15:30 Chepstow

Sunday 8 January 2017

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 17.9s

Ubaltique^b,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 121

6/1

Not the most straightforward of animals but is capable over fences and won twice last season. Two runs so far back from a break have shown that he is still capable although he did fade rather quickly at Haydock last time promising more than he delivered (often his way). Only 1lb above his last winning mark here and respected.

Form: 34215P-

Grey Life⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 120

25/1

All his wins have come around this trip for his former stable and he hasn't really fired of late. Looked out of sorts on his last start and more needed to take a hand here.

Form: 7/12633-

Virnon³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul Moloney| T: G A Swinbank| OR: 119

8/1

Had shown some decent form over hurdles and looks capable of matching that over fences. Unseated rider on his chasing debut but showed improved form last time out (clearly appreciated his first start over fences) at Hexham when chasing home Clan Legend and could well improve again here off the same mark.

Form: U29221-

Dream Bolt⁴⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 115

16/1

In good form over the summer over both hurdles and fences winning handicaps over the larger obstacles at Newton Abbot twice. Back from a break here after winning over hurdles last time out at Worcester. Has to be able to handle the softer ground here but worthy of respect on his summer form alone.

Form: 11/1265-

Allow Dallow^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 115

33/1

Form is rather patchy although he can turn in a solid performance now and again. Can travel strongly in his races but was pulled-up last time out and question marks remain here.

Form: 3-22273

After Hours²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 114

6/5

Hurdles winner who has shown some decent form over fences in three starts so far and looks to be steadily improving. Proved no match for a seemingly well-handicapped winner at Newbury on his last start and beaten an eased down 18 lengths in the end but well clear of the rest of the field. The handicapper has left him on the same mark here and that gives him a real chance to get off the mark over fences.

Form: 146-422

Tara Bridge²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C Gordon| OR: 112

7/1

Handicapper appeared to rather get his measure over hurdlers and the switch to fences was inevitable. Showed up well on his debut over the larger obstacles off a reduced mark looking more comfortable over fences and it would be no surprise to see him take another step forward here.

Form: 28832-3

Keep Moving²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 114

12/1

Form over fences in France was modest to say the least and he's not really built on that in two starts for his current yard. Well beaten last time out and work to do to take a hand here.

Form: 7F5F4-

Capilla^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102

14/1

Form over fences has a rather up and down look to it although he did manage back-to-back wins at Lingfield and Wincanton in December 2015. Appeared to find marks in excess of 110 beyond him after those wins and now down to a more reasonable mark. Shaped better than his final position at Ffos Las last time out and now 1lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 227P3-P

Shintori^h,t⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Woollacott| OR: 97

14/1

Two efforts so far over fences and showed a much improved effort the second time out when he was second at Wincanton. Different tactics may well have played their part there and he benefitted from a positive ride with the hood on for the first time (retained here). Open to further improvement as a chaser and has a chance of breaking his chasing maiden here.

Form: 3253F-P

Non-Runners

Captain Hox³¹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: P Griffin J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

After Hours (6/5), Captain Hox (11/2), Ubaltique (6/1), Tara Bridge (7/1), Virnon (8/1), Keep Moving (12/1), Shintori (14/1), Capilla (14/1), Dream Bolt (16/1), Grey Life (25/1), Allow Dallow (33/1)

A mixture of experienced handicappers and potential improvers go to post here and on balance it looks to be the improvers that hold sway here. AFTER HOURS has the look of a mildly progressive one over fences and looked rather unlucky to run into a very well-handicapped winner last time out. This looks a good opportunity for him and he’s preferred to another one with potential in Virnon for whom the penny looks to be dropping over fences. Tara Bridge wasn’t disgraced on his chase debut while Dream Bolt has to be respected on his form in the summer if he can handle this deeper winter ground. 1. After Hours 2. Virnon 3. Tara Bridge