14:10 Chepstow

Friday 27 December 2019

All12:3013:0513:3514:1014:5015:2515:55

'The Smart Money's On Coral' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 9.5s

Sykes³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 145| CD

14/1

Good third over 3m at Cheltenham (heavy) on seasonal debut in October but pulled up in a Grade 3 contest over an extended 3m at Haydock (good-to-soft) the following month. Interesting runner back down in grade having won over C&D in the past.

Form: 0/21P-3P

Clyne²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 143| BF

8/1

held on both starts so far this campaign most recently when a well supported favourite for a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Aintree (good-to-soft) nearly three weeks ago. Worth a check in the market stepping back up in distance.

Form: 2540-74

Kris Spin³⁷⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 142| D

33/1

Successful over 3m2f at Kelso (heavy) in April last year but only start since came when beaten 48L at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) just over 12 months ago. Probably best watched on this occasion.

Form: 26011/7-

Ask Dillon²⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| D

11/4

Dual hurdles winner last season including by 8L over an extended 2m5f at Exeter (good-to-soft) in April. One to note stepping up in distance on seasonal and handicap debut.

Form: 251201-

Acey Milan^p,t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 132

13/8

Finished runner-up on both starts since wind surgery most recently when beaten 2¼L in a big field Grade 3 handicap over an extended 3m at Haydock (good-to-soft) last month. Leading contender despite a 4lb rise in the weights.

Form: 513-822

Perfect Man^p,t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| CD

7/1

Made a winning seasonal debut when scoring by 1¼L in a 12 runner handicap hurdle over this C&D on soft ground early last month. Worth a check in the market stepping up in grade following an 8lb rise in the weights.

Form: 85643-1

Hygrove Percy¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129

20/1

Returned from a break with a good fourth place finish in a 2m3f handicap hurdle at Taunton (soft) earlier this month. Stepping up in trip off a mark 11lb higher than when winning over the same trip at Fontwell (soft) in October.

Form: 2146/14

Souriyan^b,t²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127

80/1

Beaten 62L when finishing last of four in a handicap chase over an extended 3m3f at Stratford (good) at the start of June. Others make more appeal returning to hurdles following a break.

Form: 511P-64

Eva's Oskar⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 126| CD

17/2

Completed a hat-trick when winning over C&D on good-to-soft ground just under two months ago. Decent sixth in a Listed handicap at Cheltenham (3m, soft) last time out and races off a mark 8lb higher than for that C&D success.

Form: 24-1116

Carnspindle^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 121| CD

33/1

Ran well when 3L second in a small field mares only handicap chase at Fakenham (3m, good) on her penultimate start. Struggled in a similar contest subsequently and returns to hurdles having won over this C&D in the past.

Form: 43-6P25

Driftwood Haze¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 120| D

20/1

Placed on his last two starts over fences including when runner-up over 2m5f at Ffos Las (heavy) earlier this month. More needed off a 2lb higher mark on his return to hurdles.

Form: 417-532

Forecasts

Acey Milan (13/8), Ask Dillon (11/4), Perfect Man (7/1), Clyne (8/1), Eva's Oskar (17/2), Sykes (14/1), Hygrove Percy (20/1), Driftwood Haze (20/1), Carnspindle (33/1), Kris Spin (33/1), Souriyan (80/1)

ASK DILLON represents a good yard and he can make a winning seasonal and handicap debut by taking this competitive staying handicap hurdle. The selection has forecast underfoot conditions in his favour and he can see off Acey Milan who ran well when runner-up in a better race than this last time out. Third place can go to Perfect Man who is stepping up in class following a good win here last time out.