13:15 Newbury

Saturday 30 November 2019

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:40

Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 35.45s

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Selected odds by:

Jerrysback²⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145

8/1

Soft ground lover who remains 8lb higher than his last win, but has been keeping Grade 2 company and making the frame at that level. Interesting that connections now enter him in his first handicap, and he looks a very solid option from this mark.

Form:

Rocky's Treasure³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 145

10/1

Grade 2 winner as a novice chaser last season, but so far his record in handicaps does not offer encouragement that he will be winning from this mark.

Form:

Highway One O One¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 144

10/1

Dual winner over fences at around 2m, and placed in several Grade 2 races last season. Acts on soft, should get this trip, and claims from this mark of able to produce his best.

Form:

Larry^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 142

9/1

Improved as a novice last year and ran well here over slightly further when a close second in March, before winning at Sandown (2m4f, good) in April. Never involved on his reappearance, so has a bit to prove, but an each-way player from this mark.

Form:

Sametegal^t⁶⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

7/1

Won a Grade 3 here over 2m4f (soft) in 2016, but has raced only six times since, and not at all since February last year. Handicapper has given him a chance on this reappearance, his record when fresh is good, and no surprise if he goes well.

Form:

Utility¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 135| BF

66/1

Dual good ground chase winner at around 2m when with David Bridgwater. Changed hands since last seen in a Taunton selling hurdle recently and hard to fancy in this field on that evidence.

Form:

Divine Spear²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135WS

12/1

Useful over fences two seasons ago, but failed to rekindle that old flame in three runs in the back half of last season. Has had wind surgery and still has time on his side. Couldn't write him off from this mark if he can recapture old form.

Form:

Bennys King³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF

10/1

Former Venetia Williams inmate who scored over fences on his first two runs for this trainer. Acts on testing ground, and although he was a beaten favourite on his return, it would be churlish to write him off after that. Remains of interest.

Form:

Westend Story⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| D

9/2

Mudlark who is 0-2 over fences, but performed with credit in both of those. Remains open to improvement from this mark, and enters calculations.

Form:

Wilde Blue Yonder²⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 132| C

20/1

Without a win since his hurdles debut way back in 2013. Has looked useful over fences, but is 0-4 and this is a tough race in which to try to break your duck.

Form:

As You Like⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| BF

9/1

Has improved from winning his first chase from a mark of just 98 to today's official rating of 129. May still be more to come, despite being beaten from 2lb lower at Market Rasen last time, but all wins on good, so plenty to prove on soft ground.

Form:

Molineaux²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 128

6/1

1-8 over fences, though that win came when 1lb higher last season. Has to be respected on that basis, while he also stays 3m and acts on testing ground. Interesting for each-way players.

Form:

Joueur Bresilien^h1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 127

20/1

Won easily two starts back at Ffos Las (2m5f, soft), when 10lb lower, but failed to deliver from this mark at Aintree last time. Not written off after that, but bit to prove now. Hood goes on.

Form:

Tiquer³⁵⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: T Scudamore| T: A E Jones| OR: 127| CWS

33/1

Scored here over 2m4f (soft) in March 2018, but raced only twice since, and not seen for 11-months. Returns after wind surgery and a 3lb drop. Good record when fresh, so check market for any confidence.

Form:

Minella For Me^t²²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 126

50/1

Scored twice over fences last season (both 3m), but well held from just 1lb higher when last seen in April, and genuine soft ground doesn't look ideal.

Form:

Cap Du Nord¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 124

50/1

Completed a hat-trick in the space of a month earlier this year (all 2m5f, on good to soft/good). Possible he could be competitive from this mark, but in this strong line-up and on soft ground, it will go down as a surprise if he wins.

Form:

Non-Runners

Drumcliff⁴⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: H Fry J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Westend Story (9/2), Molineaux (6/1), Sametegal (7/1), Jerrysback (8/1), As You Like (9/1), Larry (9/1), Bennys King (10/1), Highway One O One (10/1), Rocky's Treasure (10/1), Divine Spear (12/1), Drumcliff (14/1), Wilde Blue Yonder (20/1), Joueur Bresilien (20/1), Tiquer (33/1), Cap Du Nord (50/1), Minella For Me (50/1), Utility (66/1)

A cracking handicap in prospect. Topweight Jerrysback has some very solid form to bring with him to this first handicap outing and he could go very well. Highway One O One has a squeak if bouncing back, while Molineaux, the returning Tiquer, Larry and Westend Story are all of interest. Bennys King is respected, and Divine Spear would be interesting if supported. However, a chance is taken on SAMETEGAL. He is nicely treated and there will have been no chances taken over his wellbeing after such a layoff, so he is taken to return with a win.