14:10 Chepstow

Thursday 27 December 2018

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

'The Smart Money's On Coral' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 1.90s

Henryville^t¹⁹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 140

40/1

Decent handicap chaser but hasn't won over timber for four years. 9lb lower than last hurdles start when well beaten at Newton Abbot 15 months ago so has it to do unless market suggests otherwise.

Form: U0P-F06

Shannon Bridge^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

12/1

Beaten a short-head in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster last campaign and switches back to smaller obstacles having failed to impress in two novice chases so far this term. Fairly handicapped if enthusiasm remains undimmed.

Form: 22P0-35

Truckers Lodge^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| CD

11/4

2-4 this season and won easily over C&D last time out but has incurred a 13lb rise in the weights. Set to run another big race but may be vulnerable off new mark.

Form: 42-1441

Jeannot De Nonant^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 132| D

20/1

Won over fences at Cartmel in May but has shown little in two outings over hurdles so far this term. 3lb lower than when last of eight at Southwell latest and appears to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 00-1358

Buckle Street^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: M Keighley| OR: 128| D

14/1

In-and-out performer who disgraced himself when refusing to race last time out. Won over 12lb lower mark at Doncaster in February but supporters must take a leap of faith given latest refusal.

Form: 0-R546R

Anteros^t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 126| C

14/1

Two years since he won a listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham. May have found heavy ground too much for him over C&D last time but entering veteran stage now and unlikely to be getting better.

Form: 56-34F6

Vinnie Lewis²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 125| BF| D

7/1

Has won at up to 3m4f over fences so no stamina issues, and has been in decent form this autumn winning novice hurdle at Southwell then finishing second at Ayr last time when odds-on. Eased 2lb and any rain would help the cause.

Form: 11P-312

Another Emotion¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

3/1

Won Ffos Las 2m4f nov hurdle on heavy ground in April and reappeared with a sound effort when second on handicap bow at Sandown earlier this month. 3lb higher but going the right way and should be thereabouts.

Form: U2/21-2

Virginia Chick²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123| C| D

9/2

Progressive hurdler who has won four of his last six starts and was decent fourth in Newbury event over this trip last time. Runs off same mark for regular lady amateur partner.

Form: 11121-4

Looks Like Power^h,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 122| CD

12/1

Moving up the weights over fences where he is 2-3 at this track. Connections switch to hurdles where he is 5lb lower and has claims if fencing hasn't taken the edge off him. Good 3lb conditional rider on board.

Form: 23141-4

Forecasts

Truckers Lodge (11/4), Another Emotion (3/1), Virginia Chick (9/2), Vinnie Lewis (7/1), Looks Like Power (12/1), Shannon Bridge (12/1), Anteros (14/1), Buckle Street (14/1), Jeannot De Nonant (20/1), Henryville (40/1)

VINNIE LEWIS is marginally preferred to Truckers Lodge in what appears a tightly knit handicap. The selection stays really well and is at the right end of the weights. Truckers Lodge has been hit hard by the handicapper for his latest win but is clearly going the right way and should give another good account of himself. Another Emotion and Virginia Chick also arrive here in good form and won't be far away either on recent evidence.