15:10 Newcastle

Thursday 15 January 2026

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Get Raceday Ready Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 20.59s

Tommy Combats⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: M Todhunter| OR: 99

9/4

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 at Ayr (2m4f) in November. Player.

Form: 41242-2

Too Cool Forshrule²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 97| BF| D

4/1

Resumed winning ways at Ayr in November and not disgraced both runs since, fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Musselburgh (23.6f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Enters calculations once more.

Form: 42U165

The Jad Factor^t,v1⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: P W Wadge| T: A M Thomson| OR: 96| CD

13/2

Goes about things in laboured fashion these days but took this 12 months ago and ended the season with a win at Kelso. Found plenty to lead close home at Wetherby on return and well in the mix in a change of headgear.

Form: 41PP1-1

Always A Reason^p1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 96| D

9/1

Improved to land a 20.5f Southwell handicap in December and backed it up with a good second of 8 at Carlisle (19.3f, soft) 32 days ago. Cheekpieces go on for his chase debut. nd his low-mileage profile suggests there may be more to come.

Form: 465-512

Gandhi Maker^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N Wilson| OR: 96| C

50/1

Out of sorts last spring for Rebecca Menzies and little promise shown at Carlisle on sole for David Thompson and for another new stable on his return. A course winner but he's hard to warm to back chasing.

Form: PUU0P-7

Stylish Recruit^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: A M Thomson| OR: 94| BF

10/1

Fair 2m winner over hurdles but he comes here well below par over fences, pulled up in 2m4f Musselburgh handicap in November. Others appeal more despite a tumbling mark.

Form: 40-3P5P

Empty Nest^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 94| CD

6/1

Gamely bagged a second chase victory over C&D in March. Below par since, however, including both starts this November at Ayr and Carlisle. Not easy to warm to.

Form: 2316-75

Emotional Roller^b1¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 87

11/2

Consistent sort who was in good form until a below-par fifth of 13 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, soft) 15 days ago. The sort to bounce back in a change of headgear though.

Form: 325-235

Goodoldbill^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 69| C

50/1

It's been all downhill since his narrow breakthrough success in a 23f handicap chase here in November 2023. Best to look elsewhere from 4 lb out of the handicap.

Form: PP88-P7

Non-Runners

King Horse²⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: Paul Robson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tommy Combats (9/4), Too Cool Forshrule (4/1), Emotional Roller (11/2), Empty Nest (6/1), The Jad Factor (13/2), Always A Reason (9/1), Stylish Recruit (10/1), King Horse (33/1), Gandhi Maker (50/1), Goodoldbill (50/1)

A few with chances but TOMMY COMBATS rates just the pick of the weights and is taken to gain a deserved victory after a run of good second placings. Tool Cool Forshrule can also go well from an easing mark, while fencing newcomer Always A Reason and last year's victor The Jad Factor seem sure to be on the premises too in this competitive handicap. Emotional Roller completes the shortlist.