17:00 Newton Abbot

Thursday 22 August 2024

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2517:0017:30

newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 5m 3.80s

Opening Bid³²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 122| CD

14/1

Won 5 times over fences last term (including C&D). Back to form when twice reaching the frame at Uttoxeter in the June but he pulled up at Stratford last month.

Form: P4-724P

Northern Bound^p⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 122

20/1

Winless since 2022 but he was placed at Chepstow and Aintree this spring. Much better than his latest last of 12 at Market Rasen last month, in fourth when taking a stumble 2 out from which he was unable to recover.

Form: 4342-30

Glynn^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 121

15/2

Evidently not easy to train but he was a fairly useful hurdler for Nicky Henderson. Best effort over fences for this yard came when third over 3¼m here last month. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 7/3U-3F3

Planned Paradise³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 115

10/3

Jumping has let him down but he's cut out the efforts lately, winning at Perth (under Jack Tudor) and third at Cartmel (not seen to best effect under 7 lb conditional) last month. Likely to be very competitive with Tudor back in the plate.

Form: 75-2613

Soir De Gala^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 112

11/8

Progressive over hurdles and took another step forward when making a successful start to his chase career at Stratford (19.5f) last month. Raised 9 lb but there could be plenty more to come.

Form: 213-131

Cheltenam De Vaige³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

18/1

Respectable fifth over fences on his Stratford reappearance in July but down the field over hurdles at Newton Abbot since.

Form: 24-4559

Kauto The King^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 109| CD

10/1

Four-time course winner and another good run here when second over 2m in July. Led for long way when fifth at Worcester since and respected back at this venue.

Form: 5F-2425

Begin The Luck²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Reed| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 105| CD

13/2

A dual chase winner at the start of last season. Back on song when runner-up twice in June (C&D latterly) but his run of good form came to a halt when down the field at Uttoxeter last month.

Form: P4-5229

Forecasts

Soir De Gala (11/8), Planned Paradise (10/3), Begin The Luck (13/2), Glynn (15/2), Kauto The King (10/1), Opening Bid (14/1), Cheltenam De Vaige (18/1), Northern Bound (20/1)

SOIR DE GALA could have plenty more to come on the back of his Stratford chase debut success and can prove too strong for much older and more exposed opposition. Planned Paradise ended up with too much to do at Cartmel last time and that defeat probably shouldn't be taken to suggest the handicapper has got him so he's second choice ahead of course specialist Kauto The King.