14:40 Chepstow

Thursday 23 March 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5017:25

Rockwool Novices' Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 3f 100y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   5 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:40  |   Winning time: 5m 8.00s
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Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
1
Horse silk
Hills Of Dubai266
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  109
4/1
Beaten favourite in a maiden hurdle at Perth when last seen in June (2m4f, good). Has previously had other long absences from the track so clearly has had his issues and he has to overcome top weight on handicap debut, but he has shown flashes of ability and can't be ruled out.
2
Horse silk
Billy Hicksh21
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-11| J: David England| T: S Drinkwater| OR:  108
9/4
Gave the impression that a step up in trip would suit when winning at Ludlow over 2m last time, and should have won more easily but for a mistake at the last. Opening mark seems fair, but he did struggle in testing conditions at this course on his hurdling debut.
3
Horse silk
Samdibient40
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-10| J: Jake Greenall| T: S Thomas| OR:  107
9/1
Was travelling well when coming down at the penultimate hurdle on handicap debut at Fontwell two starts ago, before disappointing when pulling up at Uttoxeter last time. Possible that the very testing conditions didn't suit that day, but he could face a similar situation today, and is dropped only 1lb.
4
Horse silk
Braw Angus18
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR:  107
13/8
Proved his opening handicap mark was somewhat lenient on handicap debut at at Huntingdon last time, when, coupled with a step up in trip he managed to get off the mark having struggled in novice company. Goes up 9lb for that but there could be more to come, and though this is his first run at this track the emphasis on stamina should give him the edge.
6
Horse silk
Gilly Grace30
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-5| J: Bryony Frost(7)| T: J D Frost| OR:  88
8/1
Ran slightly better than the market suggested she might when fifth on handicap debut at Taunton last time out (2m3f, good) and is dropped 3lb for that effort. This is less competitive but she still has something to find to get involved.

Non-Runners

5
Horse silk
Quarry Wizard14
Weight: 10-9|  Age: 7
T: Mrs S Leech  J: R P McLernon
NR

Forecasts

Braw Angus (13/8), Billy Hicks (9/4), Hills Of Dubai (4/1), Gilly Grace (8/1), Samdibien (9/1), Quarry Wizard (16/1)

Verdict

This will probably go to one of the two last time winners in the field. BILLY HICKS makes his handicap debut today off what seems to be a fair mark, and he gave the impression that a few furlongs further would suit him well given the way he won at Ludlow earlier in the month. He has to overcome a poor run at this track on debut, but that can be put own to inexperience, and he looks more than able to make it back-to-back wins here. Meanwhile Braw Angus looks like he'll thrive in a test of stamina like the one he's likely to get today, further back up by the fact he was also entered for a race over 3m2f at Warwick yesterday. If taking this option instead he rates the biggest threat, ahead of the returning Hills of Dubai, if he can overcome a long lay-off.
  1. Billy Hicks
  2. Braw Angus
  3. Billy Hicks

Prize Money

1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00

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