Racecards
13:30 Newbury
Systems By Design Handicap Chase (For The Jim Joel Memorial Trophy) (Class C)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good
Korakor (FR)
28- Form 012-33F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D J Casey
led 1st, stayed prominent until weakened before 9th
Abalvino (FR)
240- Form 332210-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
led 2nd, blundered 9th, headed before 10th, soon weakened
Regal Exit (FR)
240- Form 12010P-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
behind, reminders after 6th, weakened 8th, soon beaten
- Form 5353-13
- Age 12
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, effort and every chance 4 out, weakened after next
- Form 4/P46-51
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
held up mid-division, mistake 8th, soon under pressure and one pace afterwards
- Form 35-1412
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
held up towards rear, headway after 9th, disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, stayed on well, just held flat
Ivanoph (FR)
185- Form 14022-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
close up, led before 4 out, headed just before 3 out and unseated rider
Leaburn (IRE)
609- Form 416562/
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, headway 9th, disputed lead 3 out, weakened before 2 out
- Form 2B11/63-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
jumped right in rear, always behind
- Form 0504-62
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey L P Aspell
close up, disputed lead 3 out, narrow leader 2 out, kept on well under pressure flat, all out finish
Cool Monty (IRE)
337- Form 202/P1P-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 9th, pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
A competitive handicap chase with several of the 11 runners holding claims including Regal Exit, Spring Grove and Ivanoph but the vote goes to Tango Royal, who is the selection to take advantage of a lenient mark. Martin Pipe's gelding has not run over fences for a year but won a couple of races over hurdles earlier in the season and made a highly satisfactory comeback over timber at Newton Abbot last week. That run should have put the French-bred gelding spot on for this and, off a favourable mark, he looks worth a bet. Korakor should be ready for this after a couple of pipe openers but may have had his confidence knocked by a fall at Wetherby last time and a bigger threat may come from the reappearing Regal Exit. Nicky Henderson has his string in good form at present and this son of Exit To Nowhere remains unexposed over fences. He will not mind any further rain and has to be respected. Venetia Williams normally has her runners fit after an absence so Trouble Ahead should not be dismissed lightly but, at the age of 12, probably does not have much improvement left in him. Spring Grove has more to do than when winning at Lingfield earlier in the month, while Ivanoph looks to be in the grip of the handicapper. Leaburn has been off for 609 days and does not appear to be well treated for his return so we side with Tango Royal to make a winning return to chasing.