15:25 Newcastle

Saturday 25 February 2023

All13:1013:4314:1814:5315:2516:0316:3817:15

Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 8m 55.13s

Eva's Oskar^v²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 142

20/1

Likeable chaser who has improved since the visor went on, scoring at Cheltenham and solid sixth in 3m Sandown handicap last time. Should continue to give a good account.

Form: 41-6216

The Galloping Bear^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 140

10/1

Very useful staying chaser who was running with credit in first-time cheekpieces when falling 4 out in Welsh National at Chepstow in December. Not taken lightly with headgear retained.

Form: 1/F1D-3F

Bavington Bob^b1⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 135| C

14/1

Four-time winner last season (including twice here) and he took a step back in the right direction when second of 4 in 23f Kelso handicap last month. Blinkers go on now and he can't be dismissed.

Form: 113-682

Kitty's Light^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 132

7/4

Very useful stayer who posted fine runner-up effort in Scottish National at Ayr last spring. Yet to hit top form this term kept to around 3m but has slipped to a very attractive mark and rates a big player now back over a marathon trip for last year's winning yard.

Form: 3-66873

Mighty Thunder^p,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 132| D

33/1

Won the 2021 Scottish Grand National but he doesn't look the force of old nowadays, only seventh in Edinburgh National at Musselburgh three weeks ago. Has plenty to prove at present.

Form: PP-0PF7

Shanty Alley^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: B I Case| OR: 128

25/1

Useful stayer who came in a close second at Newbury (26t) in December. On back foot after bad error 1st when seventh at Doncaster last time and no surprise to see him bounce back here.

Form: UPP-227

Sam's Adventure^v³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 125| CD

14/1

Smart chaser at his peak who took this contest in 2021. Capitalised on a much-reduced mark when gaining his first win since in 25f Cartmel handicap last month. Back up 5 lb now but he's still no forlorn hope.

Form: PP-5U31

One More Fleurie¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 124| BF

50/1

Four-time winner (at up to 3m) as a novice in 2021 but he has largely struggled since, beaten in a match at Catterick 12 days ago. He's very hard to make a case for.

Form: 0P-P952

Amateur^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 123

18/1

Landed West Wales National for second successive year at Ffos Las (28f) last spring. Not disgraced after 7-month absence when sixth in 3m1f Hereford handicap last month but this demands another big step forward.

Form: 5P1P-P6

In Rem^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 122

15/2

Big improver in handicap hurdles last season and further progress switched to fences, scoring at Exeter on New Year's Day. Hindered by blunder 4 out when good Chepstow third last time and he can make his presence felt off an unchanged mark.

Form: 5-44F13

Rath An Iuir^p1⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 118| C

14/1

Useful chaser at his best who capitalised on a much-reduced mark to land 3m2f Kelso handicap in December. More is required here though back up 4 lb in a deeper contest.

Form: 64P-851

Houston Texas²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 118

17/2

Completed a hat-trick over fences at Carlisle in October and not disgraced off a higher mark since, fourth of 7 over 23f here last time. Respected.

Form: 11-1654

No Cruise Yet^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 114

11/2

Really likeable staying chaser who dug deep to take 3m4f Haydock handicap in November. Good second in North Wales National at Bangor last time so he merits serious consideration despite being 2 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 311-212

Non-Runners

Bushypark⁴⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 9

T: P A Kirby J: Thomas Dowson

Young Bull⁵⁷

Weight: 10-9| Age: 9

T: H Whittington J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kitty's Light (7/4), No Cruise Yet (11/2), In Rem (15/2), Bushypark (8/1), Houston Texas (17/2), The Galloping Bear (10/1), Rath An Iuir (14/1), Bavington Bob (14/1), Sam's Adventure (14/1), Amateur (18/1), Eva's Oskar (20/1), Young Bull (20/1), Shanty Alley (25/1), Mighty Thunder (33/1), One More Fleurie (50/1)

Christian Williams took this prestigious event 12 months ago and can repeat the feat with KITTY'S LIGHT who came in a fine second in the Scottish National last spring and can race off an 11 lb lower mark here having not been at his best this term kept to around 3m. The likeable No Cruise Yet could take a step forward over this marathon trip and is feared most despite being 2 lb out of the handicap, with the in-form pair of In Rem and Bushypark completing the shortlist.