14:50 Chepstow

Thursday 23 August 2018

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Casino At bet365 Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 1m 23.27s

(8)

Sarangoo⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: L Morris| T: M S Saunders| OR: 63| CD

14/1

Has a couple of wins at the track to her name, and this trip seems to suit her better than shorter these days, but her form has an uneven look to it and she's not scored for getting on two years. Others preferred.

Form: 8-72786

(10)

Stringybark Creek¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 63| BF| D

3/1

Remains in good form after a couple of wins and third at Wolverhampton, but new high mark has kicked in now and this track/trip may not play to his strengths. Clearly in good heart but possibly vulnerable here.

Form: 534113

(9)

The Groove⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 61| BF

6/5

Looked to have the race in the bag at Ffos Las last time out before getting tired late and was picked off close to home. This drop back a furlong looks a good idea, then, and from same mark, every chance of going one better.

Form: 080632

(4)

Conflagration²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: M Harley| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 66| D

8/1

Looked to be going places when winning at Leicester two starts back before a dreadful effort last time out. Possible the softer ground was to blame there so if the rain stays away, may get back on track, and would have every chance.

Form: 80-6310

(2)

Pesky Wabbitt^t⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: M Dwyer| T: R Spencer| OR: 65

25/1

His midfield effort at Windsor in April hinted at better to come but was a bitter disappointment on handicap debut at Lingfield last time. Has had a break, which may help, and may be better to come. Market may be best guide.

Form: 8060

(5)

Alqalsar^p1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁵⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 59

50/1

Regressing quickly if the form of his four starts this season are anything to go by, and the application of cheekpieces today looks more in hope than anything.

Form: 22-8059

(6)

It's Not Unusual^p,t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: A Watson| OR: 64

9/1

Not disgraced on any of her five starts but neither has she looked a winner in waiting. Tongue tie added to the cheekpieces tried last time and that could have a positive effect. Yard in great form too, so a better run no surprise.

Form: 455-94

(1)

Corporal Maddox^p,h⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 55| CD

20/1

Best days well behind him now and although there's the odd run this season to suggest there might be a race in him, it's unlikely to be this one.

Form: 4-50689

(7)

Smart Mover^p⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 45| D

25/1

Well over two years since the last time she visited the winners enclosure but has finished within shouting distance of the winner on her last four starts (including over C&D last time) and has place chances.

Form: 045-483

(11)

Cruel Clever Cat¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 45

12/1

No win and just the one place in 12 starts, not beaten far on either of her last two starts at Brighton but needs a step forward on what she's achieved so far if she's to get involved.

Form: 077834

Non-Runners

(3)

Snooker Jim¹²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: Steph Hollinshead J: Toby Eley

Forecasts

The Groove (6/5), Stringybark Creek (3/1), Conflagration (8/1), It's Not Unusual (9/1), Cruel Clever Cat (12/1), Sarangoo (14/1), Corporal Maddox (20/1), Snooker Jim (20/1), Smart Mover (25/1), Pesky Wabbitt (25/1), Alqalsar (50/1)

In a winnable event, a chance is taken that Archie Watson's good stable form will rub off on IT'S NOT UNUSUAL, who has shown enough to think there's a race or two in her and the addition of the tongue-tie here may just be what she needs to help her finishing effort. She really wouldn't need to improve a lot to take this, and is worth chancing. Smart Mover is running with some consistency and can take a medal home, and both The Groove and Conflagration have place chances too.