14:25 Newbury

Saturday 30 December 2023

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

Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 7m 0.98s

Certainly Red²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 137

8/1

Likeable sort completed a hat-trick last season, scoring twice over 25f at Wincanton either side of a victory at Sandown. Didn't shape badly returned to Wincanton on his reappearance and not far off best when third at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Player back down in class.

Form: 1197-43

Bowtogreatness²⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 135

7/1

Dual novice hurdle winner (at around 2½m) and better form when placed over fences last term, including when runner-up in valuable handicap at Aintree final start. Just denied on reappearance last season so needs considering back down in class.

Form: 235P02-

Bangers And Cash^p1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 135

25/1

Progressed into a useful staying chaser last season, winning 3 of his last 4 starts. However, yet to fire this term though so needs to take a big step forward in first-time headgear.

Form: 1101-P8

Docpickedme^p,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 129| D

16/1

Multiple winner over hurdles/fences for Harry Whittington and ran a cracker back from 6 months off for new yard when just denied at Warwick (25.5f). Might have found next run coming too soon so worth another chance.

Form: 11PP-27

Laskalin²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 128| BF| D

12/1

Ex-French winner but well held last 4 starts, including both starts this season when prominent in the market.

Form: 328P-65

Surrey Quest^t⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: T Lawes| OR: 128WS

7/2

Dual hurdles winner and similar form over fences last season for Nicky Henderson. Improved when making a winning return at Huntingdon on yard debut in October, shaping as if this longer trip will suit. Respected.

Form: 7/3447-1

Notachance^p⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127| C

25/1

Not quite the force of old but largely acquitted himself well last term, culminating with third of 17 in Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March. Shaped as if better for the run after 8 months off at Exeter but wants further than this nowadays.

Form: 3/4373-0

Yes Indeed^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

12/1

Fairly useful winning chaser in France who went close here (22.4f) on second run following a wind op in March. Good placed efforts next 2 starts but let down by jumping at Bangor 2 weeks ago.

Form: 442-234

Atlanta Brave³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 121

11/4

Irish point winner who was 2-4 over hurdles last season and all the better for return/chase bow when second at Exeter (24.2f, soft) 34 days ago, albeit flattered by proximity to the eased-down winner. May do better still as a chaser.

Form: 2114-52

Shanty Alley^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 120| D

9/1

Losing run stretches back to January 2021 but he was runner-up in this last year off 5 lb higher and might have needed Catterick run after 7 months off. Not taken lightly.

Form: 27PP-25

Striking A Pose^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: J Tizzard| OR: 113

11/1

Not scored for some time and continues to fall in the weights without showing any sign of taking advantage.

Form: 335-2P3

Non-Runners

Fantastikas²⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Atlanta Brave (11/4), Surrey Quest (7/2), Fantastikas (6/1), Bowtogreatness (7/1), Certainly Red (8/1), Shanty Alley (9/1), Striking A Pose (11/1), Laskalin (12/1), Yes Indeed (12/1), Docpickedme (16/1), Bangers And Cash (25/1), Notachance (25/1)

Plenty to consider but CERTAINLY RED and Bowtogreatness both look on fair marks stepping back down in class, the former shading the vote with the advantage of a recent run. Shanty Alley was runner-up in this last year off 5 lb higher so is capable of going close with his reappearance under his belt.