14:17 Chepstow

Saturday 2 April 2022

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

bet365 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:19 | Winning time: 4m 53.29s

Noble Savage⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 99

9/2

Runner-up on first two starts of the season, but form has dipped the last twice and this 10-race maiden is likely to come up short once more.

Form: 35-2294

Start Point^h,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 97

22/1

Incremental progress in maiden hurdles and departed before the race began in earnest on handicap bow at Taunton. Hood refitted and could be a factor granted a clear round this time.

Form: 0534F

Methusalar¹³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 97

12/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who took a step forward when fourth on handicap debut at Huntingdon last May. Has failed to build on that in two starts so far this season, but not one to write off just yet.

Form: 54-3435

You Name Him^p1,t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: T Lacey| OR: 94

12/1

Good third off a much higher mark than this at Hexham last summer, but has misfired in two appearances since returning from a break in December and hopes here pinned on cheekpieces sparking a revival.

Form: 336597

Prince Of Bad Lins¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: R G Hawker| OR: 97

40/1

Left debut form well behind when third in an eight-runner Exeter juvenile hurdle in November. However, backward step at Taunton since and improvement needed now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 736

Walkinthewoods³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 88

7/1

Switch to handicap company prompted immediate improvement when runner-up at Ffos Las (2m) in February. Well held upped to 21.7f at Hereford next time, though, and now has a bit to prove.

Form: 274025

Isle Of Aron¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 84

3/1

Still seeking his first taste of success (0-11 overall), but he got back on track when fifth of 12 at Wincanton (21.4f) recently. 2 lb lower here and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 330675

Light Of Athena^h⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: R Harris| OR: 83

33/1

Performed above market expectations when third in a 2m novice here in November, but subsequent efforts in handicap company leave much to be desired.

Form: 453FP8

Shadow Walker²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: David Noonan| T: R T Phillips| OR: 79

50/1

No impact in a trio of novice events to date and significant step forward required now pitched into a handicap.

Form: U0-5

Heron Creek⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 79WS

3/1

Has shown signs of ability in 2m maiden hurdles this year and, with his shrewd yard in good form, he's one to monitor closely in the betting now moving up in trip for this handicap debut. Has undergone wind surgery.

Form: 356665

The Generous Joker²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 78

9/1

Attracted support ahead of last month's handicap debut at Exeter (16.7f), but he was never in the hunt and will need to raise his game in order to play a leading role up in trip here.

Form: 9-9U047

Vinnie's Icon^p1,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: C J Gray| OR: 70

40/1

Remains winless following 13 attempts under Rules and, unless the addition of cheekpieces helps bring about significant improvement, another struggle is on the cards.

Form: 6-977P6

Forecasts

Heron Creek (3/1), Isle Of Aron (3/1), Noble Savage (9/2), Walkinthewoods (7/1), The Generous Joker (9/1), Methusalar (12/1), You Name Him (12/1), Start Point (22/1), Light Of Athena (33/1), Vinnie's Icon (40/1), Prince Of Bad Lins (40/1), Shadow Walker (50/1)

HERON CREEK has failed to pull up any trees in a trio of maiden hurdles, but improvement may well be forthcoming now that he goes down the handicap route off a lowly opening mark. If the market vibes surrounding this 5-y-o are upbeat, the hint should be taken. Isle of Aron will be a big threat if able to build on his latest effort and Start Point is also shortlisted.