13:40 Chepstow

Monday 27 December 2021

All12:3013:0513:4014:1014:5015:2515:55

Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 4m 6.37s

Forever Blessed²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 128| D

9/4

Impressive winner at Ffos Las and Sandown, pulling 18 lengths clear of Romeo's Bond at latter venue. Smart prospect who is likely to make a bold bid to remain unbeaten.

Form: 11

Forever William¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| D

20/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat who struck at first time of asking over hurdles in 2m Newbury juvenile 12 days ago. Likely capable of better.

Form: 1

Genuflex^t⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 113

50/1

Flat winner for Richard Hannon who has made a birght start over hurdles, winning easily at Wetherby before finishing a good second to Porticello in Wensleydale at Wetherby.

Form: 212

Iroko^t1⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

33/1

11/1, promise when 4 lengths second of 13 to Intense Raffles in newcomers race at Auteuil on hurdle debut. First run for new yard after leaving Emmanuel Clayeux. Likely to improve.

Form: 42

Magistrato⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| BF| CD

6/1

Won on C&D yard debut. Failed to progress as much as anticipated when 3¼ lengths fourth to Knight Salute at Cheltenham but retains potential. Stable seeking a third win in this since 2015.

Form: 2-14

Porticello¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132| BF| D

10/3

Won newcomers' race at Auteuil on sole start in France and followed up in listed Wensleydale at Wetherby on debut for new yard. Even better form when second in Doncaster Grade 2 since. More to come.

Form: 1-12

Rocky Man⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| D

66/1

Flat winner over 2m in France in April. 12 lengths second to Magistrato on C&D hurdle debut and got closer to that one when 4½ lengths sixth in Cheltenham Grade 2 since.

Form: 26

Saint Riquier^p,t1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 123| BF

50/1

lat winner in France and has shown plenty in his 4 hurdles, notably second in Cheltenham Grade 2 in November. Has been turned over at Warwick since, though. First-time tongue tie added to cheekpieces.

Form: 4222

Saint Segal⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs J Williams

13/2

Fairly ueful form when making a winning start to his career at Bangor (17f, soft) 47 days ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: 1

Skycutter²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 127| D

5/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who is 2-2 over hurdles, showing useful form when defying a penalty at Musselburgh latterly. Open to further improvement and can make his mark at a higher level.

Form: 11

Tease And Seize^h²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| D

66/1

Failed to win on Flat for Rod Millman but it's quickly clicked over hurdles for new yard, winning at Ludlow and Market Rasen. Good deal more will be needed to keep that winning run going here, though.

Form: 11

Non-Runners

Romeo's Bond²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 3

T: M F Harris J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Forever Blessed (9/4), Porticello (10/3), Skycutter (5/1), Magistrato (6/1), Saint Segal (13/2), Forever William (20/1), Iroko (33/1), Saint Riquier (50/1), Genuflex (50/1), Romeo's Bond (50/1), Tease And Seize (66/1), Rocky Man (66/1)

A cracking renewal of this Grade 1. FOREVER BLESSED was impressive when slamming Romeo's Bond at Sandown and gets the nod to take the step up in class in his stride and stretch his unbeaten record to 3. Northern-raider Skycutter and Wensleydale winner Porticello head the dangers, while there's a feeling that Magistrato is better than he showed at Cheltenham and he's also on the shortlist.