Newcastle Flooring Company Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 33.02s

Pay The Piper^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 129| C

8/1

Useful winning chaser who has been given a chance by the handicapper after a rather quiet campaign. Not the stoutest of finishers these days though, fading over hurdles in the mud here 3 weeks ago.

Form: 8-U3P63

Gardener^p1⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 128

13/2

Has taken well to chasing for new trainer Olly Murphy, winning last 2 starts when completing (2m handicaps at Southwell and Carlisle). Couldn't get to the front and produced an error-strewn round of jumping at Ayr 7 weeks ago. First-time headgear, and stamina to prove up in trip.

Form: 4-01U1P

Choosethenews³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: M Walford| OR: 118

5/4

Point winner who looked a useful prospect sent hurdling when making all at Ayr in December 2022. Shaped as if retaining ability in face of stiff task when behind Giovinco on return/chase debut over C&D and similar form when third at Carlisle. More to come.

Form: 113-23

Brayhill⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart| OR: 116| CD

12/1

Low-mileage 9-y-o who, following another wind op, made light of a 12-month absence to score over C&D on return. Disappointing twice since, though.

Form: 13P-144

High Moon^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| CD

11/4

Scored in this race last year and back in top form, beaten only by a most progressive one at Ayr in first-time cheekpieces 5 weeks ago. Big shout with a repeat.

Form: 21-P632

Cornerstone Lad^b¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110| C

10/1

Strike rate over fences not great and he was last of 3 at Carlisle a fortnight ago. This looks tough back up in trip.

Form: 236233

Forecasts

Choosethenews (5/4), High Moon (11/4), Gardener (13/2), Pay The Piper (8/1), Cornerstone Lad (10/1), Brayhill (12/1)

CHOOSETHENEWS has more to offer over fences and is narrowly preferred to last year's winner High Moon, who returned to form in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr 5 weeks ago.