15:20 Chepstow

Friday 19 January 2018

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Play Roulette At 188Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 6m 33.95s

Back To The Thatch¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 120

11/4

Won a Bangor novices' hurdle (2m7f, soft) under the champion jockey last season. Still open to improvement over fences after just three runs and has made frame on heavy the last twice, both from this mark. Claims.

Form: 249-F23

Catching On^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119| D

12/1

Goes well on testing ground and stays 3m6½f. Has slipped to a good mark based on his old form after a spell hurdling. Came back to chasing with a decent effort at Bangor last time and further 1lb drop will help.

Form: 5-804P4

Alberobello^t⁸⁶

7/1

Goes well here and has won both over C&D and on heavy ground at the track. Now 1lb below his last winning mark again and should be thereabouts.

Form: P4/1-356

Greyed A¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 108

7/2

Arrives chasing a hat-trick after back-to-back Fontwell wins over 3m2f on soft/heavy ground. 7lb penalty for latest 5L win will make it tougher, but he is entitled to short-listing given that super recent form.

Form: 6P-9P11

Kingston²⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 113

50/1

Acts on heavy and has won three chases at up to 2m3½f, the latest at Ffos Las in April. 9lb higher than that today and has fitness to prove after an eight-month break, so probably one to watch on this occasion.

Form: P5561-7

Pine Warbler^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 113

12/1

0-10 under rules. Acts on heavy ground and came closest to winning in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in April when a neck second from a 4lb higher mark. Yet to hit those heights in two chases, but interesting in first-time headgear.

Form: 65P2-U8

Umberto D'olivate²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 111| C| D

10/1

Has won on heavy ground and stays 3m. Scored from a mark of 116 at Exeter a year ago, but handicapper took his measure. Now 5lb lower than that. Recent form uninspiring, so check market for clues as to any imminent revival.

Form: 74-739P

Paddy The Oscar¹⁹

Age: 15| Weight: 11-1| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 109| CD

7/1

Evergreen veteran who scored over C&D (soft) in November from 7lb lower and went very close to backing that up when just held from today's mark at Exeter next time. Another good effort last time and entitled to plenty of respect.

Form: 221252

Wood Yer^v³²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 106| CD

9/1

Won over C&D in the forecast conditions in 2016, but has been unable to add to that. Now 8lb lower. Recent efforts leave him with a fair bit to prove, but support for him would increase interest in his chance.

Form: 53F-P45

Astigos¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 87

16/1

Yet to win beyond 2m3½f, though proved that he stays 3m1½f on heavy ground when second at Ffos Las in December. However, 7lb out of the handicap here and recent efforts suggests that this will be too tough for him. Acts on heavy.

Form: PP-6923

Non-Runners

Only Gorgeous²⁹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Back To The Thatch (11/4), Greyed A (7/2), Paddy The Oscar (7/1), Alberobello (7/1), Wood Yer (9/1), Umberto D'olivate (10/1), Catching On (12/1), Pine Warbler (12/1), Astigos (16/1), Only Gorgeous (16/1), Kingston (50/1)

This doesn't look hugely competitive on paper and with his unexposed profile, top weight BACK TO THE THATCH is given the vote. Conditions and trip appear to suit Henry Daly's charge and the presence of the champion, who was on board for his only win so far, fuels confidence. Catching On is suited by this sort of slog and is not dismissed after a better effort last time, while old boy Paddy The Oscar retains all his enthusiasm and can't be ruled out of the prizes. Pine Warbler would be interesting if supported, though the toughest challenge to the selection may well come from Greyed A, who can again go well under his penalty.