14:40 Chepstow

Wednesday 6 November 2019

All13:0013:3514:0514:4015:1015:4516:15

Longcroft Building Services Supports Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 6m 12.40s

Dr Des³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 127

10/1

Useful winning hurdler; rather lost his way over fences last year (0-6) and started back this season over hurdles in a bid to restore some confidence. That plan rather fell apart as he was well below form at Stratford last time; drops a further 5lb.

Form: 5545P-5

Duel At Dawn²⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 125| D

9/1

Hardly produced a decent performance over fences last year with his best effort coming at Exeter (3m, first-time blinkers). Headgear failed to work again; returns over hurdles without any headgear; on a workable mark, comes with obvious risks.

Form: P/79P3P-

Perfect Man^p,t²³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| D

10/1

Consistent rather than progressive for this yard after he won on his stable/GB debut off an 8lb lower mark. Most of his performances were creditable but hard to see how he has much in hand off his current mark making his comeback appearance.

Form: 385643-

Jasmin Des Bordes⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 120

3/1

Shown promise in bumpers/over hurdles without winning for this yard but is still fairly unexposed compared to some. Ran a sound race back from an absence/wind op last time; now steps into handicaps off a decent mark; note a market move.

Form: 2234-3

Just A Thought²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 120

4/1

Dual bumper winner who has so far failed to win over hurdles although that wasn't for the want of trying during the 2017/18 season (useful placed form). Shaped well enough when returning after 18 months off here over 2m4f; longer trip will suit.

Form: 23247/4

Good And Hardy²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| D

3/1

Irish point-to-point winner at the third attempt who has so far only flirted with being successful in handicap hurdles looking as though a test of stamina will suit. From a yard in cracking form he may well have a contest such as this in his locker o

Form: 15/4252-

Sackett¹⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: N B King| OR: 116| D

14/1

In good form earlier in the year over fences striking up a good partnership with today's rider. Like a few in this race now reverts to hurdles despite looking high enough in the weights in this sphere for his returning run; may well need this.

Form: 83-P122

Oathkeeper¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113

12/1

Useful sort when trained in Ireland particularly over hurdles but has yet to find anything like the same spark for this yard in GB. Did hint at a revival last time (needs to brush up his jumping) finishing with a flourish; may do better yet.

Form: 8F-43P5

Ceann Sibheal⁵⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Hicks⁽⁷⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 108| D

100/1

Makes his stable debut after a significant absence; will be a surprise if he can match the form, he showed for Warren Greatrex straight away (needs testing conditions). Best watched this time around with a view to the future.

Form: 443132/

Little Boy Boru²²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 108

33/1

Took advantage of a fall in the weights to end a very long losing run when scoring at Plumpton in February (ran well in his one hurdles run afterwards). Returns in a competitive heat but probably summed up by his mark these days; others appeal more.

Form: P0715U-

Innisfree Lad⁵⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 108

33/1

Suited by very testing conditions when winning at Uttoxeter at the end of 2017 off a 10lb lower mark. Lightly-raced since then he has a significant absence to overcome although the handicapper is starting to cut him some slack.

Form: 513230/

Theatre Mix¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 107

50/1

Some promise against her own sex in novice hurdles and now with a mark which ought to see her make more of an impact switched to handicaps. Mark is lenient though and she is eligible for easier contests than this; would others to disappoint.

Form: 46/764-5

Forecasts

Good And Hardy (3/1), Jasmin Des Bordes (3/1), Just A Thought (4/1), Duel At Dawn (9/1), Perfect Man (10/1), Dr Des (10/1), Oathkeeper (12/1), Sackett (14/1), Little Boy Boru (33/1), Innisfree Lad (33/1), Theatre Mix (50/1), Ceann Sibheal (100/1)

This should turn into a good test at the trip and that’s exactly what GOOD AND HARDY needs having always looked as though he will need conditions such as these to be seen at his best. Still low mileage his trainer couldn’t be in better form although Just A Thought who has some excellent form in the book and made a sound return here recently will give him a good examination along with the likes of Jasmin Des Bordes. Oathkeeper caught the eye last time out and with a better round of jumping could trouble the principals; any positivity for him in the market should be noted.