15:07 Chepstow

Saturday 25 February 2023

All12:4713:2213:5714:3215:0715:4516:1716:52

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 6m 15.80s

Jon Snow¹⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Luca Morgan| T: George Baker| OR: 140| BF

150/1

Useful hurdler who landed a maiden chase at Killarney in August. Left Willie Mullins after a disappointing run at Galway (fences again) in October and watching brief is advised back hurdling for his new yard.

Form: 11/8-315

Bear Ghylls^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 139

20/1

Had a fine season as a novice hurdler in 2020/21, winning his first 3 starts. Shaped better than the bare result after 20 months off when third on chase debut at Carlisle but he hasn't built on it twice since. Cheekpieces are reached for back hurdling. Has something to prove at present.

Form: 114/374

Galileo Silver^p,t²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 133| D

40/1

Dual chase winner last winter but also scored over hurdles at Ffos Las (3m) in June. Ran well again when second at Market Rasen the following month but off since and he returns in a competitive race.

Form: 1P2-212

Ballybegg¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 132

14/1

Last 2 wins gained over 2½m at Uttoxeter, bouncing back to form with a bang to comfortably see off 10 rivals a fortnight ago. Some of his 7 lb rise is offset by Niall Houlihan's claim but consistency isn't his strong suit and he's also unproven at this trip.

Form: 1PP-P71

Southfield Harvest^b1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| C| D

50/1

Has offered only minor encouragement over fences since returning from an absence so hopes are pinned on a return to hurdling and first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) sparking a revival.

Form: 23/1-P4P

Kings Keeper²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 128

18/1

Finally off the mark in maiden hurdle at Wexford in June. Well held on chase debut at Limerick next time (final start for Henry de Bromhead) but has made a good start for new yard back hurdling, placed twice at Uttoxeter before winning at Ffos Las (2½m). Steps up in trip now.

Form: 417231

Dubrovnik Harry⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 127

15/2

Promising over hurdles last term, including a third in the competitive EBF Final at Sandown in March. Also didn't shape too badly on his chase debut/reappearance in November but he pulled up in Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on sole run since. Up in trip.

Form: 3123-3P

Surrey Quest^p1,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126

12/1

Looked a good prospect over hurdles last season. Hasn't progressed as might have been hoped over fences this time round but this 6-y-o still has time on his side and a return to hurdles and addition of cheekpieces could give him a lift.

Form: 1P7-344

Bells Of Peterboro²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 126| CD

14/1

Consistent sort who made the frame again when returned to hurdles over C&D on Welsh National day. Creditable seventh of 14 in a competitive Sandown handicap since but it underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.

Form: 422327

Top Of The Bill^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| CD

10/1

Improved to open his account in C&D handicap in December and back to winning ways with cheekpieces added (retained) at Exeter 24 days ago. One of 2 solid contenders for a stable which won this race 12 months ago.

Form: 44-2141

Take Your Time^p⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123| CD

25/1

Looked very much on the up when winning over C&D in December 2021. Progress has stalled since but he might have needed his C&D reappearance over Christmas and there's still time for him to get back on the up.

Form: 2/11PP-6

My Bobby Dazzler⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 122

12/1

Won at Aintree last term but hasn't made much impact on either outing this term and he'll need to up his game to figure here.

Form: 1437-P5

The Kniphand²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| D

18/5

Improved for step up to 3m when landing back-to-back Doncaster handicaps in recent months. Raised another 7 lb but it's unlikely he's reached his limit yet.

Form: 225411

Operation Manna⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 119| BF| C

6/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner last term who took another step forward when scoring on his 19.5f course reappearance in November. Creditable third at Newcastle since and remains a handicapper with potential, particularly now stepping up in trip.

Form: 121-13

Thanksforthehelp^p1,t⁶¹

9/2

Encouraging third in a big field at Punchestown on his handicap debut last April. Shaped a bit better than result when fourth on 21f Wetherby return on Boxing Day. Has subsequently undergone wind surgery. Also has first-time cheekpieces added to his tongue strap. Interesting runner.

Form: 43223-4

Forecasts

The Kniphand (18/5), Thanksforthehelp (9/2), Operation Manna (6/1), Dubrovnik Harry (15/2), Top Of The Bill (10/1), My Bobby Dazzler (12/1), Surrey Quest (12/1), Bells Of Peterboro (14/1), Ballybegg (14/1), Kings Keeper (18/1), Bear Ghylls (20/1), Take Your Time (25/1), Galileo Silver (40/1), Southfield Harvest (50/1), Jon Snow (150/1)

A good handicap in which it may pay to focus on the unexposed sorts towards the foot of the weights. OPERATION MANNA should have more to offer now stepping up in trip so he's narrowly preferred to the hat-trick seeking The Kniphand. David Pipe's representative Thanksforthehelp is another very interesting contender.