15:10 Chepstow

Wednesday 8 November 2017

All12:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:4016:15

Cross Keys At Lydney Eddie White Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 23.5s

Western Climate³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: T H Weston| OR: 125

11/1

Winner at Hereford over shorter In February but seemed to stay this trip fine when third at Uttoxeter on comeback effort this season. Won't mind how deep it gets, still looks to have more to offer and with top jockey booked, looks a player.

Form: 2P5P3/3

Catching On^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

66/1

Consistency not his strong point, and Warwick win in February surrounded by other middling efforts. Stays this trip and further though, enjoys soft ground and on fair mark, so has some positives, but needs to bounce back after poor effort last time.

Form: 5P715-8

Steely Addition¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 116

4/1

Turned out under a penalty here after a ready win at Exeter last week. Did it nicely there but new questions to answer here are the slight step up in trip and likely slower ground. Obvious chance as an in-form horse, but no good thing to follow up.

Form: 1334-F1

Billy Dutton⁵⁷⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 122| D

40/1

Into the veteran stage now and hasn't been seen on a racecourse for over 18 months, so some clear negatives there, but these conditions used to suit and he has a reasonable record at the track too. Risky, but not totally discounted if ready to go.

Form: 33923F/

Red Rising²⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120| D

7/4

Falls into the "could be anything" bracket after an easy win at Carlisle on only start for the yard in February, and well beaten third went close after so form looks okay. Stays well and handles plenty of cut, and could be hard to beat here.

Form: 81/1-

Say My Name²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 118

6/1

Stays much further than this and better known as a chaser these days. Regressive for much of last season and usually needs a run or two to put him straight, so hard to fancy and others readily preferred.

Form: P83944-

Hey Bill¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 118| D

33/1

Twice a winner in 2016 and looked useful when winning with plenty in hand at Southwell around this time last year. Not so good since though, and although latest effort easily forgiven (physical issue) has a bit to find now.

Form: 5/8117-P

Malapie²²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 117| BF| D

8/1

Won with far more in hand than a ¾l margin would suggest at Southwell in March (plenty went wrong in the race) but burst a blood vessel when trying to follow up, which is a concern. Possibly best fresh, so not ruled out here, with conditions ideal.

Form: 1FB/21P-

Waterloo Warrior^b,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117

7/1

Looks slow and seems to need this trip as a minimum, ran best race for a while when second at Exeter last time out but seems to reserve best efforts for there. Up another 3lb means he needs more, but is at least likely to run his race again.

Form: 65P2-42

Norse Legend⁵⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 114

25/1

Looked regressive when last seen and jury still out as to whether this trip is really what he wants, but the handicapper has at least given him a chance if he''s fit for this, his first run for 18 months.

Form: P32P60/

Rafafie²⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 106| C

25/1

Pops up from time to time when he finds his level, but this trip is a huge unknown (bets form at shorter) and wins tend to come in lesser grade. Hard to make a solid case for and others preferred.

Form: 4/P7521-

Forecasts

Red Rising (7/4), Steely Addition (4/1), Say My Name (6/1), Waterloo Warrior (7/1), Malapie (8/1), Western Climate (11/1), Rafafie (25/1), Norse Legend (25/1), Hey Bill (33/1), Billy Dutton (40/1), Catching On (66/1)

RED RISING looks nicely handicapped on his Carlisle win and it will be a major surprise if that's as good as he is. He really wouldn't have to improve much, if any, to take this, and from the Dan Skelton yard, fitness is not likely to be an issue. Malapie is another that still looks well handicapped on his second to Lady Buttons last year and still showed signs of greenness when winning at Southwell. The fact he burst a blood vessel last time out will be a worry, but if he's okay today, can take the silver medal. Western Climate may be best of the rest.