14:20 Newbury

Saturday 28 December 2024

All12:0512:3713:1213:4514:2014:5515:35

Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 50.4s

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Selected odds by:

Surrey Quest^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 139| CD

6/1

Dual hurdles winner for Nicky Henderson and improved when bagging chase victories at Huntingdon and Newbury either side of last Christmas. Failed by the narrowest of margins in the Scottish National at Ayr final start and he stuck to his task when occupying same spot on last month's return.

Form: 7/1102-2

Henry's Friend^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 138| C

7/2

Recorded a hat-trick in novice chases last season, including a Grade 2 at Ascot. Pulled up in National Hunt Chase on final outing but with a reappearance spin under his belt, he returned to form in re-fitted cheekpieces when fifth over C&D a month ago.

Form: 111P-45

Brave Kingdom^t³¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

11/1

Looked good when winning first 2 chases last winter. Something presumably not right when well beaten in Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot in February (won by Henry's Friend) and very much the type to resume his progression this season given the yard he represents

Form: 131/11P-

Inch House^p1,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| C

17/2

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles who progressed well for switch to chasing, landing back-to-back handicaps here prior to a solid second at Cheltenham (25.2f). Disappointed subsequently, including on debut for Paul Nicholls and cheekpieces now added. Better expected.

Form: 1124F-P

Hymac^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 130| BF

8/1

Proved well suited by a step up to 3½m when opening his chase account (28f) in April. Coped well with drop back in trip when making a winning return back hurdling at Newton Abbot and shaped well back over the larger obstacles when third at Cheltenham a month ago.

Form: P321-13

Hold That Taught³⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130| D

18/1

Often held back by his jumping/attitude but did little wrong when taking advantage of drop in the weights at Ascot on his return a year ago and backed that up when overcoming a couple of errors at Bangor. Never really going in the Surrey National in January and off since.

Form: 596/11P-

Hoe Joly Smoke^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

5/2

Successful sole outing between the flags and matched hurdles form at first time of asking in this sphere when second of 6 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (20f, good to soft). Built on that promise when a smooth winner over 3m at Sandown and limit not yet reached.

Form: 3P/32-21

Hudson De Grugy^v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

12/1

Gained breakthrough success over fences in Grade 3 Sandown novices' handicap back in April 2023. Very well treated on that form and he cashed in at Fontwell 18 days ago, (19.5f). Significantly back up in trip and this is a deeper race.

Form: 3F37-P1

Poppa Poutine²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120

18/1

Given a chance by the assessor and returned to form when gamely landing 6-runner handicap chase at Wincanton (25.1f, heavy) 23 days ago. Just 3 lb higher here and warrants respect in this better race.

Form: 2476/61

Non-Runners

Cruz Control²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: T Lacey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hoe Joly Smoke (5/2), Henry's Friend (7/2), Surrey Quest (6/1), Hymac (8/1), Inch House (17/2), Brave Kingdom (11/1), Hudson De Grugy (12/1), Cruz Control (16/1), Poppa Poutine (18/1), Hold That Taught (18/1)

HENRY'S FRIEND looked a staying chaser going places last term and having returned to form over this C&D a month ago, he's fancied to build on that. Brave Kingdom finished behind the selection at Ascot last winter but he remains capable of better, with Hoe Joly Smoke another to take seriously.