16:35 Chepstow

Sunday 14 October 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Fergal O'Brien Racing Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 3m 57.00s

Ballymoy¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139| D

6/4

3-4 over hurdles and improved throughout last season, concluding with win in £1000,000 Sandown handicap hurdle. Starts this term on 7lb higher mark but remains on the upgrade and should go well.

Form: 335111-

I'm A Game Changer¹⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| D

3/1

Progressive form last two seasons and only narrowly beaten over 2m3f when last seen in May. Looks handicapped to the hilt but is respected for top team.

Form: 4/6519-2

Vado Forte^h¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 129| D

6/1

Not out of the first two in his last five starts, winning three times including on final outing at Plumpton in April. Starts new season on 3lb higher mark but bold show cannot be ruled out if picking up where he left off last term.

Form: 821211-

Not That Fuisse¹⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

7/1

Lightly raced and has won 3-6 to date. Still unexposed and though appears on face of it to have something to find, he may well improve this term for top team. Interesting contender.

Form: 1/P24-11

Honest Vic¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 122| D

4/1

1-5 over hurdles but has run well in defeat including over longer trips. Drop back to minimum distance shouldn't be an issue but has tended to need a run to reach peak in the past so may be best watched this time.

Form: 16155-6

Non-Runners

Whatmore¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: H D Daly J: Non Runner

Zalvados¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: W T Kennedy

Scheu Time¹²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: J Nash J: Aidan Coleman

Lovato¹¹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Red Hot Chilly¹¹

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Ballymoy (6/4), I'm A Game Changer (3/1), Honest Vic (4/1), Vado Forte (6/1), Not That Fuisse (7/1), Lovato (15/2), Whatmore (10/1), Red Hot Chilly (11/1), Zalvados (11/1), Scheu Time (20/1)

A really well contested two-mile handicap hurdle in which a narrow vote goes to LOVATO who represnts a trainer-jockey combination in fine form of late and appears to be on the upgrade. Top weight Ballymoy is a class act who is very much feared having been really progressive last term. He should make life tough for the selection, while Whatmore and Vado Forte are both going the right way and can be expected to be in the thick of the action. Zalvados goes well fresh so has claims, and Not That Fuisse, a potential dark horse representing a fine yard, is one to note in the betting market for any confidence.