16:20 Chepstow

Friday 5 February 2021

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Follow Us On Twitter At tipstersempire Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 5m 34.50s

Dragonfruit⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112

5/1

Promising start over fences when scoring at Carlisle (2m) and not disgraced back hurdling when sixth at Huntingdon last time. Remains of interest back over fences.

Form: 484516

Grand Turina²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 111

10/3

Returned to form when third of 9 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (22.5f, heavy) and shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests when upped in trip at Doncaster since. This test more suitable.

Form: 5/25-P35

Destin D'Ajonc^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

7/2

Now 12 runs since his last win back in 2016 but he arrives in decent nick, second of 6 in 20f handicap chase at Uttoxeter 49 days ago. Needs considering dropped 1 lb here.

Form: 64P-752

Diamond Brig⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110

4/1

Won a hunter in 2018 and, having offered little in 3 outings for Nick Alexander, bounced back to score cosily in Uttoxeter handicap on debut for current stable. Capable of better still.

Form: 11/4P5-1

Rostello^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 107

12/1

Fairly useful form over hurdles in France but disappointing for current yard.

Form: 245-823

Twasn't The Plan^h,t⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 107WS

28/1

Remains a maiden after 17 runs and tongue strap quickly refitted after running poorly without it latest.

Form: 466-239

Truckers Highway^h,t²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: J Groucott| OR: 101

9/1

Regular winner over the years but lost his way at the end of last season. Found a bit of form when third at Uttoxeter but failed to build on that next time.

Form: P6-P434

Celma Des Bois⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 93

20/1

Improved to make a winning chase bow at Lingfield over 2 years ago but well held all 3 starts since.

Form: 311/P-55

Mahler's First⁷⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C Gethings| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 87

12/1

Disappointed over hurdles and made an inauspicious start over fences, jumping poorly and failing to complete first 2 outings. Much better when close third at Exeter 2 years ago but not seen since.

Form: P5PPU3/

Non-Runners

Mouseinthehouse⁶⁸

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Tudors Treasure⁵⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: R Stephens J: T J O'Brien

Danseur Du Large²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: P Gundry J: Nick Scholfield

Oakley Hall⁵¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: D G Bridgwater J: Mitchell Bastyan

Forecasts

Grand Turina (10/3), Destin D'Ajonc (7/2), Diamond Brig (4/1), Dragonfruit (5/1), Mouseinthehouse (6/1), Tudors Treasure (7/1), Truckers Highway (9/1), Mahler's First (12/1), Rostello (12/1), Oakley Hall (16/1), Celma Des Bois (20/1), Danseur Du Large (20/1), Twasn't The Plan (28/1)

DIAMOND BRIG disappointed in 3 starts last season but he bounced back to make a winning debut for this yard at Uttoxeter on return in November and is open to further improvement for this stable. Dragonfruit switches back to chasing having made a winning debut in this sphere at Carlisle and rates the main danger, with Grand Turina best of the others.