15:45 Chepstow

Saturday 15 April 2023

All12:4513:2013:5514:3515:1015:4516:2216:52

DragonBet Proud To Be Welsh Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 4m 56.20s

Bridge Road^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 102

13/2

Carries his head awkwardly but off the mark in 2m handicap at Leicester in November. Has continued in reasonable form and now only 2 lb above that successful mark.

Form: 132547

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Royal Mer^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 99

16/1

Ran up to best when second of 7 in claiming hurdle at Compiegne (19f) on final start in France in November. Tongue tied for this yard and more like it when finding only one too good at Hereford, albeit not finding much for pressure. Thereabouts.

Form: P7292

Bert Wilson^t,v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 98| CD

11/4

Made it 2-3 since equipped with a visor and tongue tie combination when seeing off 12 rivals over C&D (soft) 23 days ago, battling well. 7 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: P-4U1P1

Mr Hailstone²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 94

9/1

Has shown he retains plenty of ability in maiden/novice hurdles since returning from a long absence in January. Hard to argue his opening handicap mark looks generous but he has potential as an unexposed sort.

Form: 58/2-F42

Just Over Land^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 102

10/3

Brother to connections' smart bumper winner/useful hurdler Good Risk At All. Has made steady progress in 3 hurdle starts this season and good chance there's more to come in handicaps. Very interesting runner.

Form: F43

Boleyn Boy⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 92

14/1

Hinted at ability in bumpers. Yet to better modest form over hurdles (remote second in Fakenham maiden in January), pulling up on Doncaster handicap debut last time.

Form: 7-5492P

Kash Tara⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 88

7/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Showed more than previously when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Southwell (2m) 76 days ago and could be more to come in handicaps for top stable.

Form: 7984

Ginderella⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 83WS

33/1

Poor form in 3 qualifying runs this term but stands more chance now handicapping at a low level. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 7-678

Key Factor⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 79

17/2

Very little to shout about so far, beaten just under 40 lengths when fourth on 2m Southwell handicap debut last month.

Form: 3-PP074

Hazy Dream²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: J Tickle| OR: 71| BF

20/1

Maiden who appeared to find the test too much when third of 9 at Exeter (21.5f, good to soft) last month, but held in fourth when unseating last at Hereford (2m) since. 3 lb out of handicap.

Form: 02-863U

Forecasts

Bert Wilson (11/4), Just Over Land (10/3), Bridge Road (13/2), Kash Tara (7/1), Key Factor (17/2), Mr Hailstone (9/1), Boleyn Boy (14/1), Royal Mer (16/1), Hazy Dream (20/1), Ginderella (33/1)

BERT WILSON found plenty when tackled at the last here last time and might be able to defy the handicapper again. Handicap-newcomers Just Over Land and Kash Tara are potentially dangerous opponents, particularly if the betting speaks in their favour.