14:25 Newbury

Saturday 31 December 2022

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

Coral Racing Club Mandarin Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 56.5s

Undersupervision^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 136| D

6/1

Opened his account over fences in Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster in March. Resumed with good third of 8 in handicap at Cheltenham (26f) 22 days ago so he's not taken lightly.

Form: 3641P-3

Grumpy Charley⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 135| C

15/2

Multiple hurdles winner who initially took well to chasing, landing 22.5f novice handicap here last Christmas. Struggled in handicaps at Cheltenham/Aintree Festivals after, however, and well held on return at Bangor. Well weighted though if getting back on song.

Form: 513P7-P

Moroder²⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 135| D

25/1

Much improved in the spring and completed his four-timer in 5-runner handicap chase at Exeter. 8 lb higher now but can't be ruled out on his return.

Form: 2/61111-

Fagan²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: A M Hales| OR: 134| C

50/1

Resumed winning ways here in early 2021 but lightly raced and largely below par since. Others appeal more.

Form: 317/2P-0

Laskalin³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133| D

7/2

Ex-French winner who returned after a wind op/10 months off with emphatic success in 7-runner handicap chase at Ludlow (25.6f, 6/4) 31 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Must enter calculations despite 5 lb rise.

Form: 3/6725-1

Tallow For Coal⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 133

13/2

Took his form up a notch on return when impressively bagging 7-runner handicap chase at Lingfield (23.5f, soft) 46 days ago by 7½ lengths from Pemberley. Up 5 lb but a big player back over this longer trip.

Form: 141P2-1

Almazhar Garde^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132

50/1

Winless last term and he has yet to hit top form in three runs this season. Others appeal more.

Form: 220-5F8

Kalooki^b²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| C

14/1

Resumed winning ways in a 3m Doncaster handicap last Christmas but has subsequently lost his way and now has lots to prove.

Form: 5P6P-P6

Champagne Court^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: J Scott| OR: 129| C

16/1

Made it 2-3 over hurdles this season in 3m handicap at Newbury last month. Only sixth reverted to chasing at Fontwell last time so needs to get back on track.

Form: 28-1416

Valsheda^t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128| BF

20/1

Progressive chaser last term who scored with plenty in hand at Ffos Las (23.8f). Below par when only fourth at Sandown (24.2f) on his return 29 days ago though on final run for Nicky Henderson. Tongue strap on 1st time for new yard.

Form: 21/F21-4

Killer Kane^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

13/2

Dual winner since fitted with a tongue strap, landing handicaps at Kempton and Sandown last term. Has posted two solid efforts this season at Exeter and here so can't be ruled out eased 1 lb.

Form: 6113-64

Shanty Alley^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: B I Case| OR: 125| D

11/1

Failed to complete all 3 starts last term but on back of a wind op he got back on track when second at Wetherby 28 days ago. Needs considering.

Form: 23/UPP-2

Foxboro^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 123

8/1

Finally got off the mark over fences in 2m4f handicap at Sandown in March and went in again in 9-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (21.6f) 25 days ago. Up 4 lb but he's one to consider with this step up in trip a plus.

Form: 3221-01

Non-Runners

Le Breuil²⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: B Pauling J: Luca Morgan

Certainly Red³⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: Mrs L Richards J: M Goldstein

Pemberley⁴⁶

Weight: 10-8| Age: 9

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Laskalin (7/2), Undersupervision (6/1), Killer Kane (13/2), Tallow For Coal (13/2), Grumpy Charley (15/2), Foxboro (8/1), Shanty Alley (11/1), Certainly Red (12/1), Kalooki (14/1), Le Breuil (14/1), Pemberley (14/1), Champagne Court (16/1), Valsheda (20/1), Moroder (25/1), Almazhar Garde (50/1), Fagan (50/1)

A case can be made for lots of these but the vote goes to TALLOW FOR COAL who returned with an impressive Lingfield success and can defy a 5 lb rise now his stamina is drawn out more. Laskalin is another who merits serious consideration on the back of a winning reappearance, while both Foxboro and Certainly Red need factoring in too.