14:10 Chepstow

Tuesday 27 December 2022

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1014:5015:2515:55

Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 6m 2.91s

Flight Deck^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137| D

10/1

Progressive last season and left his inauspicious reappearance effort behind when finding just one too strong in a Carlisle handicap (25f, good to soft) recently. Possibilities off 2 lb higher, particularly given that further progress is not out of the question.

Form: 4/151-P2

Green Book²⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135WS

4/1

Improver on Flat in 2021 and has continued on the up switched to hurdles, winning 3 handicaps at up to 3m last season. Also a creditable fifth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. Can't have been right at Aintree final start. Respected on return to action after wind surgery.

Form: 1U1459-

Us And Them^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: James Best| T: A E Jones| OR: 134

150/1

Smart handicap chaser at best but proved unreliable for Joseph O'Brien. Failed to complete all 4 chase starts for this yard and remains to be seen whether a return to hurdles helps. Also has blinkers refitted.

Form: 83-UFPP

West To The Bridge^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| C

20/1

In the form of his life last season, completing a 4-timer between January and March, with the first leg coming here. Not at best in 3 outings this term but latest Lingfield fifth was more encouraging and he's 3 lb below his last winning mark. Tongue strap refitted. Considered.

Form: 115-095

Bells Of Peterboro²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| CD

6/1

Easy winner off this race off 3 lb lower 12 months ago. Has been campaigned over fences this term, performing with credit when placed on his last 3 starts (3m here latest). Much respected back hurdling for yard seeking a third win in this since 2019.

Form: 53-4223

Flemenstide^p²⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

11/2

Bumper winner who made a successful hurdles debut in a Ascot novice (21.5f) in November 2021. Runner-up both subsequent starts last season and returns as an unexposed sort from a top stable. Interesting to see how strong the betting vibes are.

Form: 219/122-

Just A Dime³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 119| D

10/3

Successful twice from 5 starts in points and made the perfect start to his Rules career when landing 23f novice hurdle at Exeter in March. Confirmed he's quite useful when runner-up at Carlisle 9 months later and potential improver now making a quick switch to handicaps.

Form: PP/111-2

Kateson²⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: A Ralph| OR: 118| C

14/1

Useful performer at best. Temperament seemed to get the better of him towards the end of last season but he does reappear off a much lower mark than when second in this 12 months ago.

Form: 325666-

Sabrina^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

5/1

Has improved over hurdles since fitted with a tongue tie, making the most of a good opportunity back in novice company at Exeter last month. Could be more to come and one of 2 with a chance in this for her top yard.

Form: 413-221

Bobo Mac^p³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: David Noonan| T: T Symonds| OR: 115| CD

20/1

Veteran who was useful at his best and confirmed he still has plenty to offer when a ready scorer over C&D last month. Sneaks in at the bottom of the weights and ought to remain competitive up 4 lb.

Form: U576-21

Non-Runners

Lynwood Gold⁴⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: B Barr J: Thomas Doggrell

Forecasts

Just A Dime (10/3), Green Book (4/1), Sabrina (5/1), Flemenstide (11/2), Bells Of Peterboro (6/1), Lynwood Gold (8/1), Flight Deck (10/1), Kateson (14/1), West To The Bridge (20/1), Bobo Mac (20/1), Us And Them (150/1)

A very competitive handicap. WEST TO THE BRIDGE has the tongue tie he wore when gaining all 4 wins last season refitted for the first time the term and might be worth chancing to bounce back to form having dipped to 3 lb below his last successful mark. Last year's winner Bells of Peterboro and the returning Green Book head the many possible dangers.