15:10 Stratford

Thursday 23 August 2018

All13:3014:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Sheppard Family Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 28.50s

Pawn Star⁴⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 129| C| D

10/1

Has already established a very consistent chase record winning half of his starts and saw off five rivals at Market Rasen when last seen winning in fine style. Now back from a break off a 6lb higher mark he's worth noting in the market.

Form: 13132/1-

Royal Village³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 129| D

3/1

A winner in bumpers and over hurdles for Philip Hobbs he struck over fences at the first-time of asking on his 3rd start for this yard gaining a (controversial) dead-heat at Market Rasen. Up 4lb for that "win" he's sure to run well again here.

Form: 1/15-441

Seefood^b³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| D

6/1

Useful in his prime he looks as though he's been hard to train of late and his most recent effort in the Summer Plate (Market Rasen) saw him finish well beaten. Comes here with plenty to prove although this is easier.

Form: 5126F/0

Bestwork⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126| C| D

5/1

An upwardly mobile sort last year when he won five times he added to that score last time when taking a handicap chase at Worcester (under a typically positive ride). Despite his victories he's not sure to reproduce that form; raised 6lb now.

Form: P51-P31

Aunty Ann²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125| D

8/1

Consistent sort who gained a reward for that trait when winning at Uttoxeter last time although that race rather fell apart late on and the form may not be that strong. Given a 9lb rise and that looks a little harsh in context.

Form: 135-321

Altiepix^h1,t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 123| C| D

33/1

Has ability but is a rather hit-and-miss type who often fails to deliver what he promises. Pulled-up here last month and given that run and his overall CV he's hard to have any confidence in.

Form: 3P7P-3P

The Fresh Prince¹⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123

7/1

A drop back to his last winning mark (118) and a recent wind op appeared to work the oracle last time when he made all at Plumpton in May. Looked less quirky than has been the case in the past; up 5lb and not discounted.

Form: 22/P46-1

Dr Robin^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| D

8/1

Struggling for form since winning last summer over fences he's been hurdling of late in a bid to revitalise him. That doesn't really appear to have worked and he's one of the more unlikely sorts here.

Form: 7P-8460

Mr Shantu^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112| D

10/1

Little to like about his most recent effort and rather looks to have lost his way for now and fared no better for a break last time. Plenty to prove and has a difficult task in this.

Form: 6694P-P

Forecasts

Royal Village (3/1), Bestwork (5/1), Seefood (6/1), The Fresh Prince (7/1), Aunty Ann (8/1), Dr Robin (8/1), Pawn Star (10/1), Mr Shantu (10/1), Altiepix (33/1)

The consistency of Pawn Star can’t be faulted but he may just need this run coming back from a long absence and the market will be the best guide to his chance. Aunty Ann looks to have paid rather harshly for her win last time in what appears to have been a weak race and Bestwork isn’t sure to get the easy leads he usually craves here. With The Fresh Prince also returning from a break this looks best left to ROYAL VILLAGE who dead-heated last time and the wind op appears to have worked the oracle for him.