16:45 Chepstow

Saturday 13 October 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Chepstow Contract Rentals 10 Year Anniversary Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 44.80s

Golden Birthday^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 144| D

33/1

Useful over hurdles and won two novice chases before his progress halted at Uttoxeter last month. Looks to have a stiff task returned to hurdling.

Form: 11-211P

Louis' Vac Pouch^h¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143

25/1

Looked good when winning at Aintree last November, but flopped off a much higher mark on two subsequent runs in more competitive company. Stable in better form now, but looks to have a tough assignment at the weights.

Form: 11/6100-

River Frost²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 143

12/1

Staying-on fifth in this race last year, but failed to kick on in two subsequent starts. May do better back at this venue, but has a bit to prove.

Form: F19/5P0-

Captain Cattistock^t¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

7/1

Quite a progressive sort last season, rounding off his campaign with a decent effort at Cheltenham. On a stiff enough mark back in handicap company, but remains open to improvement with so few miles on the clock.

Form: 411414-

Dashing Oscar^t¹³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 138| D

20/1

Not seen out since finishing down the field on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter in May. Earlier Sandown hurdling display off 1lb higher was acceptable, but others look more leniently treated.

Form: 9/1104-5

Theclockisticking¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 137| BF

9/2

Dual winner and several other good efforts last season. Runner-up, albeit at a respectful distance, in a Listed contest last time, and has solid each-way claims given his consistent record.

Form: 1332-42

Azzerti¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 136| BF

14/1

Not at his best on chasing debut at Worcester in June, but had earlier run really well to be second in a 22-runner handicap hurdle at Cheltenham. Competes off the same mark and further rain would help.

Form: 43172-4

Point Of Principle¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 135| BF| D

25/1

Showed a willing attitude to beat a well-regarded rival at Ascot last season, but failed to match that level of performance in two subsequent starts, latterly when favourite over C&D. Needs to bounce back

Form: 242175-

Le Patriote^p²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 135| D

15/2

Landed an Ascot handicap in February, but was pulled up off 8lb higher in the Imperial Cup at Sandown when last seen in March. Has been given time to recover and shrewd stable can get one ready to win after a break.

Form: 89741P-

Whatmore¹⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 134

16/1

Scoring for the third time over hurdles when successful in a novice event at Warwick in March. Has to cope with a career-high mark after a break, but stable is in good form.

Form: 114681-

Garo De Juilley^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 134| D

25/1

Fair efforts in last two of three starts since joining current trainer from Paul Nicholls. Remains high enough in the handicap, however.

Form: 33F-224

Sneaky Feeling³³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

11/2

Miles behind Bags Groove at Aintree and Kempton last year, but had previously bolted up in a three-runner Sandown novice hurdle. Hard to know what to expect, but is down 3lb and could have much more to offer with stable back on song.

Form: 3181/07-

Chic Name^h¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 132

66/1

Creditable fifth of 16 in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Scored over an extended 3m6f when last seen at Perth in April and this return to hurdling over a much shorter trip is not really what he needs.

Form: 17/35P1-

Dans Le Vent¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 132| D

10/1

Stamina seemed to give out when sixth of 13 in Grade 1 company over 3m at Aintree in the spring. Earlier form gives him a chance off this mark and any softening of the ground would not be a problem

Form: 215326-

Court Minstrel⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 131| CD

7/1

Second victory in this valuable race when scoring off 11lb higher last year. Not getting any younger, however, and recent efforts suggest a third success is likely to prove beyond him.

Form: 380-007

Master Dancer^p⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 130| C

25/1

Not at his best on the Flat in August and needs to return to the form of his hurdling win last autumn to figure. Handicap mark is a cause for concern.

Form: 120/147-

Castafiore^p,h¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 128

50/1

Handicap wins at Doncaster and Uttoxeter last season, but is significantly higher in the weights. Won't mind any rain, but has not run since March.

Form: 312186-

Zalvados^t¹⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128

14/1

One or two fair efforts last season, including when seventh of 24 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Runs off 1lb lower and is worth a second glance with cut in the ground not an issue.

Form: 242172-

Forecasts

Theclockisticking (9/2), Sneaky Feeling (11/2), Captain Cattistock (7/1), Court Minstrel (7/1), Le Patriote (15/2), Dans Le Vent (10/1), River Frost (12/1), Azzerti (14/1), Zalvados (14/1), Whatmore (16/1), Dashing Oscar (20/1), Garo De Juilley (25/1), Point Of Principle (25/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (25/1), Master Dancer (25/1), Golden Birthday (33/1), Castafiore (50/1), Chic Name (66/1)

Holes can be picked in most of these and plenty will depend on how much of the forecast rain softens the ground. Every pound could prove crucial so it may be worth taking a chance with bottom-weight ZALVADOS, whose run in the Betfair Hurdle off 1lb higher reads well. He enjoys plenty of cut, a remark which also applies to Castafiore, who may not be quite so leniently weighted. A host of dangers are headed by Captain Cattistock, Theclockisticking and Le Patriote.