14:47 Chepstow

Saturday 10 October 2020

All13:4014:1214:4715:2215:5716:3217:0717:42

Native River Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 5m 43.26s

Brave Eagle^p²¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156| D

13/2

Winner of 4 of his 7 starts over fences, the latest a listed handicap chase at Uttoxeter last June. However, well held at the Cheltenham Festival on final run of last season and improvement needed.

Form: 13/1180-

Secret Investor^t²⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| C| DWS

11/4

Nicely clear of the rest when chasing Native River home in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury (23.4f, good) on latest start in February. Since undergone wind surgery and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 411/202-

Boldmere²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 145| BF| D

13/2

Wide-margin winner of both completed starts in this sphere and looked set to score at graded level before falling at the last at Wetherby (3m) on final run of last season. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 92/P11F-

Steely Addition²³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145| CD

16/1

Dual winner during novice campaign in 2018/19 but bit to prove following a couple of low-key efforts last season.

Form: 3141/4P-

Potterman⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142| D

7/2

Took record over fences to 4-9 when landing a competitive handicap at Market Rasen (23.9f, good) in August. 5 lb rise fair and good chance providing conditions do not become testing.

Form: 125-021

Some Chaos^p⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 140| BF| D

11/1

Progressive in staying handicap chases for this yard in 2018/19. Should be sharper following reappearance spin over hurdles at Bangor in August but others possess more pressing claims.

Form: 11/403-2

Seddon³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 137| BF

3/1

Pretty useful hurdler who landed a small-field novices' handicap chase at Cartmel in August. Lost no caste in defeat at Stratford (19.4f, good to firm) since and he's not ruled out.

Form: 373/512

Non-Runners

Ballyoptic²³⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Captain Chaos²²⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Django Django²²⁰

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Secret Investor (11/4), Seddon (3/1), Potterman (7/2), Ballyoptic (11/2), Boldmere (13/2), Brave Eagle (13/2), Captain Chaos (8/1), Some Chaos (11/1), Django Django (14/1), Steely Addition (16/1)

There could be more to come from BOLDMERE, who landed a couple of handicap chases in good style last season and would've added a Wetherby Grade 2 to his CV in February but for falling at the final fence. With Richard Johnson in the hot-seat, the 7-y-o earns the vote ahead of Secret Investor and Potterman. Last year's winner Ballyoptic and Seddon are others with claims in a competitive contest.