14:32 Newcastle

Saturday 3 January 2026

All11:5012:2212:5213:2213:5714:3215:10

Border Minstrel Pub Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 4f 19y  |   8 Runners  |   Turf
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Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Moon Phases46
Age: 7|  Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Power(5)| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR:  110| BF
Underwhelming display only start in bumpers but offered more both starts over hurdles at Ayr, making the frame on both occasions. Further improvement when just denied at Kelso on chase bow 6 weeks ago and should have more to offer in this sphere. Up in trip.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Flash Du Pistolet271
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: W Coltherd| OR:  108| BF| CD
Ex-pointer who took a step forward to open his account over C&D in March and followed up with a career best at Kelso later that month. Hat-trick never looked on the cards there final start but type to bounce back. Off 9 months.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Fat Harry31
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-11| J: G Sheehan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR:  107| BF| CD
Has taken really well to chasing this season, winning at Sedgefield/Newcastle. Would have completed hat-trick at Haydock but for crumpling on landing 2 out and can make amends.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Fete Champetret35
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR:  107| D
Low-mileage 11-y-o who's often held back by jumping. Shaped as if needing the run here on return but others preferred.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Tracb23
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR:  106| CD
Clearly perked up by first-time blinkers when winning over C&D last month, running his best race for some time to capitalise on a reduced mark. Whether this headgear will work quite as well this time is up for debate.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Tommy Combats63
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: M Todhunter| OR:  99
Made steady progress without success over hurdles and further improvement sent chasing last term, winning at Hexham over a year ago. Good runner-up efforts on 3 of his 4 starts since, including on return. Player.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
The Jad Factort,v128
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge| T: A M Thomson| OR:  96| CD
Goes about things in laboured fashion these days but was a C&D winner last winter and ended the season with a win at Kelso. Found plenty to lead close home at Wetherby on return but hat-trick may prove beyond him after a 5 lb rise for that success. Change of headgear.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
Empty Nestt43
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR:  94| CD
Gamely bagged a second chase victory over C&D in March. Below par since, however, including both starts this term.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Fat Harry (10/3), Moon Phases (7/2), Tommy Combats (9/2), Trac (5/1), The Jad Factor (11/2), Flash Du Pistolet (8/1), Empty Nest (16/1), Fete Champetre (20/1)

Verdict

The thriving FAT HARRY would have completed the hat-trick had he not crumpled on landing at Haydock and is fancied to make amends. The likeable Tommy Combats is feared most ahead of Moon Phases, who made a promising debut in this sphere at Kelso.

Prize Money

1st: £5,281.002nd: £2,430.003rd: £1,215.004th: £608.005th: £303.00

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