11:53 Chepstow

Saturday 3 December 2022

All11:5312:2713:0213:3714:1214:4715:22

Happy Birthday To John Maisey Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 11:53 | Winning time: 5m 55.56s

Pats Fancy²⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 132| CD

10/1

Developed into a very useful chaser last term, including 2 wins around 3m here. Peak fitness has to be taken on trust after 8 months off but he's of interest back hurdling from a lower mark.

Form: 6/41125-

Take Your Time^p²⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Angus Cheleda⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF| CDWS

9/2

Looked very much on the up when winning this race 12 months ago. His progression came to abrupt halt when pulled up on his final 2 outings last season but there's still plenty of time for him to get his career back on track. Has had wind surgery ahead of reappearance.

Form: P2/11PP-

Royal Pretender²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Alexander Thorne| T: A King| OR: 124

13/2

Fairly useful hurdler, winning his first 2 starts last season before holding his form well throughout the campaign. Creditable third back over hurdles at Lingfield (23f) last month. Another who can't be discounted.

Form: 322-3U2

Grace A Vous Enki^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122| BF

11/1

Won twice over hurdles last term and respctable fourth in Newton Abbot handicap on reappearance. Ran no sort of race (distant fourth) back over fences at Ludlow since but may do better returned to hurdles. Blinkers off, cheekpieces back on.

Form: P1P1-44

Cavallino^t1²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121WS

40/1

Hurdle winner/fairly maiden chaser for Willie Mullins in Ireland. Pulled up in Punchestown handicap chase on final start over there in April. Blinkers off, first-time tongue strap on (has had wind op) now setting out for new yard. Betting perhaps the best guide.

Form: 1/F235P-

Benny's Oscar¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

25/1

Point winner and made a successful transition to hurdling at Warwick back in February 2021. Similar form when runner-up at Newcastle 3 weeks later. Didn't get beyond the first switched to fences on Uttoxeter on his belated return 13 days ago so this effectively his first run for 20 months.

Form: 53112/F

Paricolor^b,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 120

12/1

Nine wins from 29 NH runs, most recently at Bangor last December. Off 6 months, ran creditably back hurdling at Ffos Las 4 weeks ago and interesting with that outing under his belt.

Form: 145-3P3

Raddon Top^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Anderson⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 116| BF| D

6/1

Multiple point winner who had a fine first campaign over hurdles last season, winning 3 Exeter handicaps. Went down only narrowly to an unexposed one on his reappearance there (23f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 11132-2

Carlow Farmer^t²⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 116| D

22/1

Won a 23f Uttoxeter maiden at the end of 2021. Wasn't on a going day when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Exeter in February on his final run for Charlie Longsdon but could bounce back for his capable new stable.

Form: P/UP21P-

Top Of The Bill²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115| BF

10/3

Placed all 4 starts in bumpers. Best effort over hurdles when length second in 2½m Sandown handicap on reappearance 4 weeks ago and he probably would have won if he hadn't flattened the last. His jumping is a slight worry but he has the ability to win off this sort of mark.

Form: 23/444-2

Lanspark¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 110| BF| CD

7/1

Won over C&D and at Plumpton last winter. Solid return to action when second over C&D 15 days ago. On the shortlist.

Form: P1145-2

Winds Of Fire¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 109

33/1

Won over fences at Newcastle in November 2021 but has lost his way since the turn of the year, including well beten over 19.5f here 15 days ago. Has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 37P6-67

Forecasts

Top Of The Bill (10/3), Take Your Time (9/2), Raddon Top (6/1), Royal Pretender (13/2), Lanspark (7/1), Pats Fancy (10/1), Grace A Vous Enki (11/1), Paricolor (12/1), Carlow Farmer (22/1), Benny's Oscar (25/1), Winds Of Fire (33/1), Cavallino (40/1)

A very competitive opener. TOP OF THE BILL's tendency to make the odd mistake means he isn't one for maximum faith but he's talented enough to win races from his mark and gets the nod now stepping up to 3m for the first time. Paricolor is 2 lb below the mark he won off at a similar time last year and is much respected on the back of a good reappearance at Ffos Las. Last year's winner Take Your Time, who could revive after wind surgery, and course chase scorer Pats Fancy also make the shortlist.