14:30 Chepstow

Saturday 7 December 2019

All12:2012:5513:2513:5514:3015:0515:40

Kubota The UKs Leading Mini Excavator Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 6m 39.00s

Shannon Bridge^p,t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF

9/1

Showed good form when finishing third in a 3m1 novices' handicap chase at Aintree (soft) on seasonal debut in October. Races off the same mark here and is one to note this contest.

Form: 0/3578-3

Down The Highway³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| D

7/2

Novice hurdle winner on heavy ground over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield on Rules debut in November last year. Disappointing since including when last of five on chase debut at Stratford in October. More needed on handicap debut.

Form: 1/1P48-5

Trio For Rio²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: W Greatrex| OR: 129| D

10/1

Dual hurdles winner last season but was beaten 53L when fifth on chase debut at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last month. Step up in trip a positive on this occasion.

Form: 15241-5

Dominateur³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: O Sherwood| OR: 127

11/2

Completed a novice hurdle double when winning over an extended 2m3f at Carlisle (soft) in March. Fell five out on chase debut at the same venue early last month and is interesting if putting in a clear round.

Form: 32311-F

Sojourn^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| D

11/4

Making his seasonal debut when winning by 16L in a heavy ground 3m novices' handicap chase at Market Rasen a month ago. Raised 10lb for that effort and is one for the shortlist once more.

Form: 4/133-1

Diamond Fort²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| C

11/1

Twice a winner over hurdles most recently over an extended 2m3f at Wetherby (soft) in November 2017. Well held fifth on final start of last season and cheekpieces worn for the first time that day are absent on chase debut.

Form: 9/94255-

Imperial Knight²⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

22/1

Placed on both starts since joining this yard most recently when beaten ½L in a maiden hurdle over an extended 2m4f at Southwell (soft) in March. Interesting runner on handicap and chase debut following a break.

Form: 332/P32-

Saint De Vassy²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: T Symonds| OR: 123

12/1

Placed on all five hurdles starts including when 18½L third in a six runner maiden event at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last month. Worth a check in the market on chase and handicap debut.

Form: 4/3232-3

Financial Outcome^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 113| D

7/1

Respectable efforts in two starts over fences to date including when 26L fourth over an extended 2m6f at Stratford (soft) at the end of October. Likely more needed if he's to take this contest from out of the handicap.

Form: 3422-34

Non-Runners

Worthy Farm²⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Katie O'Farrell

Forecasts

Sojourn (11/4), Down The Highway (7/2), Dominateur (11/2), Financial Outcome (7/1), Shannon Bridge (9/1), Trio For Rio (10/1), Diamond Fort (11/1), Worthy Farm (12/1), Saint De Vassy (12/1), Imperial Knight (22/1)

SOJOURN impressed in winning on chase debut last time out and he can maintain his unbeaten record over fences with victory in this competitive looking novices' handicap chase. Shannon Bridge ran well on his first outing over fences and he can register another placed effort by claiming second ahead of the consistent Saint De Vassy who can finish third on his first outing over the larger obstacles.