16:35 Chepstow

Sunday 15 October 2017

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

John Ayres Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 55.55s

Village Vic¹⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 158| C| D

11/2

Loves to make the running and is best when caught fresh. His season will be built around a return to his beloved Cheltenham but the fact he won his Bumper here on heavy is a positive fact. One to seriously consider if the market vibes are strong.

Form: 0/2320P-

Sizing Granite^t¹⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 157

14/1

Underlined Colin Tizzard's ability as a trainer when a victory was coaxed from the gelding at Punchestown in April. Off since then, so obviously fitness is a slight concern. However, his lack of consistency raises enough concern to look elsewhere.

Form: 2/P5P51-

Double Shuffle^h¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 151

7/1

Three miles suits ideally and has to be forgiven his effort when he failed to see out the marathon of the Grand National. Claims on the pick of his efforts but this trip appears to be on the sharp side these days.

Form: 2P512P-

Arthur's Oak²⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 150| C| D

8/1

Capable on his day but has had training issues and it's hard ascertain how much ability and enthusiasm he still retains. Debuts for a respected yard but makes limited appeal for a sporting punt in the absence of a pre-race paddock watcher's guide.

Form: 12110/5-

Different Gravey¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 147| D

20/1

Shot up to a rating to 160 at hes best over hurdles and looked set for the top when with Nicky Henderson...then spectacularly failed to deliver and quickly dropped off the radar. Seemingly lost his way and of limited appeal on debut for a new yard.

Form: 15/155P-

Ultragold^t¹⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142| D

16/1

Day in the sun when winning the Topham Chase at Aintree in April. That a great effort but was 50/1 on the day and probably surprised even his most ardent supporters. Up 6lb and now needs a personal best, so faces big test for his seasonal return.

Form: 1B6791-

Wadswick Court^b,t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134

11/1

Won at Uttoxeter on penultimate start but reverted to type when outpaced near the finish at Market Rasen under a revised mark. Never won off a mark this high and is another that needs to pull out all the stops.

Form: 522216

Romain De Senam^h,t¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

7/4

Solid performance to chase home the classy Vaniteux at Ayr when last seen out. Yard extended an impressive haul on this card by sending out the winner last year. Likely candidate to repeat the feat if this new trip suits the gelding.

Form: 315752-

Mystifiable^t¹⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

13/2

Out of the weights, so obviously comes here on unfavorable terms. Did show a likeable attitude to win last time out but this is much tougher and debatable how much he has left in the locker.

Form: 11P/971-

Forecasts

Romain De Senam (7/4), Village Vic (11/2), Mystifiable (13/2), Double Shuffle (7/1), Arthur's Oak (8/1), Wadswick Court (11/1), Sizing Granite (14/1), Ultragold (16/1), Different Gravey (20/1)

Paul Nicholls has dominated this meeting in recent times and has yet another useful looking candidate for top honours in the shape of ROMAIN DE SENAM, who has yet to really fulfill his true potential but may well flourish over this new trip. Village Vic is likely to ensure a good pace if he runs his usual race, which will suit the likes of Double Shuffle and Sizing Granite, who can both ensure this is a good test, whereas Ultragold can be a threat to all when he's in the right frame of mind but needs to be at his very best to overcome his rise in the weights after victory in the Topham Chase when last seen out.