15:10 Chepstow

Wednesday 7 November 2018

All12:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:4016:15

Holt JCB Ltd Supporting Velindre Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 4m 16.8s

Otter Moon²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 125

28/1

Steady improver over hurdles last season with two wins to his name; the last a handicap off a mark of 124. Finished well held on his chasing debut (may well have needed the run) and looks as though going right-handed suits him far better.

Form: 5331-83

Rainy Day Dylan^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122

20/1

Given a mark 8lb higher than his last winning hurdles one after facing a stiff task on his chasing debut in September. Was given a considerate introduction though after he was left behind from halfway and may do better now.

Form: 81421-3

The Dubai Way²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 122| D

11/1

Has experience over fences as he is an Irish point-to-point winner who won his first four races under Rules (bumper and three hurdles). Well held on his chasing debut (conditions may have been too quick); worth another chance.

Form: 11118-4

Early Du Lemo²²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| BF

10/1

Winner of a juvenile hurdle on his 2nd start in France and still unexposed for this yard having been faced with some fairly stiff tasks over hurdles. Now goes chasing for the first time and one to watch for a market move given his profile.

Form: 133/25-

Awake At Midnight²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121| D

9/2

Struggled to get off the mark over hurdles last year when the yard was under a cloud but made the most of his experience to score on his seasonal return at Worcester. Now goes chasing for the first time and looks a likely sort fir this sphere.

Form: 23237-1

Marley Firth¹⁹⁹

8/1

A winner in point-to-points he looked potentially useful when winning on his Rules debut here last year. Never quite went on from that run displaying an inconsistent profile but now returns from wind surgery for a yard that continues to shine.

Form: 146355-

Oxwich Bay²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120

13/2

A bumper and hurdles winner his form looked to have gone off the boil when last seen and he returns from a break with something to prove on his debut over fences. Beaten off lower marks than this over hurdles he doesn't look that well weighted.

Form: 21F2P4-

Cesar Et Rosalie^t³²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118| D

16/1

Dual hurdles winner who ran well behind a well handicapped type off a 2lb higher mark at Bangor in August 2017 before twice disappointing. Returns from a long break making his chasing debut and looks best watched for now.

Form: 12/1267-

Enola Gay¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| D

9/1

Has some chasing experience having been sent over the larger obstacles straight after his novice hurdle win late last year. Should have done better in those two chase starts; well held when last seen (over hurdles); something to prove for now.

Form: 201220-

Llancillo Lord³²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: R Walford| OR: 117| D

66/1

Useful sort over hurdles in Ireland when trained by Thomas Mullins (won a 2m handicap at Naas); has shown little for his current yard in two starts over fences. Reported to have bled on his chasing debut and poor when last seen; returns from a break.

Form: 5412/3P-

Balibour¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 117

6/1

Progressed nicely over hurdles despite not winning a race and ran with a great deal of credit on his chasing debut; finished 3rd to two race-fit rivals. Left on the same mark (117) from that run he's open to improvement here; sound chance.

Form: 53320-3

Floresco^p,t¹⁷¹

33/1

Appeared to take to fences better on his second attempt over them than he did on his first at Stratford in May. Has now had a wind op and his hurdles form entitles him to respect off this mark if he can show some more progress now.

Form: 45/540-4

Doc Carver²¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115

20/1

Winner in point-to-points who appears to have been rather unnerved by a hurdles fall on his handicap debut. Beaten a long way out and pulled up when last seen; not an obvious candidate to be rejuvenated by a chasing debut.

Form: 522F4P-

Dalaman³¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| CD

25/1

Appeared to benefit from a change of trainer taking three out of his first four races for his new handler over hurdles late last year the winning run starting here over 2m. Now tries his hand over fences for the first time off a career-high mark.

Form: 48/1121-

Another Crick¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 110

20/1

Yet to win a race and his progress looks to have rather stalled over hurdles and even gave a hint of temperament when he was last seen. Now tried over fences on his return to action but looks one of the lesser lights in this.

Form: 24235-8

Glen Rocco³⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 109

14/1

Has a point-to-point background (off the mark at the 2nd attempt in that sphere) so this may well suit him much better than running over hurdles. Now makes his chase/handicap debut under Rules; may need further but interesting sort.

Form: P1/653-

Forecasts

Awake At Midnight (9/2), Balibour (6/1), Oxwich Bay (13/2), Marley Firth (8/1), Enola Gay (9/1), Early Du Lemo (10/1), The Dubai Way (11/1), Glen Rocco (14/1), Cesar Et Rosalie (16/1), Another Crick (20/1), Doc Carver (20/1), Rainy Day Dylan (20/1), Dalaman (25/1), Otter Moon (28/1), Floresco (33/1), Llancillo Lord (66/1)

Some interesting types and a nice balance between the newcomers over fences and the debutantes in this sphere. The Neil Mulholland duo – Rainy Day Dylan and Dalaman are sure to attract some interest particularly the latter who was on a roll over hurdles when last seen. The Dubai Way was expected to be better in this sphere and will surely perform better on this softer surface than he faced on his chase debut. Early Du Lemo and Marley Firth are two that are unexposed but it was the first run over fences of BALIBOUR that took the eye and he could well progress here for a yard that has started the season well. Glen Rocco is interesting at a bigger price.