13:45 Chepstow

Tuesday 29 October 2019

All13:1513:4514:2014:5015:2516:0016:30

Edmundson Electrical Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 6m 57.25s

Carnspindle¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 122| C

14/1

Best effort over fences when third of 8 to Graceful Legend in a 2m6½f handicap at Newbury in March, but she typically looked a hard ride when below that form at Punchestown in May, and needs treating with a degree of caution.

Form: 85/443-6

Ballymagroarty Boy²³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 121

20/1

Won a 2m7f heavy-ground handicap hurdle at Haydock in December, and would probably have doubled his tally at Plumpton in March but for a last-flight mistake. Jumping a concern now tackling fences, but still appears to be improving.

Form: 57/18F2-

Shamilan¹⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 121

11/2

Matched previous best over hurdles when third of 6 to Fortified Bay in a 2m7f maiden at Uttoxeter in May. Opening mark stiff on balance, but type to do better granted a test of stamina over fences.

Form: 3/0226-3

Len Brennan²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120

7/2

Placed off higher marks in handicaps last season, but ended the season in the doldrums. Back to form when second in a novice hurdle at Southwell early this month, and handicapped to go close if translating that form back to fences.

Form: 322P7-2

Another Emotion²⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120

6/1

Below form on final 2018/19 start, but had shaped up well prior to that, and has a background in point-to-points, so seems the sort to take to fences for yard in good from. Shortlist material.

Form: 221/247-

Christmas In April¹⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 119| BF

11/4

Quirky sort who ran his best race over fences when neck third of 7 to Imada in a 2½m novice handicap at Perth despite looking indolent. The longer trip ought to suit on his comeback, and he's on a fair mark if putting his best foot forward.

Form: 130053-

Apollo Creed⁵⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

14/1

Won over hurdles at Ffos Las in November 2017, but absent since running poorly at Carlisle the following spring. Still young enough to make up for lost time, but no easy task on return from such a lengthy break.

Form: 623167/

Monbeg Aquadude^p1³⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 112WS

12/1

Failed to get home when making his debut over fences in a novices' handicap at Ffos Las in November, and has since had wind surgery. This will be just his second run since March 2017, and clearly hard to train. Cheekpieces tried now.

Form: 05415/8-

Blazing Tom^p1¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 108

33/1

Has won five times in point-to-point field, but only modest form in various events under Rules. Cheekpieces tried for handicap bow, and may do better, but others more convincing.

Form: 212-153

Rizzardo²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 108

16/1

Standout effort in the last year when second over hurdles at Market Rasen in March. Below that form before and since, including when fifth of 6 behind Maire Banrigh on recent chase debut, although he would have found 2m1f too sharp there.

Form: P/5620-5

La Cavsa Nostra²⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108

16/1

Gained two soft ground point-to-point wins in Ireland, but disappointing in three runs over hurdles/fences last term for current yard. Capable of better now handicapping, and market should be revealing.

Form: 12F/903-

Bellamy's Grey²²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 102

40/1

Showed a fair bit of ability in 2017/18, but this maiden pointer offered little in a handful of starts last term, and is best watched now switching to fences after an absence.

Form: 432/806-

Forecasts

Christmas In April (11/4), Len Brennan (7/2), Shamilan (11/2), Another Emotion (6/1), Monbeg Aquadude (12/1), Apollo Creed (14/1), Carnspindle (14/1), La Cavsa Nostra (16/1), Rizzardo (16/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (20/1), Blazing Tom (33/1), Bellamy's Grey (40/1)

Shamilan is the type to relish a test of stamina now switching to fences, and is shortlisted along with the experienced Christmas In April and the well-treated Len Brennan, but a chance is taken on point-to-point winner LA CAVSA NOSTRA, who has been campaigned over inadequate trips to date, and is the type to improve markedly for a proper staying test based on his efforts between the flags.