Newton Abbot

Today, April 19, 2025ChaseClass 32m4fHeavy

Verdict

Despite failing to make an impact in his three starts so far this season, HELTENHAM is nevertheless appealing here off a reduced mark and in a lower-grade handicap than he is typically accustomed to. Happy And Fine also arrives here pretty fresh and is feared most ahead of Bucksy des Epeires and Royal Jewel.

Heltenham
Happy And Fine
Bucksy Des Epeires

2m5f Hcap Chs

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

10. Royal Jewel
J: Harry CobdenT: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
F: 22-253312
Price History:
3.50
Age:
6
Weight:
11-1
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
121
Days Since Last Run:
56
Verdict
Surpassed anything that he's previously achieved when opening chase account at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in January. Again showcased a likeable attitude when second upped to 19.4f at the same course next time, despite a stuttering round of jumping, and he's shortlisted here with Harry Cobden booked.
2. Scarface
J: Freddie GingellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 3-5422402
Price History:
6.00
Age:
8
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
130
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Jumping let him down in the 2½m Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury on penultimate start but he's broadly consistent and quickly returned to form when runner-up over the same C&D 3 weeks later. Likely to give another good account, albeit without perhaps being quite good enough to defy this mark.
5. Bucksy Des Epeires
J: Charlie DeutschT: Venetia Williams
F: 24F92-125
Price History:
6.00
Age:
6
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
126
Days Since Last Run:
65
Verdict
Improved immediately on hurdles form when making a winning reappearance over fences at Ascot (18.8f, good) in November. Followed that with a good second behind an improver and possibly found 2m too sharp at Leicester last time, so he's one to consider now moving back up in trip.
1. Heltenham
J: Tristan DurrellT: Dan Skelton
F: 2118F-84P
Price History:
9.00
Age:
8
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
134
Days Since Last Run:
56
Verdict
Improved again to land back-to-back 2½m Newbury handicaps last March, most notably the valuable Greatwood Gold Cup. Yet to fire this season but now 2 lb below last winning mark and, with the recent rain a help, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back with a bold show.
6. Happy And Fine
J: Bryan CarverT: Alex Hales
F: 311PF3-43
Price History:
8.50
Age:
8
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
125
Days Since Last Run:
65
Verdict
Likeable sort who recorded back-to-back chase victories last winter and made a decent return when fourth at Haydock. Failed to to build on that when third at Sandown (2½m, good to soft) next time but that was a decent effort nonetheless and he merits respect down another 1 lb.
11. Eaton Collina
J: Richard PatrickT: Kerry Lee
F: 3511-5335
Price History:
12.00
Age:
10
Weight:
11-1
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
121
Days Since Last Run:
63
Verdict
Improved form when recording back-to-back victories at Wetherby last February and posted best effort of this season so far when third back there on penultimate start. However, he didn't see things out particularly well there and that trait was even more pronounced at Haydock last time.
8. Smarty Wild
J: Sean HoulihanT: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
F: 232/P33
Price History:
21.00
Age:
11
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
122
Days Since Last Run:
70
Verdict
Understandably needed the run back from almost 2 years off at Haydock in December and subsequent placed efforts at Market Rasen and Warwick have been respectable. On the downside, the drop to this trip seemingly counted against him last time and he's just 1-17 over fences. Cheekpieces now tried.
7. Equus Dancer
J: Shane FenelonT: Peter & Michael Bowen
F: 1010/3-
Price History:
17.00
Age:
11
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
124
Days Since Last Run:
410
Verdict
Enhanced his impressive strike rate by scoring over hurdles and fences during the 2022/23 campaign. Shaped better than the distance beaten when returning from 11 months off at Newcastle last March but subsequent absence is naturally a concern.
9. Sheldon
J: David NoonanT: Seamus Mullins
F: P1317-73F
Price History:
21.00
Age:
9
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
122
Days Since Last Run:
44
Verdict
Dual Wincanton winner at around this trip last term but his jumping clearly isn't getting any better judged on this season's exploits, falling when in with a shout at the third-last back at Wincanton (25f, soft) last time. Others make more appeal.
3. Galop De Chasse
J: Ned FoxT: Venetia Williams
F: 23/1-23P4P
Price History:
29.00
Age:
9
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
127
Days Since Last Run:
37
Verdict
Won his only start of last season at Newbury and resumed from 12 months off with respectable placed efforts at Wetherby and the aforementioned Berkshire track. However, seems to have lost his way since and Charlie Deutsch prefers Bucksy des Epeires.
4. Mount Tempest
J: Charlie ToddT: Dan Skelton
F: 3P42-4144
Price History:
31.00
Age:
8
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
126
Days Since Last Run:
50
Verdict
Built on reappearance fourth of 15 at Bangor when striking at Sandown in December, winning with more in hand than the margin of victory would suggest. However, he hasn't fired in 2 subsequent starts and Heltenham may represent his title-chasing yard's best chance of success here.
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