15:35 Chepstow

Thursday 23 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Alliance Leisure Handicap

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 1m 10.74s

(3)

Bahuta Acha^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T E Whelan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 77

33/1

All three wins have come over 5f. Down to his last winning mark but his comeback run suggested there is work to do.

Form: 16960-0

(8)

Bungee Jump²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: G Harris| OR: 76| CD

17/2

Took this 12 months ago off 4lb higher. Needs to rebound from a poor effort last time, but had promised more on his previous run.

Form: 27-9849

(9)

Great Midge²⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 75

8/1

Unexposed and represents a yard that is very adept at getting the best out of its sprinting division. Drawn wide and hampered on handicap debut but still posted a respectable effort. One to consider, particularly if supported.

Form: 0224-

(7)

Nubough²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 84| D

11/10

Long odds-on when opening his account under this rider at Chelmsford over this trip. Not disgraced in either start since over 7f and likely to give another good account from the front.

Form: 5D3-133

(6)

Indian Sounds²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 84| D

14/1

Winner at Newbury and Kempton last year. Struggled subsequently and no signs last time that a gelding operation had improved things. Stable are 5-24 with three-year-olds here since 2014.

Form: 19188-9

(4)

More Than Likely¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 83| D

12/1

Cunningly placed to land three ordinary novice auction races in 2018. Has barely beaten a rival in two handicaps though and some of her fitter rivals have to be considered better handicapped.

Form: 122106-

(1)

Tin Hat²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 82

10/1

Hasn't won since his second start but had some smart form as a juvenile including a fifth in the Windsor Castle. Neither start this year can be considered encouraging, but the yard are 3-8 since Friday so improvement is possible.

Form: 3336-06

(2)

Dr Doro^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: George Downing| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| D

50/1

Enjoyed a fine run of form last year in winning three from five. Last of nine on her return but will be happier with the forecast faster conditions. Still has a bit to prove in this company though.

Form: 13115-9

(10)

Cool Reflection¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Raul Da Silva| T: P & O Cole| OR: 81| D

9/1

Winner of a Kempton novice event which has not worked out well before undergoing wind surgery. Outclassed on return and he is generally better when allowed to make the running. Faces competition for the lead here so maybe best watched.

Form: 52821-9

(5)

The Groove⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Gina Mangan⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 70| BF| C| D

9/1

Has won four times including here, but all those victories came in much weaker company and he remains above his last winning mark.

Form: 253727

Forecasts

Nubough (11/10), Great Midge (8/1), Bungee Jump (17/2), The Groove (9/1), Cool Reflection (9/1), Tin Hat (10/1), More Than Likely (12/1), Indian Sounds (14/1), Bahuta Acha (33/1), Dr Doro (50/1)

Charles Hills' stable are 3-5 this week and have excellent prospects here with NUBOUGH. He showed a lot of speed when posting a career best last time and the return to this shorter trip ought to be beneficial. Tin Hat represents another in form yard but his two efforts this season are less appealing. Bungee Jump has disappointed in three of her fours starts this term, but could repeat last year's success if in better shape. Great Midge is lightly raced and open to improvement and should be monitored for a market move on her seasonal bow. Indian Sounds would be a threat on the best of his 2018 form and his yard do well here with this age group.