14:25 Chepstow

Monday 6 January 2020

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

Marketing Stop - The Direct Marketing Specialists Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 33.70s

Cold As Ice²⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 105

10/1

Inconsistent in his career to date and regressed during 2019, including 78L defeat here (2m3f) when last seen in April. Now 3lb lower for seasonal reappearance but needs a bounce back.

Form: 57/44P0-

Fair Exchange^p²²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105| D

33/1

Had some slightly encouraging form in point-to-points but heavily beaten 32L into fourth in maiden hunters' chase at Cartmel (2m5f) in May. Makes belated seasonal return and first start for this yard.

Form: 212-324

Hidden Cargo²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 102| D

11/1

Not seen under rules since July 2018 but has since won under point-to-points. Pulled up latest two starts in that sphere however and may need to find more off current mark for new yard.

Form: 5912P-P

Lady Kingsmill²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 102

25/1

A rank outsider in all starts under rules to date but belied them odds when 13L fifth in 2m3f novice hurdle at Ffos Las last month. Still needs more on chasing debut and must prove that wasn't a fluke.

Form: 32/U-775

Bill And Barn³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J W Mullins| OR: 102| CD

16/1

3m winner in the past for Paul Nicholls but showing very little for current yard, including pulling up in marathon contest at Exeter (3m6f) last time. Down in trip and grade but seemingly on a downward spiral.

Form: 124/77P

Tanrudy^b¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 102

7/1

Winner at Market Rasen off lighter mark earlier in the season and put poor performance behind him when 5L third at Fontwell (2m2f) on Boxing Day. Treated fairly on it with 1lb drop in the weights which puts him bang in the mix.

Form: 3413P3

Steel Express²⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 100

16/1

Good second over C&D and at Exeter back in the spring but bombed out when 21L eighth at Warwick (3m1f) when last seen in May. Off since and may need the run but place-claims on previous course form.

Form: 2P/022-8

Blazing Tom^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 95| D

20/1

Point-to-point winner who has been struggling under rules to date and seemingly flattered when third - beaten 50L - in similar contest at Ffos Las (2m5f) last month. Likely to play a minor role once again.

Form: 153903

The Manuscript^b1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 92| D

4/1

Last win came back in May and made fine return this season when good second over C&D in November. Not as good at Lingfield (2m7f) since but entitled to respect on previous form.

Form: 8-71725

Sign Of War^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

11/1

Ten-race maiden whose yet to really land a blow under rules so far. Wasn't able to get on terms in fifth when stepped up to 3m for the first time at Taunton last month but more needed on that evidence.

Form: 9-6P465

El Scorpio¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: L Treadwell| T: J Groucott| OR: 86

20/1

Best effort to date came when third in 2m7f Bangor handicap chase in October 2018 but tailed off and pulled up on first start for over a year at Hereford (3m1f) last month. Needs to prove he retains some ability.

Form: 9/5366-P

Bignorm²⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 84

10/1

Remains a maiden under rules and running with some credit this season, including 7L fifth at Uttoxeter (2m7f) in March. Has been in need of the run previously which is a concern but each-way shout at best.

Form: 880545-

Here's Bingo²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 83

11/2

Inconsistent sort whose best effort came when third at Exeter (2m2f) two starts ago. Was keeping on well before unseating rider at Fontwell (2m5f) last month and every chance 3m could bring out the best in him.

Form: 9-9683U

Captains Run⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Alain Cawley| T: J Farrelly| OR: 82

20/1

Rarely threatened to land a blow in four starts for this yard and flattered in third - beaten 22L - at Uttoxeter (2m6f) in early October. Makes return from slight absence with plenty on his plate.

Form: 6F-0703

Ector^p⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 79

8/1

Below modest when running over hurdles but wind surgery seemingly did the trick when 3L second in novice handicap chase at Ffos Las (2m5f) in November. Dark horse if improving on that off light weight.

Form: U7P-F82

Sustainable Star⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 72

28/1

Very modest sort to date and rarely threatening to win at the moment, including when flattering 12L third at Ffos Las (2m5f) in November. A bit to find on ratings with these rivals.

Form: 0/6P8-43

Forecasts

The Manuscript (4/1), Here's Bingo (11/2), Tanrudy (7/1), Ector (8/1), Bignorm (10/1), Cold As Ice (10/1), Sign Of War (11/1), Hidden Cargo (11/1), Bill And Barn (16/1), Steel Express (16/1), Blazing Tom (20/1), El Scorpio (20/1), Captains Run (20/1), Lady Kingsmill (25/1), Sustainable Star (28/1), Fair Exchange (33/1)

A trappy-looking contest where winning for is sparse, preference is for TANRUNDY, who looks incredibly well-treated given his encouraging run at Fontwell last time. The same headgear is tried again and that may help him at this trip. Similarly wind surgery irked out improvement in Ector last time and he looks well-treated on the weights if he is to progress once again. The Manuscript would be dangerous to ignore too given his encouraging second here two starts ago, given if he recovers from a poor run last time.