Two chases at Newcastle

NEWCASTLE – Monday March 30th

Going – Good to Firm

2.40 2m 4f 0-110 Novices’ Handicap Chase

ROYAL HILARITY’s previous venture north ended in a disappointing performance on soft ground at Catterick. He was much more at home on this fast ground and held off the persistent challenge of Mongorno. He’s ordinary but Peter Bowen is willing to travel to find the right races, although I presume even Bowen will be glad when he gains a ‘local’ in Ffos Las come June .
MONGORNO preformed adequately bearing in mind he’s probably best with some give in the ground. Having been ridden patiently he had every chance but couldn’t wear down the winner after the last. He may go up a pound or two for this and wouldn’t want to be too much higher in the handicap.
CARRIETAU has consistently been found wanting in the later stages of his races, whether at two miles or stepped up to this trip. Once again he raced prominently but couldn’t offer any extra in the straight.
CHIGORIN was left behind from four out, and his overall jumps record of 1 win from 27 is not encouraging.
MORE LIKE IT made some moderate progress before four out, but his effort didn’t last long. His winning form has been with give in the ground.
TOULOUSE EXPRESS found a race soft enough to get his head in front at Market Rasen last time, but reverted to type here and weakened from the twelfth.
BASKERVILLE never got involved and is struggling currently.
GUERILLA raced prominently early but was struggling by halfway and was pulled up. He has produced no worthwhile form for over a year.

4.10 3m 0-105 Handicap Chase

Against some out of form opposition this looked like a golden chance for GENERAL HARDI to drop his maiden tag and he didn’t fluff his lines. He was always going well and forged clear up the straight to win with a bit in hand. His previous form against Garleton reads well since that one won again, and it maybe that there’s a little more to come from General Hardi since there seems nothing wrong with his attitude.
SANDS RISING ran an honest enough race in second place, but he’s woefully short of pace at the business end and never threatened to win.
YANKEE HOLIDAY struggles to truly see out this trip even on fast ground and weakened from two out. He’s a fizzy sort who is kept on the go and his stable will look for opportunities over shorter distances. However his win record is poor.
SCOTT’S MILL seemed to have a fair chance of making an impact here but wasn’t up to the task. He could offer only one pace in the straight.
PRESENTING ALF ran a fair race at Hexham in the autumn when third, but has been well off the pace since then and lost touch before the straight.
TRISONS STAR was tried in a visor but if anything he seemed even more indolent, losing touch by the ninth and soon pulling up.
GLACIAL RAMBLER raced prominently for a way but his recent form is appalling and he was struggling before four out, eventually being pulled up before two out.
SOUND OF CHEERS gave the third a good rap giving his rider no chance of staying aboard.