Racecards
13:00 Newbury
Racing UK & Christmas Gift Line Novices' Handicap Chase (Class C )
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good
- Form 11-3212
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey W T Kennedy
held up in rear, smooth headway 12th, one pace from 3 out, no impression approaching last
- Form 0-12232
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, went second approaching 9th, not fluent 13th, chased winner 2 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 3-11221
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey C Llewellyn
made all, mistake 13th, ridden approaching last, eased near finish
- Form 023F-51
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in rear, mistake 10th, behind from 13th, no chance when blundered and unseated rider
- Form 105-232
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer B De Haan
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up, headway after 7th, chased winner 11th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
Home James (IRE)
199- Form 211/6-36
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up in touch, reminders after 5th, headway approaching 14th, one pace from 2 out
- Form P-51313
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 113
held up in touch, behind from 11th, blundered 13th
- Form 2016-63
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Mrs Susan Nock
- Jockey S Stronge
prominent, mistake 9th, disputing 2nd when mistake 11th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up
- Form 010F-34
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 112
held up, not fluent 8th, behind from 11th, mistake 14th
- Form 465/2-12
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
prominent, not fluent 7th, soon lost place and pulled up
In depth
Verdict
A very competitive handicap chase and we will take a chance on Make Haste Slowly, with Lord Of Illusion and Jones's Road just two of many dangers. Henry Daly's seven-year-old was successful over a shorter trip at Hereford in October before chasing home two decent novices at Huntingdon. The way he stayed on over the two and a half mile trip suggests he will be more at home over this distance and he looks the one to beat. Jones's Road has shown marked improvement since joining Jonjo O'Neill and was most impressive when landing a decent handicap at Windsor last month. He still looks very well treated and is an obvious danger to all. Lord Of Illusion is the only one of these to have won over this trip, beating some decent novices at Ludlow. He does look slightly high in the weights, but if the principals have trouble staying the trip he could be the one to benefit. Lou du Moulins Mas and Home James are two others worthy of a mention, but we believe the trip will suit Make Haste Slowly and he gets our vote.