15:25 Newbury

Wednesday 18 January 2023

All13:1513:4514:1514:5015:2516:00

DJB Cleaning Ltd Handicap Chase (For The Harwell Trophy)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 7f 86y | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

Confirmed promise of his reappearance when opening account over fences at Carlisle (24.5f) and not disgraced over a marathon trip at Haydock since. Respected.

Form: 2F4-614

Le Cameleon^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 129

Successful twice in the second half of last season and made a winning reappearance at Warwick (2½m, good) in October. Faller at Fontwell next time, though, and well held at Chepstow since. Up in trip.

Form: 414-1F7

French Paradoxe^h²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| OR: 129| BF| C

Off the mark over fences when making all at Doncaster in March and followed up in taking style at Wetherby on return. Looked set to complete the hat-trick when coming down at the last at Ffos Las 4 weeks ago and can make amends.

Form: 7/5F1-1F

Five Star Getaway²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 127

Not disgraced first 2 starts this term but needs to bounce back after a poor run at Kempton over Christmas, a race which he won last year.

Form: 380-450

Domaine De L'Isle^t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: S Curran| OR: 127| D

Winless last season and little impact so far this term.

Form: 0UP-690

Champagne Court^p,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 126| C

Capitalised on the drop in grade at Perth and made it 2-3 this season in 3m handicap hurdle here. However, well held back over fences both starts since.

Form: 8-1416P

Potters Legend⁶¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

Not the force of old but ran better than for a while from a slipping mark at Catterick last time, beaten only by one who's on a roll. 3 lb rise for that looks rather harsh, though.

Form: 422-542

Gats And Co^t⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 122

Really got his act together earlier this year, landing 4-timer. Progress has stalled since, though, and others certainly arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 11-1P37

Keep Wondering^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

Doubled chase tally at Haydock (21.6f) last winter but yet to fire in 3 starts this term.

Form: 142-3P4

Fairlawn Flyer^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 119

Proved a different proposition switched to fences last winter, winning a trio of 3m Ffos Las handicap chases. All the better for return when resuming progress/winning ways at Ffos Las last month, albeit held by French Paradoxe when that one fell at last. 6 lb better off with that rival here.

Form: 4111-P1

Eceparti⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 106

Dual chase winner in 2019 but expensive to follow since and seen only 3 times in last 2 years.

Form: 344/3F-3

Forecasts

French Paradoxe (10/3), Fairlawn Flyer (9/2), Five Star Getaway (6/1), Morning Spirit (7/1), Potters Legend (8/1), Eceparti (10/1), Keep Wondering (10/1), Champagne Court (12/1), Le Cameleon (14/1), Gats And Co (14/1), Domaine De L'Isle (20/1)

The progressive FRENCH PARADOXE looked set to complete the hat-trick by about 8 lengths when coming down at the last at Ffos Las last month and is fancied to make amends. Fairlawn Flyer was the fortunate winner that day but he's 6 lb better off with the selection here so is still feared most, with Morning Spirit best of the others.