14:20 Chepstow

Tuesday 17 September 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Carolyn Perchard 60th Celebration Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 2m 33.73s

(8)

Astromachia³⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 83WS

7/1

Makes seasonal return after almost a year off the track. Still retains plenty of potential after just the seven starts, and he was chasing a hat-trick when only managing to finish midfield in a hot handicap at York (1m6f; good) when last seen.

Form: 623118-

(3)

Rotherwick^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: P & O Cole| OR: 82

15/2

Not been running badly this season finishing thereabouts on each of his last five runs. Mark has steadily been falling since he made his reappearance in May, and he could finish in the money once again. Vulnerable as a win prospect.

Form: 543434

(6)

Winged Spur³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 78| D

25/1

Mark has dropped to the one she scored off in a small field race at Lingfield (1m3f; good to firm) back in June. Struggling for form in four starts since then, and has to raise her game.

Form: 416956

(2)

Paths Of Glory^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 78| D

2/1

Handicap debut in the Lanark Silver Bell at Hamilton (1m4f; heavy) was disappointing but that was a tough introduction to this sphere and he is worth another chance in this easier contest. Still thoroughly unexposed. Yard in good form.

Form: 3210

(7)

Never Surrender²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 78| D

14/1

Inconsistent who took a backwards step from promising second at Ffos Las (1m6f; good to soft) when beating just the one rival at Goodwood (1m6f; good) in a seven-runner affair last time. Been out of form for nearly all of this season.

Form: 006026

(9)

Maiden Voyage⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 77| D

3/1

Yard/jockey combo going well at present, but she didn't give connections much to think about on her UK debut when only fifth at Brighton (1m2f; good to firm). Strength of form in France is difficult to assess, and so she is risky. Check betting.

Form: 1-60705

(1)

Prevent^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75

9/1

Returned to form when stepped up to this trip for the first time to finish a close third at York (1m4f; good) on his most recent outing. Should be more to come and although not the most consistent, he has claims.

Form: 501893

(5)

Ascot Day^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 72| CD

7/1

Unable to follow-up recent C&D success when a well-beaten fourth at Goodwood (1m4f; good) last month. Unchanged mark and has never won in this grade, but return to this track could see him in a better light so not totally ruled out.

Form: 132814

(4)

Nabhan^p,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 71| D

20/1

Would be required to step up on the bare form of his most recent effort when he was a modest fifth at Ffos Las (1m6f; good) in a weaker contest. Drops back in trip and is still above last winning mark.

Form: 624145

Forecasts

Paths Of Glory (2/1), Maiden Voyage (3/1), Astromachia (7/1), Ascot Day (7/1), Rotherwick (15/2), Prevent (9/1), Never Surrender (14/1), Nabhan (20/1), Winged Spur (25/1)

An opening handicap which includes a mix of unexposed sorts up against some seasoned campaigners in this sphere. The seven-year-old Rotherwick hasn't won for a while, but knows what it takes to run well in these races, as shown by his consistent profile in this grade this campaign and it would be a surprise were he incapable of making the frame again. If fit enough to do himself justice after a 340-day absence, then Astromachia should be hard to beat after the progress he showed last season in handicaps. We'll stick with PATHS OF GLORY though, who fluffed his lines in a competitive contest on handicap debut but should be able to resurrect that loss as he drops in grade.