14:45 Chepstow

Friday 18 January 2019

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Purple Pine Creative Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 6m 15.30s

De Rasher Counter²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 139| D

12/1

Decent novice hurdler last season and is going the same way over fences. Got the better of the tussle with a potentially smart sort at Newbury last time, where the third was 21L behind. Needs improvement under his penalty, but much respected.

Form: 72-3P71

Steely Addition⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 150| CD

7/2

Decent novice over hurdles last season, but looking even better over fences. Smart performance to win over C&D (heavy) last month. Won't mind the forecast drier ground, and has very solid claims under his penalty.

Form: F118-31

Captain Cattistock^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

6/1

Has won three of his eight starts, all successes being on testing ground at Wincanton. Form over hurdles was decent, though beginning to plateau, but could kick on again now going chasing. Ought to acquit himself well.

Form: 1414-6F

Chef Des Obeaux³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149| BF

9/4

Wide margin winner of a Grade 2 novices' hurdle (2m7f, heavy) 11-months ago, before the wheels came off in two further Grade 1 events. Beaten favourite, but not without promise, on chase debut. Step back up in trip should suit. Should go well.

Form: 111PP-3

Forza Milan³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| C

14/1

Scored here over hurdles (2m3½f, soft) almost two years ago. Was making into a decent handicap hurdler last season (stayed 3m), but was pulled up in the Pertemps Final on his final start, and well held on chase debut last month. Bit to prove.

Form: 1/622P-0

Herefordshire³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| D

100/1

Well beaten in his sole chase run for Kerry Lee in November 2016, and last month's reappearance after more than two years off was even worse. Can only watch.

Form: 215/6

Johanos³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125

25/1

His 5¾L second to Lalor in a Wincanton bumper two seasons ago looks better now, while he went on to win twice over hurdles later that season himself. Made respectable chase debut last month after over a year off and he should step up on that.

Form: 35311/4

Now Mcginty^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 142

3/1

Dual Warwick handicap hurdle winner (both 2m5f, soft) last March, who finished last season rated 135 in the discipline. Looks a decent recruit to chasing. Needs to improve on his two completed efforts, but should not be far away.

Form: 112-2U2

Tobefair^t1³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 130| CD

16/1

Won seven off the reel over hurdles from June 2015 to February 2017, but has faced tough tasks as a result since then, in seven more runs without adding to that. First-time tongue-tie might help, but needs to step up on recent chase efforts.

Form: 493-849

Zero Grand^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Farrelly

25/1

Dual hurdles winner at up to 3m1½f in early 2017, but has not made any impact since., including on his recent comeback after wind surgery. Can only watch on this chase debut in a tough race.

Form: 1/7PU7-8

Forecasts

Chef Des Obeaux (9/4), Now Mcginty (3/1), Steely Addition (7/2), Captain Cattistock (6/1), De Rasher Counter (12/1), Forza Milan (14/1), Tobefair (16/1), Zero Grand (25/1), Johanos (25/1), Herefordshire (100/1)

There was plenty to like about how De Rasher Counter saw out his success at Newbury last time, and he could have a fair bit more to come. However, the similarly-penalised STEELY ADDITION already looked smart in scoring over C&D last time and is taken to repeat the feat. Chef Des Obeaux is nicely treated at these weights with the selection, but he was a shade disappointing on his chase debut, so needs to better that. Captain Cattistock and Now Mcginty are the others who make most appeal.