15:40 Chepstow

Saturday 23 February 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Pertemps Network Opportunities Around The Corner Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 59.10s

Tommy Rapper^t⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

10/1

Three-time hurdles winner last season from 2m4½f-2m7f on testing ground. Has run well enough in two chase starts this term without winning, and no forlorn hope back in this sphere. Perhaps would benefit from seeing some rain.

Form: 1119-34

El Bandit⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

17/2

Spent 543 days on the sidelines after a winning chase bow at Warwick (3m1½f, good) in May 2017 and pulled up both starts this term. Needs to rediscover his best back over hurdles (yard in form) but can be opposed for now.

Form: 710/1-PP

Kapcorse⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

5/1

In rude health having backed up Newton Abbot chase win with easy success in Wincanton novice hurdle (2m5½f, good) last month. Shapes as though this longer trip won't be a problem and major player for in-form Paul Nicholls yard.

Form: 761-711

Looksnowtlikebrian^t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 133| C| D

20/1

Useful chaser (4-7), was pulled up here in the Welsh National at Christmas. In good heart prior to that but this demands a career-best back over hurdles from current rating.

Form: 116-11P

Tobefair³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 132| CD

20/1

Seven-time hurdles winner, hasn't really taken to fences and pulled up at this track (2m7f, good to soft) last month. Fairly-handicapped back over timber.

Form: 93-849P

Samburu Shujaa³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| CD

5/4

Had previously shown promise before dotting up over C&D (good to soft) last month, making every yard to win a maiden hurdle. Should have a say once more, though this is plenty tougher.

Form: 4-02521

Arctic Gold⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

33/1

Five-time hurdles winner, though not since 2016. Lost his way of late over fences and no turnaround latest despite a wind operation. Opposable.

Form: 8F-2557

Jetstream Jack^p1⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 125| D

66/1

Won four times in Ireland for Gordon Elliott (two over hurdles) and has a big chance if anywhere near old form. Ran poor race in Market Rasen seller (2m½f, soft) in December on second outing for this handler. Cheekpieces added, hard to trust.

Form: F/0P5-P4

Diger Daudaie^t1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125| D

11/1

Point-to-point winner, scored in 2m6f Newcastle novice contest in December, though since well held under a penalty at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month. Tongue-tie added and remains open to further progress.

Form: 1-514

Wicked Willy^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124| D

8/1

Has made the frame in three starts this term under today's claiming rider, likely will run his race once more but remains vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: FP-5333

Sandymount³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 123

20/1

Entitled to have needed the run at Wincanton last month on the back of 18-month absence. Has a clear chance from this mark if able to recapture form shown prior to that layoff and is lightly raced for his age.

Form: 48/172-8

Non-Runners

Boyhood¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: T R George J: Mr N George

Lord Of The Island¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 11

T: F O'Brien J: Mr S A Morgan

Forecasts

Samburu Shujaa (5/4), Kapcorse (5/1), Boyhood (11/2), Wicked Willy (8/1), El Bandit (17/2), Tommy Rapper (10/1), Diger Daudaie (11/1), Tobefair (20/1), Looksnowtlikebrian (20/1), Sandymount (20/1), Lord Of The Island (25/1), Arctic Gold (33/1), Jetstream Jack (66/1)

C&D maiden winner Samburu Shujaa hosed up for an easy win last month but was given a very handy lead out in front, something that is unlikely to be afforded now. It would be preferable therefore to see him doing it a second time. Kapcorse has won over fences and hurdles recently and should have few problems seeing out this longer trip, he could well have Paul Nicholls enjoying another Saturday winner but a chance is taken on SANDYMOUNT. Tom George's string are firing right now (4-10) and he should be much-improved for his return at Wincanton. He's gone close from higher marks in the past and remains low-mileage ensuring he piques interest from the foot of the weights.