16:10 Chepstow

Saturday 14 October 2017

All13:5514:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:20

totepool Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 4m 48.85s

Old Guard¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

22/1

A massively progressive hurdler in 2015, winning both the Greatwood Hurdle and the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, but not really at his best since an aborted chasing career. Finished seventh of 25 in the Coral Cup in March.

Form: 347747-

Alary^t²¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 146

20/1

A dual winner over fences in France in 2015 (Auteuil), and yet to tackle hurdles for his new connections. His latest start came in the Ryanair Chase in March (sixth of eight), and seemingly requires more cut in the ground.

Form: 632PF6-

Wholestone²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145

4/1

Most progressive as a novice hurdler last season winning three times at Cheltenham (2m4f to 3m) culminating with an excellent 7½L third to Penhill in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March. Handicap debut.

Form: 112113-

Three Musketeers¹⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 145

33/1

A four time winner from 12 starts (twice over hurdles, twice over fences), but found wanting back over hurdles in the Grade 1 Stayers Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April, and whilst this is easier, a spell over fences might have blunted his pace.

Form: 4/6U167-

Le Rocher²³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 143| C

20/1

Very lightly raced in a career punctuated by injury, but was a leading juvenile back in 2013/14 and has a 50% strike rate over hurdles. Off since contesting the Game Spirit at Fontwell in February (beaten 29L), but unbeaten at this track (2m).

Form: 11/4212-

River Frost²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 142

16/1

Has achieved plenty since switched from France, and is a three time winner from six starts for this trainer, most latterly over 2m5f at Kempton in February (Good). Finished ninth of 25 in the Coral Cup when last seen and has place claims.

Form: 311F19-

Court Minstrel³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 142| BF| CD

14/1

Classy performer from yesteryear, but not as strong now in advancing years, but as a result is sliding down the weights. Brought down at the first in the Galway Hurdle in August, and not suited by the run of the race at Stratford latest.

Form: 90-42F4

Sam Spinner²⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 136| D

8/1

Progressive novice in the North last season, unbeaten in two starts at Catterick after bumping into the talented Mount Mews at Kelso. Hard to know how that form equates in the South, and makes his handicap debut in a strong contest.

Form: 12/1211-

Bags Groove^t²⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 133| D

7/1

Landed the odds on a couple of occasions in minor novice company at Taunton last season (2m3f good), but was beaten in a stronger contest at Huntingdon in February when blundering two out. Unexposed, but more to do on handicap bow.

Form: 2/22151-

Doesyourdogbite¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

25/1

Fancied for Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January following a ready success there over Christmas (2m5f good) but never figured and a shade disappointing in tough events thereafter. Capable and possibly better fresh easing back down the handicap.

Form: 116000-

Louis' Vac Pouch^h¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

25/1

Ended last season on an upward curve winning three of his last four races, and proving his stamina when successful over 2m4½f at Market Rasen in April. Up 7lb, and this is by far his sternest test yet.

Form: 641F11-

Souriyan^b¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 131

25/1

Race fit and in-form having scored the past twice in lesser events at Uttoxeter (2m7½f) and Stratford (2m6f). With those victories coming over longer trips, that leaves him potentially exposed against a few relatively sharp rivals.

Form: 6465-11

Whatduhavtoget¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF

12/1

Readily accounted for Taws by 16L when winning a soft ground mares novices hurdle at Ludlow in March (2m5½f), but beaten at Ayr on her final start of the season and plenty to find here from a 3lb higher mark on her return to action.

Form: 120212-

Sumkindofking¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 129| BF| C

8/1

Won a bumper here by 12L on stable debut in November 2016 (good), but no further success since winning a Southwell maiden hurdle later that month. However, not fully exposed in handicaps, and wasn't far away in a 2m5f class 2 at Kempton in March.

Form: 117550-

Wishing And Hoping²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 128

16/1

Let down by his fencing on more than one occasion in novice chases last winter, but back over hurdles with a never nearer third to River Frost (beaten 5+L) at Kempton in February (2m5f good), and now better off at the weights.

Form: 1P/2FF3-

Drumcliff^t¹⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 125

10/1

A six race maiden over hurdles (Taunton bumper winner in December 2015), but went well on his handicap debut at Kempton in December (2m good) when beaten 1L by Bigmartre. More to do, but time still on his side.

Form: 8/6225B-

Milrow^t⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 125

66/1

Has plenty of hurdling experience and a 25% strike rate (3 from 12). Kept busy over the summer, a Stratford (2m½f) winner in August, he was beaten 10¾L by Golden Birthday in a class 2 event over much further (2m5½f) at Newton Abbot latest.

Form: 3-39143

Peak To Peak¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| CD

10/1

Followed up a short odds Plumpton success (2m4½f good to firm) when all out to hold sole realistic rival Jameson in a C&D novice event 12 days later. Handicap debut, but unlikely to be strong enough in this grade.

Form: 173511-

Forecasts

Wholestone (4/1), Bags Groove (7/1), Sam Spinner (8/1), Sumkindofking (8/1), Peak To Peak (10/1), Drumcliff (10/1), Whatduhavtoget (12/1), Court Minstrel (14/1), River Frost (16/1), Wishing And Hoping (16/1), Le Rocher (20/1), Alary (20/1), Old Guard (22/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (25/1), Souriyan (25/1), Doesyourdogbite (25/1), Three Musketeers (33/1), Milrow (66/1)

An early season highlight which is contested by a number of useful former novice hurdlers, many of whom are making their handicap debuts, and these second season progressive types tend to have more scope in these events compared with the more battle hardened handicappers. WHOLESTONE fits that profile and heads the market having rounded off with an excellent third to Penhill in the 3m Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March. Whilst most of his racing has been done at that particular track, there's nothing to say he won't prove as effective elsewhere and he stands out as the most obvious pick. However, others also have strong claims, and these include the likes of Sumkindofking and River Frost. The latter named looks well capable of competing from an elevated mark, and should prove stronger than the fellow JP McManus owned runner Drumcliff. In terms of those horses at shorter odds who potentially have a little to prove, both Bags Groove (form) and Alary (ground) could be worth opposing.