15:55 Chepstow

Tuesday 31 October 2017

All13:1513:4514:2014:5015:2515:5516:30

R M Solutions Recruitment Specialists Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 4m 59.7s

For Carmel²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 100| BF

12/1

First run for new yard (formerly with Michael Winters) and had shown some form in Ireland, but best form over further and in much slower ground that he will encounter today. Doesn't look that well handicapped and yard out of form, so plenty to prove

Form: 995623-

Steel Express¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 100

14/1

Respectable third to Treackle Tart at Exeter in April looks all the better with the winners exploits since, not so good on final start but step back up in trip a likely positive and if fit after an absence, isn't discounted.

Form: 666736-

Grams And Ounces^p,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 100| C

8/1

Runs his race more often than not and pops up from time to time. Likes it here (two wins on the Flat) and latest second at Exeter suggests that he's still in form despite a busy schedule this summer. Each way prospects again at worst.

Form: 34334-2

Little Jimmy^t²²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: T Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 99| C

40/1

Better known as a chaser, and likely to be using this as a warm up to another campaign in that sphere again this year. Best form comes in heavy ground, which he won' get here, and best watched today.

Form: 5/49244-

Smart Boy⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ian Popham| T: Jack Barber| OR: 92

1/2

First winner for the yard when absolutely destroying a field at Plumpton on latest start, coming right away in the closing stages to win 30l. Quick turnaround under a penalty here and under similar conditions, has to be hard to beat.

Form: F738-21

Let's Tango²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 98

12/1

Hadn't done much until third to Jester Jet at Wetherby in March, and not seen since then, but may be the sort that just needed time and if continuing in the same vein here, has chances under conditions that should suit.

Form: 608/663-

Beallandendall²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: D Faulkner| OR: 96

33/1

Thrown in here on the best of his form but some while since he showed any of that, and recent efforts suggest he's on the downgrade. Hard to fancy in current frame of mind and other readily preferred.

Form: 57F-480

Dragoon Guard¹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 95

100/1

Formerly with Anthony Honeyball, had first run for new yard when well down the field at Newton Abbot, with new headgear doing little. Only one win in 24 starts and looks unlikely to double his tally here.

Form: 24U8-68

Alberto's Dream²⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: T Symonds| OR: 90

22/1

Better known as a chaser, although not much wrong with his third to Just Joelliott (hurdles) at Ludlow in January. Poor overall strike rate though, and likely to need this before returning to fences. Hard to make a solid case for.

Form: 3/P2746-

Sydney De Baune²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 89

20/1

Nicely bred but done little so far, although has raced mainly on heavy ground and may fare better here. Only a 7/1 chance for a competitive Wincanton handicap when last seen, suggesting better was expected, and needs a market check here.

Form: 475/90-

Ronnie Lawson^t1¹³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 87

14/1

Three times a point-to-point winner and well handicapped on those, but hasn't sone anywhere near enough over hurdles to suggest he's the same horse these days. Top jockey booked and first time tongue tie mean he needs a look in the market, however.

Form: 5111/P6

Ordensritter⁶⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 86

40/1

Not seen out since January 2016, and you have to go back to 2014 to find his last win. Very well handicapped on best form and good ground here would suit, so with good conditional booked, another that will require a market check in a weak race.

Form: 25632P/

Minella Voucher²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 85

50/1

Lightly raced and probably has some improvement to come, but five starts to date don't suggest he's about to take this. Best trip still unknown (weakened over this trip last time) and others make much more appeal.

Form: 4-54756

Cosmic Diamond^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 83

16/1

Broke his duck with a hard-fought win at Huntingdon last time out, and handicapper has been sensible with just a 4lb rise for that. Up in grade her,e so may need more, but at least comes here in form and good ground will be fine.

Form: 6844-21

Moontripper¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 82

28/1

Couple of efforts behind well-handicapped sorts this summer suggests she's on a fair enough mark if she can put it all together, and to that end this trip and likely ground will suit. May outrun likely big odds and not one to dismiss completely.

Form: 255586

Cry Fury^t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 79

20/1

Ran okay at Uttoxeter over further last time out but the bottom line with him is that he simply doesn't win races (just two wins in 41 starts) and often flatters to deceive. Others make more appeal.

Form: 262775

Whiskey John⁴⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 74

33/1

Not seen out for over a year and had fallen a long way in the handicap after some very moderate efforts.Yard can land a gamble so needs a glance in the market, but looks an unlikely winner.

Form: FPP/033-

Admiral Blake²⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: T E Whelan| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 73| BF| D

33/1

No win since 2014, into the veteran stage now and although he can travel well in his races, he finds little for pressure. Not seen since April and likely to need this anyway, so hard to fancy.

Form: 4/37559-

Forecasts

Smart Boy (1/2), Grams And Ounces (8/1), For Carmel (12/1), Let's Tango (12/1), Ronnie Lawson (14/1), Steel Express (14/1), Cosmic Diamond (16/1), Sydney De Baune (20/1), Cry Fury (20/1), Alberto's Dream (22/1), Moontripper (28/1), Beallandendall (33/1), Admiral Blake (33/1), Whiskey John (33/1), Ordensritter (40/1), Little Jimmy (40/1), Minella Voucher (50/1), Dragoon Guard (100/1)

Plenty hold some sort of claim here but they'll all be playing for the places if SMART BOY can reproduce his Plumpton demolition job. He's well in under a penalty here and as long as that race didn't take too much out of him, he can follow up here. Sydney De Baune probably has more improvement in him that most here and on that alone, is worth a look in the market. Ronnie Lawson, Whiskey John and Last Tango may all do better today.