19:30 Chepstow

Saturday 2 June 2018

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Michael Maine Memorial Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 22.30s

(11)

Sir Billy Wright²⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 83| CD

10/1

Has run well off a break previously and he is fully effective at this trip, in this company and on soft ground. One to consider under good claimer.

Form: 145364-

(1)

Berkshire Boy^v1⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 82| CD

4/1

His last win came over C&D off this mark and on a soft surface. Below par on his last two starts and a visor goes on. Stable took this last year.

Form: 717-507

(6)

Fox Trotter⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: B J Meehan| OR: 80| D

10/3

Below the mark which brought success in better company at Sandown last year. Handles the ground but he has been shaping recently as though he wants a stiffer test than this.

Form: 300-074

(10)

Here's Two³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: R J Hodges| OR: 80| CD

6/1

Tough sort who was the only one to see out the trip in heavy ground at Salisbury. Did not look well-handicapped that day and a further 6lb rise makes her opposable as does her record in this grade.

Form: 1210-81

(9)

Nightingale Valley²⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: M Dwyer| T: W S Kittow| OR: 79

20/1

Disappointing on her last start over last season (in August) and hasn't been seen since. Has the lay-off to overcome and would likely prefer a sounder surface.

Form: 8/15220-

(4)

Outer Space^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 79| D

18/1

Better on AW tracks than turf and he has been pulled out previously when conditions have been soft. Met trouble last time and a 3lb drop will look more generous if underfoot conditions improve.

Form: 113486

(5)

Operative¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: E De Giles| OR: 78

6/1

On a fair mark currently and he has done well to avoid a rise in the weights following an improved run last time. Shapes as though he should stay this far.

Form: 2119-02

(3)

Hedging^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 74| BF| CD

7/2

Happy enough at this trip and on soft ground. Disappointing last time but the cheekpieces are refitted. Has been well-supported ahead of his four victories.

Form: 4156-15

(7)

Wahaab^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Jack Osborn⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 68| CD

20/1

Returns to a trip which yielded two successes in 2017 and he is now just 1lb higher than his last win. His best form has come in lower grades but he does handle soft ground.

Form: 497-688

Non-Runners

(2)

Archie¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 6

T: R Spencer J: Rhiain Ingram

(8)

Alqalsar²⁴

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: J M Bradley J: E J Walsh

Forecasts

Fox Trotter (10/3), Hedging (7/2), Berkshire Boy (4/1), Operative (6/1), Here's Two (6/1), Sir Billy Wright (10/1), Archie (14/1), Outer Space (18/1), Wahaab (20/1), Nightingale Valley (20/1), Alqalsar (50/1)

A chance is taken that the visor will have a positive effect on BERKSHIRE BOY who is on the same mark as when beating similar company here last year on soft ground. Operative is up to a trip which looks likely to suit, but Fox Trotter may need a stiffer test. Hedging should step up on his last run with the cheekpieces refitted, whilst Sir Billy Wright goes well fresh and can go close despite topweight.