17:10 Chepstow

Sunday 14 October 2018

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

John Ayres Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 52.0s

Charbel³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 154

5/1

Very useful chaser who should strip fitter for his comeback run at Perth last month. Ended las term falling when in touch in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and sets a very good standard in this event.

Form: F3/44F-3

Art Mauresque¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

7/1

Stable landed this race 12 months ago and this gelding won the race two years ago when beating the smart Double Shuffle. 1lb lower this time and goes well fresh so has obvious claims.

Form: 7P/F242-

Garde La Victoire²¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 149| D

4/1

Classy chaser at best but wasn't firing on all cyclinders in just three starts last term. Starts this season 7lb lower than last and often goes well fresh so definitely worthy of serious consideration.

Form: 318/240-

Barney Dwan¹⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N D Fehily| T: F O'Brien| OR: 143| BF| D

5/1

Made decent transition to fences last term winning two novice chases and was fourth in listed handicap at Cheltenham Festival. Usually needs a run or two to reach his peak so may best watched on this occasion in a hot race.

Form: 7/3114F-

Baron Alco⁵⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 142| D

4/1

Talented 2016/17 novice chaser finishing second in Grade 1 at Sandown to Top Notch before running another cracker when second in Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival. Missed all of last term and runs off 4lb lower mark. Goes well fresh.

Form: 312122/

Marracudja^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

20/1

Has threatened to win more than he has, and moved from Paul Nicholls to current yard this summer. Hasn't shone in two starts so far for new stable and despite 2lb drop doesn't make much appeal in current form.

Form: 51U-467

Shanahan's Turn^t¹⁷²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| BF

16/1

2015 Galway Plate winner for Henry de Bromhead and joined current yard two years ago. Has been difficult to keep sound but ran a blinder when second in Topham Trophy at Aintree in April before disappointing at Punchestown. Worth a market check.

Form: 70/892P-

Ballyhill¹⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

6/1

Won Grade 3 handicap chase in heavy ground at Cheltenham in January off 133. Just 1lb higher now and chance would be enhanced if the ground eases further as he revels in the mud.

Form: 5F109P-

Chirico Vallis^h,t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128

10/1

Fair novice chaser last term winning two minor events but this looks a much stiffer stask. Despite receiving plenty of weight he may struggle at this level.

Form: 1F1F2-3

Non-Runners

Le Rocher²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: Nick Williams J: Non Runner

Lord Du Mesnil¹⁸⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: R Hobson J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Baron Alco (4/1), Garde La Victoire (4/1), Charbel (5/1), Barney Dwan (5/1), Ballyhill (6/1), Art Mauresque (7/1), Le Rocher (8/1), Chirico Vallis (10/1), Shanahan's Turn (16/1), Marracudja (20/1), Lord Du Mesnil (20/1)

A terrific race, and in the hope that the forecast rain eases the ground sufficiently LE ROCHER is the choice in receipt of weight from the three smart performers above him in the handicap. He revels in testing ground. Charbel is a class act and would have a major chance if the rain stays away, while Art Mauresque should go close in a race his yard has won for the last two years. Garde Le Victoire is well handicapped on the pick of his form, and Baron Alco is worth a glance on his return from injury. He is potentially well in if fit enough to do himself justice.