Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase History and Trends
The Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase, run over 3m2f at Newbury, has a rich history which could almost be described as a who’s who of jumpers.
It’s roll of honour is littered with Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winners with some of the greatest jumps trainers there have ever been having had the winner on ore than one occasion. Fulke Walwyn, Fred Winter, Ryan Price and Fred Rimell are just some of the names featuring prominently. Nicky Henderson sent out Zongalero to win almost 40 years ago – strangely, the champion trainer has not had the winner since! Equine superstars to have triumphed previously include Mill House, What A Myth, Master Smudge, Night Nourse and Maori Venture. More recent winners include Party Politics and Jodami.
That said, the Mandarin Chase is not held in the same prestige as was once the case. It’s now only a Class 3 contest and prize money relative to other races staged around the Christmas period has declined so it’s no longer targeted by chasers with loftier ambitions, though no race run over fences at Newbury rarely passes off without incident.
- All winners since 2011 have been shorter than 13/2.
- The last seven winners had all raced within the previous six weeks.
- Winning form over at least 3m over fences is essential.
- There has been no winner aged older than nine since 2006.
- Those carrying under 11st tend to fare badly.
Sandy Beach is a general 5/1 and that looks a solid each-way bet.
Colin Tizzard’s eight-year-old has more experience over fences than many of this weekend rivals and is already a winner at Newbury. He became slightly disappointing last season but returned with a bang following a wind operation when stepped up in distance at Uttoxeter last month. That was only a Class 4 contest but he has plenty of form in this grade and higher and an 8lb rise is understandable. Still only on a mark of 127, he was placed off 135 in 2017 so is still fairly treated.
Charlie Longsdon had the winner of this in 2011 and 2012 so will be expecting a big run from BALLYDINE (6/1 with the sponsor among others). He didn’t reappear until four weeks ago in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and was an honourable fifth. The first and second in that Listed handicap filled the same two positions in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby earlier this week so the form looks strong and Jonathan Burke’s mount, who has only run four times over fences, looks a threat to all.
Reikers Island is another very much unexposed over the larger obstacles. He easily beat a hat-trick seeker at Wincanton on just his second run over fences. Another furlong at Newbury won’t bother him and a five-year-old won the race last year for the first time in history. Philip Hobbs’ top weight is just a best 3/1 to follow up.
Vice Et Vertu is next best in the betting at 13/2 with William Hill but the Ascot second has already won 18 times over fences so there may not be much more improvement to come back on a career-high mark.
Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase Current Best Odds
Reikers Island 3/1, Sandy Beach 5/1, Ballydine 6/1, Vice Et Vertu 13/2, Sir Ivan 8/1, Aurillac 11/1, Carole’s Destrier 12/1, Frankly Speaking and Scotchtown 16/1, Hey Bill 22/1
(Odds Correct at 3.00pm December 28)
