15:20 Chepstow

Wednesday 21 November 2018

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:4515:2015:55

Clarion Defence & Security Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 12.60s

Flaming Charmer^t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| CD

17/2

Form tailed off as last season progressed, but he is back down to a fair mark and some promise on his Sandown return. Took this 12 months ago with a similar preparation and just 1lb higher with same rider on board.

Form: 14545-5

Pop Rockstar^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

15/2

Couple of easy hurdle wins at Haydock and Wetherby in December on testing ground over 3m prompted handicapper to take control. Shaped well on chase debut and not long before he makes his mark in this sphere.

Form: 21176-5

Oxwich Bay¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 119

11/4

Bumper/hurdles winner looked a threat here on chase debut until lack of fitness told.. Has that important fitness advantage and experience of these fences. Stable have been quiet but that run two weeks ago suggested he would not be long in winning.

Form: 1F2P4-4

Atirelarigo⁵⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119| CD

4/1

Scored over these fences almost two years ago off an identical mark. Failed to complete his next two chase starts but subsequently scored over hurdles. Well-handicapped if the market confirms he is fit and ready.

Form: U1FF13/

The Kings Writ²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Best| T: K Woollacott| OR: 118

12/1

Dual winning point-to-pointer last season who was impressive in beating Alberto's Dream (winner of his four previous starts) at Exeter (3m) in April. Absent since and this may be an insufficient test.

Form: 11F221-

I See You Well³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117

17/2

Took advantage of a good mark to score at Fontwell and is still 3lb below his rating when successful over hurdles. Will strip fitter for a recent outing over the smaller obstacles..

Form: 75-5145

Stage Summit¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 117| BF

5/1

Irish bumper winner who proved disappointing over hurdles and whose jumping left plenty to be desired on chase debut.

Form: 1253-05

Beallandendall¹⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: D Faulkner| OR: 107| C

16/1

Has a good record over these fences. Regular rider on board but work to do off this mark against fitter rivals.

Form: 21122-2

Modeligo^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 107| CD

25/1

Looks held on form by Beallandendall and never a threat on recent Warwick run. Stable have gone 51 runners and 177 days without a winner.

Form: 832556

Sideways¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: Christian Williams| OR: 102

33/1

Irish point-to-point winner who showed some promise for David Dennis. However, has a bit to prove after being tailed off on stable debut after a long absence last time.

Form: 1442/30

Precious Ground⁶⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: C Gethings| T: K Bishop| OR: 95

50/1

Rated higher than this when last seen two years ago. Looks sure to need this on return and with stable having gone 53 runners and 329 days without a winner.

Form: 3P3334/

Non-Runners

Vivaccio²¹¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: Miss V Williams J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Oxwich Bay (11/4), Atirelarigo (4/1), Stage Summit (5/1), Pop Rockstar (15/2), Flaming Charmer (17/2), I See You Well (17/2), Vivaccio (10/1), The Kings Writ (12/1), Beallandendall (16/1), Modeligo (25/1), Sideways (33/1), Precious Ground (50/1)

FLAMING CHARMER has a lot in his favour as he bids to repeat the formula that brought a success in this contest 12 months ago. He beat another Hobbs horse on that occasion and another, Atirelarigo, rates a danger here if fit on his return from a spell on the sidelines. The Kings Writ is unexposed but having won over 3m at Exeter this may not be enough of a test. Course specialist Beallandendall meets fitter rivals but his record here earns respect, whilst Vivaccio has been given a chance by the handicapper but rain would not help his chances. Oxwich Bay shaped well on his return here and would be expected to go close if building on that effort.