1.00 Newbury
Burges Salmon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4YO plus)
Winner £6,882
Advice: 1 pt win The Cockney Mackem (2/1 general)
Gandalfe: Safe to say that in three UK runs he’s not brought
over his French form and may have been flattered to get as close as he did to
Mamlook over fences when last seen and lack of headgear is absent. 
Celtus: Has won three out of four starts over hurdles in
France, beating same rival on two of those occasions; Satisfactory British
Debut when third behind useful pair in Dovecote hurdle and found the hustle and
bustle of the Cheltenham Festival a bit too much for him when pulled up latest;
Still retains promise for chasing and with yard flying, should go very well on
chase debut here.
Lidar: Major underachiever over hurdles following excellent bumper
campaign; First decent run over fences when second last time, having jumped
poorly and to the left on two previous occasions; This looks like a better
race. 
Merehead: Shaped with fair amount of promise as novice
hurdler (beaten by classy types) and showed benefit of a summer behind him when
coming home comfortably clear in Ascot handicap hurdle; Quickly stepped upto
fences and should go well on debut.
The Cockney Mackem: Solid horse who improved his form and
jumping when narrowly beaten by improving Edgardo Sol at Aintree last month;
Experience there could see him push jumping of fencing newcomers and of
interest.
VERDICT: Nicky Henderson’s Celtus is a fascinating contender
if showing his best form on his chasing debut and with the promising Merehead now a non runner, he has just 3 rivals to face. One of them is a very useful one though and conceding weight, along with 2 runs this season/over fences to THE COCKNEY MACKEM, will provide a through examination of his chasing credentials.
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