December 02 / 13.20 Newcastle

13.20

Soft

BetMGM Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 3m 5f 190y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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BetMGM Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: PP-81P

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Ended his time with David Pipe on a low note in summer 2022; three runs at Auteuil in France this autumn, winning one (2m6f, heavy) and soundly beaten in the others; has tried 3m4f-4m four times, pulling up in three and 11l second of five in the other; others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:15 Musselburgh

Via Dolorosa

10st 11lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

midfield on outer

40/1

0

2

19th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Fakenham

Via Dolorosa

12st 0lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

in touch with leaders

12/1

6th

4

8th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Via Dolorosa

11st 11lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Won in France in October on second start back from an absence and he's on a competitive mark on British form as recent as last May; however, this 11yo was pulled up in France last month and others are more compelling.

50/1

Form: P12-P3

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Has twice shown he stays 3m6f, including when second in the Highland National at Perth (soft) in April off 4lb lower than today; back near that form at Carlisle on latest outing, so has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Silver In Disguise

11st 9lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Got up close home for C&D (good) win under Edward Vaughan in April and, if anything, ought to be better suited by today's forecast slower ground; contender if recent reappearance run has done him good.

16/1

7

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Silver In Disguise

11st 9lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Got up close home for C&D (good) win under Edward Vaughan in April and, if anything, ought to be better suited by today's forecast slower ground; contender if recent reappearance run has done him good.

16/1

5th

2

6th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:15 Kelso

Silver In Disguise

11st 11lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

in touch with leaders, prominent 11th

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2234-4 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Staying-on second at Market Rasen (extended 3m3f, good to soft) last Boxing Day off 2lb lower; not so good on last three starts and that includes attempts at 3m6f and 3m5f; might have come on since the latter six weeks ago, so needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Geryville

11st 8lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Micky Hammond

7-52; enjoyed the run of the race, making all, at Wetherby (2m4f, soft; 18-1; from 6lb lower) on penultimate start; ran to a similar level (third) behind the newly blinkered Rath Gaul Hill back there subsequently; no issue with Newcastle; player with Alice Stevens claiming 3lb.

5/2

3rd

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Geryville

12st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

His last two wins have come over C&D (soft), the latest in January when last seen; also effective on good ground; this 10yo is inconsistent and has never won off a mark this high, but he comfortably made all last time and could well make another bold bid if he's on another going day.

11/4

Form: 234P-2

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won at Haydock (3m4f, soft) last November and made most, collared only approaching the final fence, when third of 13 in the 4m1f Eider at this track (good to soft) in February; started this season in the same vein when beaten a head at Sedgefield (3m5f, soft) six weeks ago, so should figure prominently despite his return to career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:15 Musselburgh

No Cruise Yet

10st 4lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

took keen hold, in touch with leaders on inner

16/1

4th

2

11th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 214y

Class 3

14:30 Catterick

No Cruise Yet

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Prominent-racer who went very close in the Durham National at Sedgefield (3m5f, soft) on reappearance and again ran well when third at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last month; stamina is a strong suit and he's respected.

4/1

3rd

2

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

12:30 Newcastle

No Cruise Yet

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Stays further but that may be no bad thing in the conditions and he reappeared with a near-miss in the Durham National (3m5f, soft) in October; ran well in the Eider here in February and he's firmly in calculations.

2/1

Form: 22P-10

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in the 3m6f Highland National in April but stays 3m5f on soft and needed all of the 3m2f to reel in the leader at Kelso (good to soft) in October; the fences proved a problem in amateurs' race at Cheltenham on latest start but no shock if he bounces back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:45 Kelso

Destiny Is All

12st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action.

8/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:45 Kelso

Destiny Is All

12st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action.

8/1

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Destiny Is All

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Has a good record fresh, winning first time after a summer break for last two seasons; won over 3m off this at Ayr in October but not quite at his best since; close fourth of five to Breeze Of Wind in this race 12 months ago.

7/2

Form: 622P-7

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
11yo who has not won for nearly two years but was twice beaten by just a head on heavy ground last season, including over 4m at Hexham (only his second run beyond 3m2f); soundly beaten on reappearance four weeks ago but much the same happened last term before he was pipped by Rath An Iuir at Kelso next time; big shout if this is another of his good days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

11th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 214y

Class 3

14:30 Catterick

Glittering Love

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Kept on for fair fourth behind Court At Slip at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last month and could build on that run now back up in trip, having gone close over 4m at Hexham last March; capable of having a say.

10/1

4th

4

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

12:30 Newcastle

Glittering Love

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

11yo who was well beaten on his comeback at Carlisle last month but he left last season's reappearance behind to go very close at Kelso (3m2f, heavy) next time, and he's on a competitive mark; blinkers are replaced by cheekpieces (ran well in them earlier in career); not discounted.

10/1

Form: 24P3-2

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper and novice hurdle winner who is 0-6 over fences under rules but went agonisingly close from the front over 3m2f at Doncaster (good to soft) in January and Carlisle (soft) in October; he has not attempted it before but it looks very much as if he will stay further than that; if so, he may well pull out extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:19 Plumpton

Lyrical Genius

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in

9/2

2nd

4

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:19 Plumpton

Lyrical Genius

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in

9/2

Form: 1538-8 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Winning under a 7lb claimer at Kelso (3m2f, heavy) last December was very much the pick of his six runs last season; has a 2lb lower mark today, following a heavy defeat back at 3m on reappearance; while that trip may be on the sharp side for him nowadays, his five attempts at 3m4f-4m1f do not strengthen his case.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:08 Newcastle

Rath An Iuir

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

The new visor (kept since, replacing cheekpieces) worked a treat when he won at Kelso (3m2f, heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; he hasn't sparked that often in the last two years, though, showing little on latest outing; beaten just over 20l when sixth and fifth in the last two Eiders, so others look more solid.

14/1

5th

4

24th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Rath An Iuir

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Rose Dobbin

The new visor worked a treat when winning a 3m2f handicap at Kelso (heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; 4lb rise won't prevent another bold show if he's as good again (not guaranteed).

11/4

Verdict

Most could have a shout. No Cruise Yet (second choice) looks clearly the most solid option to run well but could still be vulnerable, most of all perhaps to GLITTERING LOVE. He has appeared only twice over marathon trips but there is no doubt he stays following his plucky second over 4m at Hexham in March. A chance is taken that he will return to that form, which may well be enough. Lyrical Genius has been best from the front in a rather hit-and-miss chase career and is 0-6 in this sphere but his best efforts, including last time out, give this step up in trip plenty of appeal.[Richard Austen]