13:05 Chepstow

Thursday 27 December 2018

All12:3013:0513:3514:1014:5015:2515:55

Download The Coral App Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 56.2s

Beggar's Wishes^b,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 149

25/1

Won two fair handicap chases at end of last season and scored on first outing this campaign at Newton Abbot. Found wanting in better company last two starts but has eased a touch in weights and not totally out of it.

Form: 21-1149

Top Gamble¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 146

9/1

Won two Grade 2's in 2016 and was third in last season's Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival off 3lb higher than today. Early faller at Cheltenham two weeks ago but a player if none the worse for that.

Form: 4438-4F

Le Rocher³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 144| C

6/1

Not easy to assess after tackling two hot French hurdle races of late, finishing good runne-rup at Auteuil in Grade 1 last time. Chase form not quite as strong but should handle conditions.

Form: 13B-352

Templehills^h²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

20/1

6lb higher than last winning mark and ran below par when pulled up at Newcastle last time in 3m listed handicap chase. Needs to bounce back to figure but shorter trip may help.

Form: 1-414FP

King's Odyssey²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 140| BF

6/1

Eased 1lb after falling when held late on at Newbury last time. A consistent and reliable sort for most part and may not be far away if he puts in a clear round.

Form: 3333-2F

Grand Vision²⁵⁹

12/1

Goes well in testing ground. Scored at LIngfield and Wincanton last term and finished 6th in Cheltenham Foxhunters before falling when in touch in Foxhunters at Aintree. Returns following wind op and may be better for the outing.

Form: 0/1216F-

Calipto⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135| D

7/1

Impressive winner of Carlisle handicap chase in March but hasn't really fired in two starts so far this season. Still 6lb higher than last winning mark and ground plenty soft enough as well.

Form: 5551-U5

Doitforthevillage^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 133| D

7/1

Won Cheltenham 2m handicap chase 12 months ago off 2lb higher mark buit has run with credit at this distance in the past. Fair third at Newbury last time but place may be the best he can hope for.

Form: 4264-63

Dusky Lark^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 130

17/2

Approaching two years since his last win but ran well enough when runner-up at Exeter last time off 2lb lower mark. Decent display quite possible but doesn't appear obviously well handicapped.

Form: 334U-62

Touch Kick^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| BF| D

9/2

Potential improver who won well on seasonal return at Hereford and was fair second at Newbury last time off this mark. Would prefer slightly better ground so any rain would be a concern but has to enter calculations nonetheless.

Form: 6/713-12

Full Irish^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: James Bowen| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 129

10/1

Stays well and won over nearly 3m in heavy ground at Lingfield last season so this may be a little sharp for him. Of more concern is him pulling up on both starts this term so is hard to enthuse over.

Form: 145P-PR

Forecasts

Touch Kick (9/2), Le Rocher (6/1), King's Odyssey (6/1), Doitforthevillage (7/1), Calipto (7/1), Dusky Lark (17/2), Top Gamble (9/1), Full Irish (10/1), Grand Vision (12/1), Templehills (20/1), Beggar's Wishes (25/1)

A wide open handicap chase may offer an opportunity for the likeable TOP GAMBLE to return to the winners enclosure. Both trip and ground suit and he is on a fair mark if able to recapture some old form. Among a number of horses with live chances are Le Rocher, King's Odyssey and Doitforthevillage, while if the rain stays away Touch Kick wouldn't be far away either.