| C

7/2

Made a winning chase debut at Sedgefield (17f) in April and good efforts on his last 3 starts, keeping on well from 3 out at Southwell last month. 3m+ will suit and he can go well once again.

Form: 41-P332

Henry Brown^p⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: H Burns| OR: 84

18/1

Gained a belated first win over fences in 3m handicap chase at Hexham in September but not in the same form at Market Rasen later that month, going in snatches from halfway. Not the most reliable betting proposition.

Form: 723314

Atomic Angel⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Corbett| OR: 82| BF

13/2

Dual hurdles winner at up to 27f last season. Displayed aptitude for chasing in 2 runs in October and given a hand by the handicapper ahead of return to larger obstacles now.

Form: 3-35246

Forecasts

Myburg (7/2), Bretney (18/5), Pilot Show (11/2), Atomic Angel (13/2), Event Of Sivola (17/2), Croagh Patrick (9/1), Westy Fox (12/1), Moore On Tour (12/1), Fiston Du Mou (16/1), Henry Brown (18/1), Ferocious (50/1), Choungaya (125/1)

Plenty in with a squeak but the vote goes to BRETNEY, who has been pretty reliable since being switched to fences and Henry Daly's charge can notch his third success in the sphere. Myburg has been shaping up well in recent month so he may emerge as the main threat upped to 3m+ for the first time, with Atomic Angel and Event of Sivola another couple who could go well.