Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 5m 36.7s

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Selected odds by:

Orioninverness^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102| CD

13/2

Underwhelming since finishing a keeping on second to Bocasien Desbois at Hexham (2m4f, soft) in October; 3lb lower than in that contest and does boast heavy ground C&D winning form (from 2018).

Form: 4P-4264

Pinch Of Ginger⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102| D

7/2

Ultra-consistent this season; was awarded the race by the stewards when a staying on second (beaten a nose) to Paddling at Catterick (2m3f, soft) last week; should remain competitive.

Form: 4/2P-221

What's The Scoop⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 98| BF

11/4

12-race maiden (0-5 over fences); has taken his time to return to form following a break from racing, but has shown improved form lately; one-paced when beaten 6L (fourth) by Ouro Branco at Catterick (1m7½f, soft) last week.

Form: 3/0-P444

Graystown^v⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 92| D

7/2

Not the most fluent of fencers, and was weak in the finish when 13½L fifth to Mah Mate Bob at Sedgefield (2m3½f, soft) on Boxing Day; his easing mark serves to boost his chance (granted a clear round of fencing).

Form: 2-63FP5

Pads²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Bourke| OR: 85

5/1

Broke the maiden tag at the 35th attempt (third start over fences) with a determined effort in the Tant Pis at Hexham (1m7½f, heavy); 7lb higher; his previous Sedgefield form line (with Skyhill) has been franked by the winner since.

Form: 324331

Sory^p⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 71

12/1

Veteran and a 24-race maiden; twice placed at Hexham (2m4f) earlier in the year; has shown precious little (including over hurdles) since returning to the track in mid-December; hard to fancy.

Form: 3432-87

Early Boy^e/s⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: A Crook| OR: 62

100/1

22-race maiden who faces a stiff task from outside of the handicap proper; form figures of 6P0PP during 2019 tell their own sorry tale without the need for further investigation; best to look elsewhere.

Form: P6P-0PP

Forecasts

What's The Scoop (11/4), Pinch Of Ginger (7/2), Graystown (7/2), Pads (5/1), Orioninverness (13/2), Sory (12/1), Early Boy (100/1)

With the exception of the consistent Pinch Of Ginger (awarded a race at Catterick last week) it's difficult to place a strong positive slant on any of the remainder. Orioninverness could feasibly appreciate the return to Newcastle, while the easing-in-the-weights Graystown could have a say granted a clear round of fencing (couldn't be guaranteed). However, with some trepidation we'll chance the 2m Hexham winner PADS. A longstanding maiden prior to that race (mainly over hurdles) he showed a determined attitude in testing conditions. Furthermore, his previous Sedgefield third to Skyhill was well advertised by that horse at Ayr on Thursday.