13:50 Chepstow

Monday 6 January 2020

All12:5013:2013:5014:2514:5515:3016:00

Plan A Consulting Maiden Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 20.10s

Adjourned^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| BF| DWS

13/2

Had been progressing with each start, with best effort coming when 3L second at Stratford (2m) two starts ago but was weakening when falling at Huntingdon (2m) last time. Had wind op to irk out improvement.

Form: 14-2F

Beaufort West^t1⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127WS

8/13

Second season novice who ran in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last season. Poor 11th on sole start here (2m3f) in October but drastically down in class and has had wind surgery. Claims.

Form: 9462P-0

Captain Aulmes¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Dave Crosse| T: B J Llewellyn| D

100/1

Sole win came in bumper in French provinces in October 2016 and ran accordingly to outsider tag when 70L ninth here (2m3f) over the Christmas period. Has plenty on his plate again and is opposable.

Form: 1/9

Exelerator Express^t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| BF

7/1

Not beaten far on debut start in April and bettered that when narrowly denied by a head in 2m Kelso bumper in November. Not seen since but should be better over hurdles and holds leading claims.

Form: 2-2

Falberto²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas

16/1

Well-held third on debut bumper here (2m) in October and ran to same level when filling the same position at Plumpton (2m1f) in early December. Slightly more may be needed on hurdles debut.

Form: 33

Jack Valentine⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| BF| D

9/2

Off the mark on second start in Uttoxeter bumper (2m) at the start of November before well-beaten third as odds-on favourite at Ffos Las (2m4f) later that month. More needed and may be better chasing.

Form: 2-13

Jobesgreen Lad

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: T R GeorgeWS

20/1

Passing Glance gelding whose dam was a winner between 2m2f and 3m. Not much else known on pedigree but has already undergone a breathing operation which is a concern.

Form:

Looking For Carl¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: D M Loughnane| D

28/1

Fair winner up to 2m on the flat and built on poor hurdles debut when fifth at Hereford (2m) 18 days ago. More will be needed against some pretty handy rivals on that evidence however.

Form: 05

Brophies Doll³²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens

66/1

Gained a sole victory between the flags but has been avoidable under rules to date. Showed bad side when refusing to race at Ludlow last time and every chance he may do that again. Little appeal.

Form: P5216R-

Non-Runners

Sonru⁶⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Christian Williams J: Lucy K Barry

Forecasts

Beaufort West (8/13), Jack Valentine (9/2), Adjourned (13/2), Exelerator Express (7/1), Falberto (16/1), Jobesgreen Lad (20/1), Looking For Carl (28/1), Brophies Doll (66/1), Sonru (66/1), Captain Aulmes (100/1)

BEAUFORT WEST has been highly tried in his career recently and found Grade 3 company too hot to handle at this track earlier in the season. This looks like a good opportunity to have been found by trainer Colin Tizzard to get him off the mark belatedly. The main danger looks to be Excelerator Express, who took an upwards step at Kelso and is matched closely with his rival. The likes of Falberto and Adjourned have been running encouragingly but have a few pounds to find on current ratings.