Gamble foiled as big move on horse 29lb out of the handicap is scuppered

A substantial gamble on Rocambolas, who had beaten just one rival on his last four starts, failed to come off in the 2m4f handicap chase at Newcastle.

Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the six-year-old was as big as 33-1 overnight but that price crashed on Saturday morning and he spent much of the day as short as 3-1 and was made favourite by Paddy Power at one stage.

However, that price began to drift back out shortly before the race and he could only manage fourth behind Knocknamona at odds of 12-1.

Rocambolas had briefly looked the most likely winner as he joined the leaders when travelling strongly two-out, but his challenge quickly weakened and he was eventually beaten 13 and a quarter lengths.

Rocambolas was pulled up by Henry Brooke on his first two starts for the training duo before being beaten 111 lengths in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter when last seen in July.

The British point-to-point winner has an official rating of 45 over hurdles and competed off a mark of 74 in Newcastle's finale, so was technically 29lb out of the handicap for his chasing debut.

Rocambolas' prior form under rules

24/7/2022 Uttoxeter 2m novice hurdle 9/10 beaten 111 lengths
5/7/2022 Uttoxeter 2m novice hurdle pulled up
24/6/2022 Cartmel 2m1f novice hurdle pulled up
10/1/2022 Taunton 2m½f maiden hurdle pulled up
4/12/2021 Chepstow bumper 10/15 beaten 33 lengths

Rocambolas finished tenth in a Chepstow bumper that produced subsequent winners in December 2021 when trained by Evan Williams, and was making his first appearance since wind surgery.

Greenall has thrived since Guerriero's name joined his on the licence this season, with the pair sending out 35 winners in Britain as well as taking a French Listed chase in June.

Rocambolas was the only runner of the day for the joint-trainers, and victory for the well supported gelding would have matched Greenall's tally of 36 winners last season, which is one short of his career-best of 37 winners achieved in 2020-21.

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