14:25 Chepstow

Saturday 9 October 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:40

Native River Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 2.71s

Mister Malarky^p¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 154| D

25/1

Very good on his day, successful in well-run 3m Ascot handicap in December. Typical mixed record since and has needed his reappearance for the last 2 seasons.

Form: 6U173P-

Real Steel^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154WS

17/2

Dual 2½m Grade 2 winner in Ireland in 2019/20. Shaped well on last season's return/yard debut but no show in 2 Grade 1s since. On a good mark on pick of his form back in a handicap after 6 months off.

Form: 1P6/3PP-

Brave Eagle^p³¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| D

12/1

Positive start over fences, winning 4 out of first 5 outings. However, turned in a flat display on last season's return here before falling heavily at Newcastle in November. Not seen since.

Form: 1180/5F-

Exelerator Express^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 147

16/5

Progressive sort who resumed winning ways in emphatic fashion upped to this trip at Worcester 7 weeks ago. Up another 9 lb but unexposed at this sort of distance and remains of interest.

Form: 21-1621

Fidux⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 145

14/1

Likeable type who wasted no time getting back on track eased in class when forging clear in good style at Worcester in June. Only fourth of 9 off revised mark there since, though.

Form: 16-3014

Kitty's Light¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 143| D

17/2

Enjoyed a fine first season over fences, landing 3m2f handicap at Kelso in March. Most unlucky not to follow up in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and could be in for another excellent campaign.

Form: 343712-

The Mighty Don¹⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 141| CD

11/1

Didn't look a natural over fences but seems to be getting the hang of things judged on his last 2 starts at Cheltenham in the spring and won a C&D novice on his return last season. Not taken lightly.

Form: 32P065-

Full Back¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 140| D

13/2

Landed back-to-back small-field novice chase contests at around 25f last winter. Pulled up in Grade 2 at Ascot but back on track when close second at Fontwell. Opening mark looks a fair one on return.

Form: 4/311P2-

Irish Prophecy^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 138

20/1

Won handicap chases at Newton Abbot and Taunton last season and stopped the slide when third at Warwick 18 days ago. However, remains a risky betting proposition.

Form: 213R-P3

Cap Du Nord¹⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 138

14/1

Form hit new heights last season, successful at Newbury (2m6f) in November prior to solid in-the-frame efforts in stronger company. Player if ready to go after 5 months off.

Form: 235P5-5

Chirico Vallis^t¹²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130

16/1

Dual hurdle winner last season. However, not so good in this sphere and was let down by jumping at Perth in June.

Form: 11262-5

Court Master¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 128| D

7/1

Steadily progressive chaser who stayed on strongly to score over 2¾m at Kelso in March. Easy to forgive run in the Topham at Aintree on final start and remains one to be positive about.

Form: 124610-

Cobra De Mai^p,t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 128

14/1

Offered little in 3 starts last term but took a step back in right direction on debut for new yard when fourth at Warwick after 10 months off. Potentially on a good mark if building on that.

Form: 66/7PP-4

Non-Runners

Truckers Lodge²⁰³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Exelerator Express (16/5), Full Back (13/2), Court Master (7/1), Kitty's Light (17/2), Real Steel (17/2), The Mighty Don (11/1), Brave Eagle (12/1), Cobra De Mai (14/1), Fidux (14/1), Cap Du Nord (14/1), Chirico Vallis (16/1), Truckers Lodge (16/1), Irish Prophecy (20/1), Mister Malarky (25/1)

EXELERATOR EXPRESS is a chaser going places judged on his emphatic win over a solid yardstick at Worcester, so a 9 lb rise looks justified. He remains unexposed at this sort of trip and is taken to follow up. Christian Williams holds a strong hand with Kitty's Light and Cap du Nord, the former most unlucky not to win the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April.