14:35 Newbury

Tuesday 23 January 2024

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

Remembering Bob Olney Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 6m 6.29s

Abuffalosoldier^p1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120| CWS

10/1

Won a 3m handicap hurdle here last season but lost his way a little after finishing a good third at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Well held 2 of his 3 starts over fences in recent months and has work to do. Headgear on/hand wind operation.

Form: 06-7526

King's Threshold⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120| BF| D

7/2

Fairly-useful hurdler who found improvement when second of 11 in handicap at Kempton (20.5f, good to soft, 4/1) on chase debut 71 days ago. Step up in trip is a plus and he may have more to offer yet.

Form: 341-442

Trincomalee^p⁶⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 117

22/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who posted a good second in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f) when last seen 21 months ago. Back chasing for his comeback run and is likely best watched.

Form: 132152/

Off To A Flyer²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117

17/2

Successful at Ayr (24.3f) last spring but proved disappointing when well held at Kempton (20.5f) on debut over fences 28 days ago. Tries easier grade now and too soon to be writing him off in this sphere.

Form: 2P1-047

Not At Present⁵⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 117

33/1

Four-time winner over hurdles who matched best form in that sphere when second of 3 in novice at Bangor (20.3f, good) on debut over fences in July 2022. Not seen since but is worth monitoring closely in market on return.

Form: 21115/2-

Gaelic Park^p1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117

33/1

Point/bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles in 11-runner maiden at Warwick (21f) in March. However, made an inauspicious start over fences at Wincanton last month, losing touch when bad mistake halfway. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 225P1-5

Island Run⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 115| BF

10/1

Dual winner over hurdles who has taken well to the larger obstacles, latest when creditable fifth of 12 in handicap (11/4) at Plumpton (25.7f, good to soft) 78 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 615-225

Ballydesmond⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 115WS

33/1

Winner of a hunter chase in Ireland last year but finished well beaten (faced a stiff task) in novice at Exeter (24.2f) on yard debut 74 days ago. May do better now sent handicapping. Had wind operation.

Form: 4212-14

Earth King²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114

17/2

Went the right way over hurdles last season, readily winning an Exeter novice (18.5f) in February before good second at Taunton (19f) the following month. Fared better than previously in this sphere when third of 7 in handicap at Wincanton (20.2f, soft) last month but this looks more competitive.

Form: 512-P53

Gazette Bourgeoise^b1,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 114| D

8/1

Scored twice over hurdles and, though yet to strike in this sphere, she went close to doing so back from 8 months off at Ffos Las (21.5f) in December, idling run-in and collared late on. Blinkers replace cheekpieces now and she is one for the shortlist.

Form: 42355-2

Blairgowrie⁶⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 110| C

9/2

Off the mark over hurdles in 13-runner handicap at this course (24.2f, good) 22 months ago. Not seen since but is in fine hands and must be taken seriously on return/chase debut.

Form: 334321/

Invincible Nao^h⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110

9/2

French juvenile hurdle winner who displayed fair form without getting his head in front in that sphere for present yard. Left chase debut well behind when third in Lingfield handicap (20f, good to soft) latest and merits consideration.

Form: 033-463

Baddesley^v¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 105

40/1

Temperamental sort. Fair winner at 21f over hurdles. Produced a laboured effort when sixth of 10 in handicap chase at Plumpton (19.8f) earlier this month and makes limited appeal. Visor back on.

Form: 33-5136

Non-Runners

Dream In The Park⁵⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

King's Threshold (7/2), Blairgowrie (9/2), Invincible Nao (9/2), Gazette Bourgeoise (8/1), Earth King (17/2), Off To A Flyer (17/2), Abuffalosoldier (10/1), Island Run (10/1), Dream In The Park (12/1), Trincomalee (22/1), Ballydesmond (33/1), Not At Present (33/1), Gaelic Park (33/1), Baddesley (40/1)

GAZETTE BOURGEOISE has dropped to a handy mark and got back on track when a narrow second at Ffos Las 6 weeks ago. She can go one better here. King's Threshold and Invincible Nao head the list of dangers.