14:55 Chepstow

Monday 6 January 2020

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

freebet.com Free Bets Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 21.4s

Nightboattoclyro³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: David Dennis| CD

13/8

Had looked a frustrating sort in his first three starts but found a new lease of fom when 50/1 shock winner over C&D last month. Incurs 7lb penalty for that but has leading claims with good claimer on board.

Form: 3-6B1

I Am Plastered^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: J L Flint

14/1

Heavily beaten on debut back in November 2018 and wind surgery plus enforced absence didn't do the trick when beaten 22L at Exeter (2m1f) last month. Plenty more needed on hurdles debut.

Form: 4-8

Islandray²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips

16/1

Belated winner on his final start in the point-to-point sphere and nothing could be worked out from debut hurdles effort when unseating early on at Southwell (2m4f) last month. Worth a check in the market.

Form: 4U52-1U

King Erik²⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B PaulingWS

6/1

Impressive 15L winner on his sole start between the flags in March and made an encouraging start to life under rules with 3L fifth at Warwick (2m) in May. Has since had wind surgery but dangerous to ignore on hurdles debut.

Form: 1-5

Lieutenant Rocco²⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

3/1

Twice-ran in point-to-points, pulling up on first effort before 8L third (3m) in April before switching from Paul Nicholls to Colin Tizzard. Merits a betting check on debut for powerful yard.

Form: P-3

Mount Batur⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

8/1

Encouraging fourth on sole bumper start at Uttoxeter (2m) but bombed out when 47L 11th on hurdles debut at Ascot (2m3f) in November. Should be better than that but has to be reservations on that form.

Form: 4/0

Realm Keeper⁴⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| D

7/1

Twice a winner in France for Louisa Carberry and was last seen falling in Listed hurdle at Auteuil (2m3f) in October 2018. Not seen since which is a concern but interesting recruit for in-form yard.

Form: 3/1F62F-

Kapitall⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

150/1

Tailed off in two starts to date, including 80L defeat as 125/1 shot at Exeter (2m2f) in mid-November. Likely to be outsider and fill latter places once again.

Form: 90

Forecasts

Nightboattoclyro (13/8), Lieutenant Rocco (3/1), King Erik (6/1), Realm Keeper (7/1), Mount Batur (8/1), I Am Plastered (14/1), Islandray (16/1), Kapitall (150/1)

KING ERIK makes his hurdles debut in this contest and looks to be the one to beat for an in-form yard. The six-year-old was fifth in an above-average bumper at Warwick in May and that form seemingly sets the standard in this contest. Nightboattoclyro is noted after his shock win over C&D and will be interesting to see if can replicate the same level of form with a 7lb penalty, while the likes of Realm Keeper and Lieutenant Rocco remain severely unexposed and could both be dark horses.