13:15 Newbury

Saturday 31 December 2022

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Coral First For Horse Racing Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 14.55s

Earth Company³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126| D

14/1

Low-mileage, progressive dual hurdles winner who was easy to back and ultimately finished well held on return/C&D chase debut 5 weeks ago. However, it remains early days and possible he'll come forward from that.

Form: 0/3119-6

File Illico³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

18/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign last season, making it four wins when landing a 3-runner event at Chepstow (2m) in April. All but came down and pulled up on return at Ffos Las (19.4f) in November but this mark demands a little bit more.

Form: 61311-P

Only Money³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 122| D

5/1

Gained fourth success over fences at Worcester (16.5f) in October and remained in form since, runner-up to a progressive, younger rival over C&D 5 weeks ago. Well in the mix from 1 lb lower.

Form: 13-1132

Not Available^b,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: M Sheppard| OR: 120| CD

18/1

Began life for his current yard in fine form, winning back-to-back handicaps last November/December (including over C&D). Low-key return in the autumn though, and he failed to build on his Chepstow third when pulled up at Ludlow 11 days ago. Blinkers back on.

Form: 43-543P

Mongol Emperor^h,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| D

15/2

Fairly useful hurdler who stepped up on his chase debut effort without threatening when 10.5 lengths fourth of 6 at Wetherby (15f) 38 days ago. Mark has slipped a little more if he can build further on that.

Form: 1/424-74

Courtland³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 119| D

16/1

Took really well to chasing with 2m wins at Ffos Las and Newton Abbot in summer 2021 but not in anything like same form since returning this winter, held when unseating last over C&D 5 weeks ago.

Form: 5/711-5U

Capitaine²¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: F Brennan| OR: 117| D

66/1

10-y-o who resumed winning ways in a Leicester hunter in March, making all. Struggled to make an impact either start thereafter for Ms Georgina Nicholls and he starts out for new stable here.

Form: 2D214-5

Gamaret³²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| D

5/2

Excellent start to career when landing a Ffos Las bumper last October and confirmed hurdles debut promise when taking a Fontwell maiden (17.7f) in February. Very nice prospect now sights are set on handicaps over fences. One to note.

Form: 121-

Casa Tall^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T R George| OR: 111| D

17/2

3-time winner over fences who lost his way towards the end of last season, but did step up on his reappearance run when fourth of 7 at Sandown (15.5f) 29 days ago. Mark has eased a little more if he can build on that.

Form: FB3-664

Gallic Geordie¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 108| CD

7/2

In fine form last winter, rattling off quick-fire hat-trick in this race 12 months ago. More good efforts than bad from his revised mark since, likely to have finished second when falling 2 out at Lingfield 10 days ago. Can go well.

Form: 1324-2F

Non-Runners

Kauto The King²³

Weight: 12-1| Age: 8

T: J Tizzard J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Gamaret (5/2), Gallic Geordie (7/2), Only Money (5/1), Mongol Emperor (15/2), Casa Tall (17/2), Earth Company (14/1), Courtland (16/1), Not Available (18/1), File Illico (18/1), Kauto The King (20/1), Capitaine (66/1)

ONLY MONEY turned in another solid effort when beaten only by a progressive rival over C&D in November and, operating from a 1 lb lower mark, he looks sure to be a big player again. Last year's winner Gallic Geordie and unexposed chase debutant Gamaret are others fancied to play lead roles.