14:45 Newton Abbot

Monday 31 July 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 29.78s

Jony Max^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 115| CD

9/2

Won here early last season and has generally held his form well in defeat since, again just thwarted in a tight finish when second of 8 in handicap chase at Cartmel (25.5f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Now races from career-high mark but should give another good account.

Form: 444-2B2

Powerful Position²⁸³

33/1

Progressive in 2021/22, winning 4 times. Didn't really get the chance to show much last season, beaten by a handicap blot in a 3-runner handicap at Chepstow before turning a lacklustre effort at Cheltenham. Market looks best guide on return from 9-month break.

Form: 1112/2P-

Investment Manager^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 110| BF| C

15/2

Opened chase account at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) in April but has tended to struggle for consistency, again looking hard work when third of 5 in handicap chase at this C&D (good) 24 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 5P1-523

Hunting Percival^h1,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: S Hosie| OR: 107| BF

11/2

Seemed to relish the step up in trip when winning 7-runner handicap hurdle at Stratford (22f) earlier this month and made a far better fist of his second attempt chasing when runner-up at that same course (22.6f, good) 15 days ago. Surely has more to come over fences.

Form: 2-P2P12

Easkey Lad^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 107

8/1

Improved to win a pair of 3m Ffos Las handicaps in May and June before facing a very stiff task from well out of the weights in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter last time. This is more realistic and he's respected.

Form: 3PF-110

Manintheshadows^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 106| D

9/2

Failed to complete on his first 2 starts over fences but proved his aptitude when second of 12 in handicap chase at Worcester (23f, good) 26 days ago. Not ruled out.

Form: U1/1F-P2

Call Of The Loon²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 93

13/2

Struck on debut for new yard at Stratford last August and has continued to run well in 3 starts since, despite looking in need of a stiffer test when third of 8 in handicap chase (12/1) at Perth (23.8f, good) 25 days ago, Respected.

Form: 57/12-23

O'Faolains Lad^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 89| CD

7/2

Out of the handicap but got back on track after a wind-op when second of 5 in handicap chase at this C&D (good) 24 days ago, albeit doing so in rather laboured fashion. This is a stronger race than he need contest again but can't be discounted after that effort.

Form: 1/UPP-32

Forecasts

O'Faolains Lad (7/2), Jony Max (9/2), Manintheshadows (9/2), Hunting Percival (11/2), Call Of The Loon (13/2), Investment Manager (15/2), Easkey Lad (8/1), Powerful Position (33/1)

HUNTING PERCIVAL was a winner over hurdles at Stratford on his penultimate outing and proved himself just as good over fences when second there on his latest outing. He's fancied to go one better on just his third chase start, with Easkey Lad, who was in fine heart before being meeting much tougher opposition last time, and the consistent Jony Max also much respected.