15:15 Chepstow
Thursday 23 March 2017
All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5017:25
Triflex Novices' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 131y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 6 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 16.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Consistent type who has finished in the first three on all six starts so far. Beaten into second when favourite last time but was 9L clear of the third. Goes up 6lb for that but he has to have a big chance again if he stays the extra 3½ furlongs.
Makes his handicap debut today having run with some merit on two starts in maiden/novice hurdles. Opening mark looks fair and we know he runs well here, but the step up in trip would be a slight concern given how he's faded over shorter on both starts over hurdles.
Finished just ahead of Glenforde on his most recent start at Warwick when finishing third (2m5f, heavy). Allotted the same mark on handicap debut, which obviously gives him a slight advantage over his reopposing rival, and he shaped as if the step up in trip would suit him better.
Never seemed to be travelling on handicap debut at Exeter last time out (2m7f, good to soft), having shown some promise in novice hurdles previously including races where the form is working out well. Won a point to point in heavy conditions so the ground shouldn't be an issue, and she's a player if putting last time's disappointment behind her.
Was well beaten in all his starts in novice hurdles and steps up markedly in trip to make his handicap debut today. A big step forward will be needed for him to prove competitive, but perhaps the extra distance will help.
Recent handicap form (both in hurdles and chases) does not make for encouraging reading, and his mark of 103 over the smaller obstacles looks effectively prohibitive at this stage, even if this should be easier than some of his recent races. Visor applied for the first time.
Non-Runners
2
What A Diva36
Weight: 11-8| Age: 6
T: P & M Bowen J: L P Aspell
NR
Forecasts
Big Meadow (5/6), Glenforde (11/4), What A Diva (6/1), Thegirlfrommilan (17/2), Falcons Fall (9/1), Ambion Lane (14/1), Heluvagood (33/1)
Big Meadow is the most consistent of these, never having been out of the first three on six starts under rules so far and was far from disgraced when beaten favourite last time, while Thegirlfrommilan handles the sort of conditions we're likely to experience today and so has to be feared if putting last time's disappointment behind her. Preference though, is for WHAT A DIVA. Peter Bowen's charge had looked progressive before disappointing in a trickier race at Towcester last time, in a result that could prove to be an anomaly. She looks to have further improvement in her and she can provide the answer.
- What A Diva
- Big Meadow
- Thegirlfrommilan
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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