14:20 Chepstow

Tuesday 29 October 2019

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

Ron Powell (Abercrave) 80th Birthday Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 52.35s

Arrivederci²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill

5/1

Won a bumper at Hereford on debut, and shaped well when third of 7 to Tea Clipper in novice at Warwick on hurdling bow recently. Travelled well there, and looks sure to improve.

Form: 14-3

Bobmahley

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Mahler half-brother to smart hurdler Closing Ceremony (3m winner) and smart chaser Highland Lodge (2½m-3¼m winner). Likely to need more of a test in time, and should benefit from this initial experience.

Form:

Butler's Brief

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: L Treadwell| T: A Ralph

100/1

€20,000 Yeats gelding out of a bumper winner who stayed 3m. Another who is bred for stamina, and likely to be in need of this racecourse debut.

Form:

Butterwick Brook

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard

50/1

By Getaway out of a bumper winner, and fetched £18,000 last year. Worry that 17-y-o dam has yet to produce a runner under Rules until now, and others more appealing on pedigree.

Form:

Checkitout^t1²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon

16/1

Much better effort over hurdles when fourth of 14 to Dickie Diver in a C&D maiden in February. Claims if back to that form, but he disappointed next time, and has been off since April.

Form: 345-

Come On Teddy¹⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 128

10/1

Runner-up on sole bumper start, and third twice over hurdles earlier this year. Should do better with experience, and one to bear in mind on seasonal return.

Form: 2/03-3

Eason²²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| C

4/1

Bumper winner on this card last year, and both his subsequent outings came in Listed contests, finishing sixth both times. Bred to do better over obstacles, and leading trainer introduces some of his better novices here.

Form: 166-

Eurowork¹⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

66/1

From a successful French family, although took him a few tries to get off the mark in point-to-points, and surprise if he's good enough to win what looks a warm contest.

Form: 442-1

Fado Des Brosses²⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

5/1

Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Cobolobo, and cost £200,000 after winning a 5-runner point-to-point in February (left clear to win by 15L). Yard does well at this track, and he needs a market check.

Form: 1-

Firak²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

14/1

Closely related to useful staying chaser Virak, and joined current yard after winning on his second start between the flags in Ireland. Represents powerful connections, and one to note in the betting ahead of hurdles debut.

Form: 21-

Freedelivery¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

From a well established family including Champion Hurdle winner Gaye Brief. Mixed record in point-to-points, pulling up twice and placed twice. Others boast stronger form in that sphere.

Form: 3PP-2

Piggy Winkle¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill

100/1

Fame And Glory gelding. Much better effort when 13¾L third of 13 to Now Look At Me in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter on debut, but well below that form after a break at Carlisle recently.

Form: 36

Sevarano²⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 130

7/4

Bumper winner who started brightly over hurdles last term, but only fourth at very short odds here in January, and similar form when third to Reserve Tank at Sandown in February. Sets the standard, but becoming expensive to follow.

Form: 15/2243-

Who Shot Jr²⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

25/1

Better effort in bumpers when 7¼L third of 11 to Mount Windsor at Fontwell in April, and should find races over hurdles, but facing a stiff enough test on his first attempt.

Form: 93-

Young Offender²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds

66/1

Finished second on his only start between the flags in Ireland, but that represents very modest form (pair she split soundly beaten on respective British debuts), and will find easier openings.

Form: 2-

Tippingituptonancy⁵⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

33/1

Second to a promising sort in The Glancing Queen on sole point-to-point start, and subsequently changed hands for £185,000. That outing came in March last year, however, and her lengthy absence must be a concern.

Form: 2/

Forecasts

Sevarano (7/4), Eason (4/1), Fado Des Brosses (5/1), Arrivederci (5/1), Come On Teddy (10/1), Firak (14/1), Checkitout (16/1), Who Shot Jr (25/1), Tippingituptonancy (33/1), Butterwick Brook (50/1), Young Offender (66/1), Eurowork (66/1), Butler's Brief (100/1), Bobmahley (100/1), Piggy Winkle (100/1), Freedelivery (100/1)

Sevarano sets the standard, but it's hard to forget his odds-on flop here earlier in the year, and he may be vulnerable again, with useful bumper performer EASON getting the nod ahead of Arrivederci, who shaped well on his hurdles bow, and has a fitness advantage. Fado des Brosses is a point-to-point winner who promises to do well over hurdles, and is another for the shortlist in what should be an informative contest.