14:20 Chepstow

Friday 31 January 2020

All13:2013:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:30

Chepstow Trade Centre Novices' Hurdle

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 7f 131y  |   Heavy  |   7 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:20  |   Winning time: 6m 35.20s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
1
Horse silk
Mercian Knight49
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR:  120| D
8/1
Showed plenty of guts and determination to get the better of an old rival at Doncaster over an extended three miles in December; giving weight away all round and this drop in trip are two negatives but can go well.
2
Horse silk
Ask Me Early244
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| D
11/1
Came good at the second attempt in Irish points, and the cost £34,000 at Doncaster last August. Dam unraced sister to multiple-placed maiden High Cotton (2m4f-3m hurdles/chases). In good hands, but this looks a fairly tough rules debut.
3
Horse silk
Blackjack Kentucky55
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  127| BF| D
10/11
Point-to-point winner on heavy ground in November 2017. Lightly-raced since but has placed on his last four starts over hurdles; obviously suited by forecast conditions and could be ready to break his maiden tag.
4
Horse silk
Orsino8
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: P & M Bowen
66/1
Pulled up on his hurdles debut here in December and let down by some ponderous hurdling recently at Fakenham; needs to show more before being considered a betting proposition.
5
Horse silk
Walk In The Mill55
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: R Walford| OR:  140| D
13/8
Recent Becher Chase winner and Grand National hopeful; will certainly enjoy the likely testing conditions and has run fair races over hurdles in the recent past; should run well but likely find a couple to quick for him.
6
Horse silk
Janeslittlevoiceh147
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-5| J: R T Dunne| T: R G Hawker
100/1
Has been placed recently in two point-to-point contests and comes into this race fit; hard to assess whether she will be capable of landing this in first-time headgear.
7
Horse silk
Memphis Bell10
Age: 6|  Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Ring(3)| T: Evan Williams
100/1
Well held in two starts over hurdles at Exeter so far, initially 2m2½f (heavy) and then last time when stepped up to 2m7f. Much more needed.

Forecasts

Blackjack Kentucky (10/11), Walk In The Mill (13/8), Mercian Knight (8/1), Ask Me Early (11/1), Orsino (66/1), Janeslittlevoice (100/1), Memphis Bell (100/1)

Verdict

BLACKJACK KENTUCKY is the clear form pick based on his latest four efforts including over course and distance. It is slightly worrying he has not been able to go on to win any of those contests but it is too early in his career to suggest he is not the type who wants to win. Mercian Knight showed plenty of courage last time out at Doncaster and while he should give a good account of himself, he may find it hard to give weight away in the predicted conditions. Walk In The Mill has given a good account of himself on his last two hurdles appearances and can not be easily discounted especially if conditions become really testing.
  1. Blackjack Kentucky
  2. Mercian Knight
  3. Walk In The Mill

Prize Money

1st: £3,769.002nd: £1,107.003rd: £553.004th: £277.00

MOST READ RACING

Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

RACING TIPS

Next Off