15:40 Chepstow

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Pertemps Opportunities Around The Corner Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 6m 13.00s

Ptit Zig^b³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

8/1

Multiple Grade 1/2 winner at his best but a fair way below that level nowadays and top weight may be too big an ask against some more in-form rivals.

Form: 2-8430P

Connetable^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

4/1

Has run some good races in more competitive handicap hurdles than this so far this season. Just 1lb higher than when placing at Musselburgh last time and trip/ground should suit here; leading claims.

Form: 805243

Sainte Ladylime³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135| D

5/1

Second in a Grade 2 last time in conditions that were probably more testing than ideal for her. 16L behind the winner there and up 2lb but this is obviously much easier and she has an obvious chance on that form.

Form: U4-1U22

Eminent Poet³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

16/1

Good on his day but generally inconsistent and last two efforts have left plenty to be desired, including in an easier race over C&D.

Form: 3-95137

Coeur Blimey¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 132

8/1

Ran well to finish fourth in the Betfair Hurdle last time and could have more to offer off this mark, especially having also caught the eye in the Lanzarote on his penultimate start; this is much easier.

Form: 2-51564

Padge⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132

16/1

Pulled-up on first run for over 18 months at Wincanton over Christmas, obviously may have needed that run but still best watched here.

Form: 1FU30/P

This Is It²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 128

8/1

A step in the right direction when beaten only narrowly over C&D last time out but returns to handicap company in a tougher race and has a bit to find with the best of these.

Form: 32-1692

Poker Play^p1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

8/1

Useful juvenile hurdler last season but hasn't really built on that form so far this campaign. Down just 1lb from an 11L beating at Exeter last time and more is needed now in first-time cheek pieces.

Form: 120-5P3

Salmanazar²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 126| D

16/1

Probably needed the run when seventh on return from a break at Huntingdon last month, but needs to return to something like his best to prove competitive here.

Form: 514P2/7

Book of Gold^p1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 125

7/1

Remains a maiden over hurdles despite having gone well in some quality handicaps. This isn't the easiest race to get off the mark in but clearly appreciated staying trip at Newbury last time. Cheek pieces on.

Form: 5-63423

Carnspindle³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

8/1

Promising novice last season who hasn't really gone on from that level of form so far this campaign. This looks tougher than the two races she's finished third in the last twice.

Form: 12-0633

Forecasts

Connetable (4/1), Sainte Ladylime (5/1), Book of Gold (7/1), Carnspindle (8/1), Poker Play (8/1), Coeur Blimey (8/1), This Is It (8/1), Ptit Zig (8/1), Salmanazar (16/1), Padge (16/1), Eminent Poet (16/1)

Having run well in what appeared to be very testing ground in the Betfair Hurdle last time COEUR BLIMEY is presented with an easier opportunity off the same mark here. Provided that race hasn't taken too much out of the gelding he should be able to take advantage of what appears a much less competitive ground, not to mention what should be more favourable conditions. He narrowly gets the vote ahead of recent Grade 2 runner-up Sainte Ladylime and Paul Nicholls' Connetable.