14:20 Chepstow

Wednesday 21 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Benham Architects Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 21.10s

Garrane⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 96| D

5/4

Sauntered home when landing a gamble last week and had plenty left in the tank. Even taking his penalty in to account he is 4lb below his future mark and so should take plenty of beating.

Form: 084431

Abbeygrey^p¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101| D

14/1

Has lost his way of late but his last two victories have come after a break. Yard's horses are showing signs of returning to form and they have won this twice in three attempts.

Form: 514PP9

Steel Express³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 99

12/1

Has claims on some of his novice form but he has become inconsistent over the past 12 months. Best efforts have come at Exeter and he handicapper needs to be more lenient.

Form: 36-0397

Mountain Of Mourne^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: James Best| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 98| C

8/1

Sole win came here on heavy ground in 2015 and he produced another good run on bad ground here last month. Has C&D form on good ground and each-way claims if staying this far on ground as bad as this.

Form: 9P-P524

We'll Be There^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: W S Kittow| OR: 90WS

20/1

The only decent run of her career came here a year ago on soft ground over 2m4f. Different headgear has been trialled to no avail and she has now undergone wind surgery.

Form: 322-780

Phangio^b,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 87| CD

7/1

Two of his three career victories have come here but on better ground. Produced a more encouraging effort last time, however the form has been devalued since.

Form: P69472

Courtinthemiddle³⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J E Moore| T: D Faulkner| OR: 83

11/1

Improved to land a weak race at Kempton a year ago when the explanation was noted that he wanted quicker ground. Unlikely to relish these conditions and he has an absence to overcome.

Form: 079814-

Filatore^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 79| C

10/1

Both his wins over hurdles have come on soft ground at Ffos Las and the losing run now continues to grow. Looks well handicapped on some of his form but does have his own ideas about racing and not one to trust.

Form: 384585

Boardwalk Empire¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs K A Buckett| OR: 79| D

9/1

Beat Krackatoa King on heavy ground over this trip as a novice and was once rated 125. Has declined since but appeared to have found his level last time when ahead of Filatore. Did well to finish so close after a dreadful error and no forlorn hope.

Form: 3PR-PP4

Forecasts

Garrane (5/4), Phangio (7/1), Mountain Of Mourne (8/1), Boardwalk Empire (9/1), Filatore (10/1), Courtinthemiddle (11/1), Steel Express (12/1), Abbeygrey (14/1), We'll Be There (20/1)

GARRANE will be a warm order to follow up last week's success given his fitness is proven and he is 4lb "well-in". Mountain Of Mourne goes well here and offers each-way potential, whilst Abbeygrey goes well after a break and could bounce back from some terrible performances. Boardwalk Empire is a big danger to the selection as conditions are highly favourable and he receives plenty of weight from his rivals.