12:40 Newcastle

Thursday 23 November 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Favourite From The Sun Every Day Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 6m 22.49s

Imperial Alex¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 97

2/1

Progressive over hurdles, winning handicap at Warwick in February, and left his seasonal/chase debut well behind when runner-up in handicap at the same course (25.4f) 16 days ago. Open to further improvement and he can open his account over fences.

Form: 8012-32

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Augharue²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95| BF

20/1

Shaped best on his second chase start when runner-up in handicap at Hexham (15.6f) in October, looking in control until 13-month absence told near finish. Possibly found race coming too soon 2 weeks later, so he could bounce back as he goes up in trip.

Form: 3P/53-2P

Don Brocco^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 91

14/1

Back-to-back winner of staying handicap hurdles in February/March 2022 but struggled last season. Fared better following a wind op when sixth of 14 at Cartmel in May, before looking rusty after 6 months off at Kelso 12 day ago. More needed as he goes chasing.

Form: 1/7P7-68

Pats Dream²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 89

5/1

Didn't offer much in 4 outings over hurdles last season. However, he had made the frame both starts in Irish points and shaped well sent chasing when third in Kelso handicap (23.4f) last month, jumping accurately. Should have more to offer over fences.

Form: 3/4699-3

Elleon^t²⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 88

7/2

Yet to win over fences but runner-up on six of his last 7 starts, bumping into one who had dropped in the weights when last seen at Carlisle (24.5f) in March. Can be thereabouts once more as he makes his return from 8 months off.

Form: 522222-

Coolmoyne^b1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J Kington| T: S Waugh| OR: 85

15/2

Still looking for first win but has proved consistent over fences, reeled in close home at Sedgefield (19.3f) on return. Not beaten far when fifth of 6 at Carlisle next time, before placed again back at Sedgefield 2 weeks ago. Up in trip with blinkers applied.

Form: 332-253

Benny Baloo²⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80

4/1

Little impact in trio of novice/maiden hurdles and failed to improve when fifth in handicap at Sedgefield (27f) when last seen in February. However, he did win a point and yard have had success with the family, so he could yet do better sent chasing.

Form: U1/0465-

Goodoldbill²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 74

33/1

Successful in Irish points but offered little over hurdles and, after 7 months off, pulled up on his chase debut at Kelso (17.1f) in October. Looks to be up against it as he goes significantly up in distance.

Form: 6/76P6-P

Non-Runners

Great Ballinboris³⁵⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: Micky Hammond J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Imperial Alex (2/1), Elleon (7/2), Benny Baloo (4/1), Pats Dream (5/1), Coolmoyne (15/2), Don Brocco (14/1), Augharue (20/1), Great Ballinboris (20/1), Goodoldbill (33/1)

IMPERIAL ALEX was much improved from his chase debut when runner-up at Warwick 16 days ago, pulling clear of the rest having met trouble on the run-in, and he can build on that to go one better. Pats Dream shaped encouragingly sent chasing last month and could be the main danger, while Elleon can give his running once again.