15:50 Chepstow

Friday 19 January 2018

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

Download The App At 188Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 5m 22.60s

Becauseshesaidso²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 100

4/1

Yet to add to his debut bumper win from 2014 and has not really threatened to do so. 2m4f on soft ground is just about optimum racing conditions and a 2lb drop should help, so despite misgivings it is hard to rule him out.

Form: 8-P3624

Refused A Name^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 98

20/1

Won a couple of times over 2m4f in Ireland when conditions were testing. Lost form there and only seen once in past 11-months when pulled up on debut for this stable at Uttoxeter in November. Plenty for him to prove.

Form: 23297-P

Kings Cross^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 95| D

17/2

Without a win for over two years now, though has run well a few times since. Stays 3m and acts with cut in the ground. Has dropped to a handy mark and probably fine dropped back to this trip. Enters calculations.

Form: 2P6245

Auenwirbel^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 95

6/1

Last two completed starts have seen him make the frame here over C&D (heavy) and at Taunton (2m, soft). Further 2lb drop will help but, while he might have a say, he may find a few to beat him.

Form: 00-93U3

Easyondeye^t⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: T E Whelan| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 90

16/1

Won a maiden hunter chase on his rules debut, but has drawn a blank on 17 subsequent starts. Failed to complete in four of his last six and thrashed from this mark on stable debut at Leicester last week.

Form: U4P/UP-7

General Girling^v²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 88

14/1

Stamina is really his forte, so this trip may be on the short side for him. Has been out of form since winning at Towcester (3m½f, soft) in March and first two runs for this trainer leave him with a bit to prove. Good claimer booked.

Form: P114-5P

Finnegan's Garden³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 82

9/2

Despite his basement rating, this gelding has been well placed to win a two and make the frame in two more races in the last 10-months. Handicapper didn't miss his 35L Plumpton win (soft) last month, but an 8lb rise may not be beyond him.

Form: 631-521

Ballyegan²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 81

7/1

Has won seven in his career at up to 3m, the latest being a 6L success at Towcester (2m4f, good to soft) last time. More testing conditions today, but won a point-to-point on heavy and 7lb rise may not prevent another very competitive effort.

Form: 15-5341

Brereton^p⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: R Woollacott| OR: 78

12/1

Hinted that he may be able to win a race when hurdling at up to 2m5½f, but has not got into either race he has contested since going chasing and fell when towards the rear last time. Not easy to fancy on that evidence.

Form: 404-07F

Badilou^p,h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: J McGrath| T: M Hill| OR: 77| D

12/1

Won two hurdles at 2m3f when trained in France but has been barren since joining this trainer, making the frame just once at Worcester (2m7f, good) in July. Fell when going well enough two starts ago and a clear round may see him involved.

Form: 7-863F8

In The Tub²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Michael Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 73

33/1

Yet to make the frame in nine rules races, though has won a couple of point-to-points. Has failed to complete in five of his last seven starts and was well beaten in the other two, so from 1lb out of the handicap he is readily opposed.

Form: 232P/7P

Bonds Conquest^p³⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: J E Moore| T: J W Mullins| OR: 70

10/1

17-race maiden, but placed in his last five completed starts from 2m3½f-3m1½f. Acts on soft ground, though well beaten on sole attempt on heavy. Has fitness to prove after 13-month absence, but if that holds up then he could be in the money again.

Form: 22/P233-

Mountain Of Angels^h²³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs M Evans| OR: 65

20/1

Won a point-to-point in May and ran well for a long way until weakening and beaten 45L on rules debut at Ffos Las (2m5f, good) in June. Acts on soft, though unconvincing when tried on heavy and taken on from 9lb 'wrong'.

Form: 62/34-13

Forecasts

Becauseshesaidso (4/1), Finnegan's Garden (9/2), Auenwirbel (6/1), Ballyegan (7/1), Kings Cross (17/2), Bonds Conquest (10/1), Badilou (12/1), Brereton (12/1), General Girling (14/1), Easyondeye (16/1), Refused A Name (20/1), Mountain Of Angels (20/1), In The Tub (33/1)

Very moderate fayre on offer here and it might pay to stick with FINNEGAN'S GARDEN, who is no good thing after an 8lb rise given his previous record, but is at least in decent form and might have a follow-up success within. Elder statesman Ballyegan also arrives on the back of a win and looks worth short-listing, though whether he is as effective on heavy ground remains to be seen. Bonds Conquest ran well on his reappearance last season, so a lengthy absence need not prevent him from picking up some money, while Becauseshesaidso, Kings Cross and Auenwirbel are also considered.