20:00 Chepstow

Friday 26 April 2019

All16:5017:2017:5018:2519:0019:3020:00

Sun Trade Windows Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 3m 58.40s

Land League^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 110

8/1

Rated 122 at his peak but hard to be confident he can exploit his current mark following an inauspicious return to action last month.

Form: 96443-0

Billy My Boy^p²⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 109| CD

12/1

Has done all his winning during the warmer months, including this race in 2017, and handles any ground. Needs a career best to win this having been absent eight months since scoring at Newton Abbot on last outing.

Form: 348U21

The Character⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| BF| D

16/1

On a good mark judged on his hurdling form of two years ago and his Flat form. Suited to a fast surface which excuses his first two runs of 2019 and his last run came around the time of the flu outbreak. Likely contender if it remains dry.

Form: 301/649

Delface^b⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 106| BF| D

7/2

Has bumped into improving horses on his two starts since a Uttoxeter success. May not be the most straightforward and rain would be a help in a race where others look more reasonably weighted.

Form: 663123

Bardd⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 106| D

7/1

Earned a reputation for being unreliable when trained by Nicky Henderson and a beaten favourite on six occasions. 0-13 over hurdles now and he gave up far too easily last time.

Form: F44553

Nabhan^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 105| D

11/2

Nicely weighted at present and two runs back from an absence should have him spot on for this. Third to a well-handicapped rival here three weeks ago and goes on the shortlist.

Form: 323703

Mere Anarchy^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 103| CD

7/2

Reasonably weighted and sole hurdles win came here three years ago. Seems better suited to some cut in the ground so any rain will be welcomed.

Form: 333735

Flight To Nowhere^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: L Heard| T: R J Price| OR: 95| CD

11/1

Sole win came in a lower grade race over C&D in March 2018. Had Nabhan behind in third when chasing home a well-handicapped rival here last time, but unlike that rival she needs some rain to be seen at her best.

Form: 146-P92

Duc Kauto^t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 93

11/1

Took a poor Class 5 event at Plumpton and has had his problems since. Trainer capable of bringing him back, but even his best may not be good enough.

Form: 6581P0

Lady Wethered^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 89

16/1

Inconsistent mare who was a fair third last time. That effort proved she is better with plenty of give underfoot, but on balance she has a lot to find.

Form: 3-P00P3

Non-Runners

Watt Broderick²⁴¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 10

T: Ian Williams J: Edward Austin

Forecasts

Delface (7/2), Mere Anarchy (7/2), Watt Broderick (4/1), Nabhan (11/2), Bardd (7/1), Land League (8/1), Flight To Nowhere (11/1), Duc Kauto (11/1), Billy My Boy (12/1), Lady Wethered (16/1), The Character (16/1)

Most of these have questions to answer with Bardd, Delface and Duc Kauto being unreliable and rain a pre-requisite for Flight To Nowhere, Mere Anarchy and Lady Wethered. Billy My Boy and Watt Broderick may need this after a break, but Nabhan shaped encouragingly last time and has a lot going for him in this company whatever the weather. However, a chance is taken that conditions remain dry enough for THE CHARACTER whose three runs this year can be excused. There is definitely a race to be won with him off his current hurdles mark given his Class 3 victory in 2017 off 6lb higher and a run at Haydock in January that showed he retains a lot of that ability.