13:35 Chepstow

Saturday 10 April 2021

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:2016:0016:35

Ken & Guy's 100th Kubota Mini-Excavator Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 3.29s

Shortcross Storm²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 102

11/1

Lightly-raced maiden in Ireland who has offered little in 2 starts since changing hands last month.

Form: 0-6558P

Imphal^v¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 99| BF

15/8

Fair 2m winner on Flat and placed twice in jumpers bumpers this year. Has failed to threaten in a couple of handicap hurdles since, but he's dangerous to discount off this reduced mark.

Form: 452347

Very Intense¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: N B King| OR: 98

13/2

Remains winless following 15 attempts over hurdles, but hit the crossbar for the fifth time in this sphere at Stratford (2¾m, good) recently. Solid each-way chance if coping with this drop in trip.

Form: 12/28-P2

Dolly McQueen³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 92

20/1

Modest on the Flat and she hasn't made much of an impact in a trio of mares' novice hurdles for new yard. Still, she's worth a second look in the betting on handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 676

Mighty Meg³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 90

25/1

Encouraging signs in couple of runs last summer, but there were very few positives to glean from reappearance effort at Wincanton last month.

Form: 758-460

Big Fiddle⁴⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 89WS

66/1

Didn't cut much ice in 3 starts in maiden/novice company in 2019. Since undergone a wind op and plenty to prove on this handicap debut following a 16-month absence.

Form: 0683/0-

Tuscan Pearl^p1,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 87

14/1

Has hinted at promise over hurdles, not least when fifth of 15 at Southwell on handicap debut in this sphere in November. However, has failed to build on that since and now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 6-65795

Mac Amara²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 85

13/2

Initial handicap efforts were poor, but she took a step forward when second over C&D in November. Again placed back from a break at Fontwell and possibilities if able to brush up on her jumping.

Form: 4PP-523

Sea Destination^t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 80

125/1

Point winner back in 2017, but efforts under Rules to date (all over fences) have been uninspiring.

Form: 455-PPF

Earthly^b,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 79

50/1

Modest winning stayer on Flat, but yet to trouble the judge following 5 attempts in this sphere.

Form: 76807

Kilchreest Moon¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 75| BF

5/2

Still seeking first taste of success, but positive start for this yard when second in a 9-runner Hereford handicap (21.7f, good). Return to a left-hand track will help and he's a key player.

Form: 7P99-02

Ashley Hollow^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Reed| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 54

100/1

Yet to show any spark and she's a long way out of the handicap.

Form: 000-79

Forecasts

Imphal (15/8), Kilchreest Moon (5/2), Mac Amara (13/2), Very Intense (13/2), Shortcross Storm (11/1), Tuscan Pearl (14/1), Dolly McQueen (20/1), Mighty Meg (25/1), Earthly (50/1), Big Fiddle (66/1), Ashley Hollow (100/1), Sea Destination (125/1)

KILCHREEST MOON failed to justify strong market support on debut for this yard at Hereford recently, but that effort nevertheless represented a step firmly back in the right direction and he looks the most solid option. Mac Amara clearly possesses ability, but plenty of improvement is needed in the jumping department and bigger threats may be posed by Imphal and Very Intense.