15:25 Newcastle

Monday 3 March 2025

All13:5014:2514:5515:2516:0016:3017:00

Power Your Performance With Equine Products Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 5m 12.8s

Hawkseye View³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93| BF| D

7/2

Point winner who showed improved form on third start in handicap chases when runner-up over C&D in November. Let down by his jumping on both subsequent outings (unseated at Wetherby last month) and that tempers enthusiasm somewhat here.

Form: 5-7625U

Flash Du Pistolet¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 93

9/2

Ex-pointer who is winless under Rules but was well backed and shaped as if still in good form when third at this track (16.3f, good to soft) 18 days ago, finishing tired. More needed to get his head in front but there's been signs of a revival in yard form of late.

Form: 473533

Tanking Along²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Neville| OR: 91

18/1

Showed ability both starts over hurdles this season but was on the retreat when coming down on handicap/chase debut at Catterick (19.2f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago (remained down for some time). Should prove at least as competent in this sphere but probably best watched for now.

Form: 6P-34F

Top Of The Bay^t²⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 87

11/1

First piece of worthwhile form when third in handicap chase at Southwell last April, despite none too fluent. Disappointed back over hurdles at that venue the following month and offered nothing back chasing fitted in cheekpieces when last seen in June. Has since moved yards.

Form: 4P93-4P

Cave Hill^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 79| CD

11/4

Breakthrough winner at this venue in December and backed it up when fifth of 18 in handicap hurdle at Ayr next time. Wasn't disgraced in the end but went through the race in pretty laboured fashion at latter track recently and now attentions are switched to fences. Yard is amongst the winners.

Form: P-05153

Great Ballinboris^b,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 78

6/1

Ran one of his better races in first-time blinkers/tongue strap but typically didn't finish with purpose after 3 months off when third of 5 in handicap at Doncaster (20.5f, good) 12 days ago. Handicapper drops him another 1 lb but others more appealing.

Form: 7/34-P63

Toombridge^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 76

11/2

Still a maiden but got back on track after 9 weeks off in first-time cheekpieces when fourth of 15 in handicap at Carlisle (24.5f, soft) 4 weeks ago. Has struggled for consistency however, so the percentage call is to look elsewhere. Yard also saddles Cave Hill.

Form: 36-U784

Non-Runners

Fia Fuinidh¹⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: M Todhunter J: Sean Quinlan

Diamond Mix¹⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: Paul Robson J: Ryan Mania

Low Mileage¹⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: G Bewley J: Edward Austin

Ceolwulf¹⁸

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: Fionn McSharry J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

Cave Hill (11/4), Hawkseye View (7/2), Flash Du Pistolet (9/2), Low Mileage (9/2), Diamond Mix (5/1), Toombridge (11/2), Great Ballinboris (6/1), Ceolwulf (6/1), Top Of The Bay (11/1), Fia Fuinidh (14/1), Tanking Along (18/1)

DIAMOND MIX proved that all can't have been well on his chasing debut when finding just one way ahead of its mark too good at this track last month and, with further progress over fences on the cards, he gets the nod to go one better. Ceolwulf hasn't stood much racing of late but, provided there's no bounce factor from his recent Leicester second, he looks an obvious threat. Low Mileage and Cave Hill round off the shortlist.