16:25 Chepstow

Sunday 19 March 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Cazoo Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 5m 14.23s

Bonza Boy^p⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 102

15/2

Didn't really kick on from a promising runner-up effort in Hereford handicap hurdle on return, though took a small step back in the right direction fitted with cheekpieces at Exeter last time. Worth noting the market on chase debut.

Form: 52-2558

Iron Horse^p¹⁰⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips| OR: 101

16/1

Very lightly raced for his age but has a good record fresh, finishing runner-up in a Leicester handicap hurdle on other outing this season. Didn't look a natural in 3 starts over fences in 2020, so interesting that connections switch codes again well into his veteran stage.

Form: 557/2P-2

Blackwater²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: B Lund| OR: 100

125/1

Sold cheaply after 3 starts for Gordon Elliott but showed a bit more on his debut for this yard at Ffos Las last month, albeit doing so in laboured fashion. Unsuited by emphasis on speed last time but more needed on chase bow.

Form: 5-5936

Kap Chidley⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: James Davies| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 101

16/1

From the family of very smart chaser Hammersly Lake and made the frame on last 2 of 3 starts in Irish points. Shaped like a longer-term prospect in a trio of novice/maiden hurdles and is respected quickly sent chasing for handicap debut.

Form: F42753

Est Illic^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 98

66/1

Fairly useful sort at his best but has essentially become disappointing nowadays, again looking awkward when fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Doncaster (19.1f, good) 16 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: P46P-74

Discko Des Plages^t⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 97| D

9/2

Tame finishing an issue with him but well weighted these days and he looked set to win until unseating 3 out on return at Uttoxeter in November. Bit unfortunate to unseat again there last time and could have a say with a clearer round.

Form: 2/326-FU

Faitque De L'Isle^h⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Luca Morgan| T: M Scudamore| OR: 96

16/1

Fair form over fences in France in 2020 and got off the mark for current yard at Ffos Las (23.8f) in October. Disappointing since though, including dropped in grade in a first-time hood at Catterick last time.

Form: 31P366

Kingcormac¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: J Tickle| OR: 93| BF

8/1

Gained reward for a string of solid efforts when landing a 10-runner handicap at Hereford in January but lost action in follow-up bid at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. Reportedly sound afterwards so merits respect if that issue remains a one-off.

Form: 58/321P

Valirann Gold^h,t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 92| BF| C

18/1

Much improved for the switch to front-running tactics when scoring over 2m here in January but below-par third at Hereford since. Needs to get back on track.

Form: PP6613

After The Fox^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 88| CD

10/1

Won here over hurdles last term but hasn't fired at all this season and he's tough to fancy unless the switch to fences sparks him up.

Form: 40-7655

Bells Of Stamford^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 87

3/1

Has taken well to chasing, in frame on his first 2 outings before showing further improvement for a wind op/fitting of tongue strap to score at Warwick last time. 7 lb rise looks manageable and he's a leading player.

Form: 5-13341

Treasure Dillon^p⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 84| CD

10/1

Fair 2m4f winner over hurdles but he has made little impact over fences to this point, so hard to make a case for.

Form: 7-4P5P4

Barnay^b¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Max Kendrick| T: J Coulson| OR: 82

50/1

Hurdles winner for Jennie Candlish but he remains a poor maiden over fences, his third at Catterick last month a clear stand-out for this yard. More needed.

Form: 58-033P

Shutthegate^b1⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: J E Moore| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 76| D

11/2

Poor winner at 19f over hurdles has offered very little in a pair of starts over fences so far. Has since left John Spearing. Remains very hard to fancy.

Form: 4P60-6P

Tout Paris¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: B Lund| OR: 70

100/1

Good second of 5 in novice hurdle at Exeter (16.7f, good) on stable debut last month but made an inauspicious return to chasing last time, unseating at the first. Others make more appeal.

Form: P005-2U

Forecasts

Bells Of Stamford (3/1), Discko Des Plages (9/2), Shutthegate (11/2), Bonza Boy (15/2), Kingcormac (8/1), After The Fox (10/1), Treasure Dillon (10/1), Kap Chidley (16/1), Iron Horse (16/1), Faitque De L'Isle (16/1), Valirann Gold (18/1), Barnay (50/1), Est Illic (66/1), Tout Paris (100/1), Blackwater (125/1)

BELLS OF STAMFORD is less exposed than most here and has made a positive start over fences, so is taken to defy a 7 lb rise and follow up. Discko des Plages isn't one to trust implicitly but is on a very workable mark if able to complete this time, whilst Kingcormac had plenty in hand when winning at Hereford on his penultimate start and should also be in the mix.