13:08 Chepstow

Saturday 2 April 2022

All13:0813:4214:1714:5215:2716:0216:3717:07

bet365 Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 3.82s

Hermes Boy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 122| BF

4/9

Lightly raced 5 y-o who confirmed previous promise when opening his account in ready style in an Exeter novice in December. Spurned a good opening at Hereford 3 weeks ago but this a good chance to gain compensation.

Form: 3-22142

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Castle Quarter¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: N P Mulholland

14/1

Fair10f scorer on the level for Michael Appleby but off the track since September. Didn't achieve a great deal on recent hurdles debut but effort wasn't devoid of promise.

Form: 4

Diamond Jack²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Hung badly left and ran out at Hereford in a bumper on debut in February. More straightforward at Newbury but didn't show much.

Form: R8

Dogem By Design^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: R Potter

50/1

€40,000 3-y-o, Sageburg gelding. Dam, 2m-2½m hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to smart hurdler/chaser Lie Forrit. Minor promise only in points and well held on hurdles debut.

Form: 4PP9

Half Nelson^h⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: M G Nolan| T: G Harris

100/1

Well held in a trio of bumpers and pulled up on hurdles bow.

Form: 0/66-P

Hartnoll Hero^b1⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Pte V Webster⁽⁷⁾| T: V R A Dartnall

12/1

Refused to race the last twice so easy to swerve in first-time blinkers.

Form: 423-3RR

Lindisfarne^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford

125/1

Dam, ungenuine maiden jumper, half-sister to modest hurdler/useful chaser (stayed 3m) Bronzesmith. Little promise in various company.

Form: 0/P8

Lord Bill¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: W T Kennedy| T: G Harris

100/1

Little to get excited about so far.

Form: 87799

Pot Of Paint^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott

50/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat but looks a handicap project over hurdles.

Form: 84

Tarahumara⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle

9/4

Brother to useful bumper winner See The World. Dam (c115/h102) 2m-2¼m hurdle/chase winner (stayed 2½m). Promising debut run when second of 12 in a heavy-ground maiden hurdle in January.

Form: 2

Jellicle Jewel¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke

50/1

Showed more than on debut when fourth of 6 at Newton Abbot in September but it's still very modest stuff.

Form: 8-74

Codebook¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Joe Ponting

50/1

Fair maiden at best on Flat (barely stays 1½m). Too free to last out both starts over hurdles.

Form: P6

Shielded⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

150/1

Fair maiden on Flat. Sold from Simon & Ed Crisford for 9,000 gns in October and no impact both outings over obstacles.

Form: P0

Vendange^t1²²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: J Tickle

80/1

Well held sole start on Flat. Has left Richard Hannon and gelded since.

Form:

Forecasts

Hermes Boy (4/9), Tarahumara (9/4), Hartnoll Hero (12/1), Castle Quarter (14/1), Codebook (50/1), Pot Of Paint (50/1), Jellicle Jewel (50/1), Dogem By Design (50/1), Diamond Jack (50/1), Vendange (80/1), Lord Bill (100/1), Half Nelson (100/1), Lindisfarne (125/1), Shielded (150/1)

Not a lot of strength in depth here so a good chance for HERMES BOY to atone for a wayward display off the bridle at Hereford 3 weeks ago. Tarahumara is the obvious threat.