19:00 Chepstow

Friday 28 April 2023

All16:4517:2017:5018:2519:0019:3520:10

Sun Trade Windows Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 3m 54.00s

Hardy Du Seuil^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 131| D

10/3

Has had a good campaign over hurdles, winning 2m Sandown handicap in January and going close behind a course specialist at Wetherby in first-time cheekpieces 4 weeks ago, ridden more positively and pulling clear of the rest. Raised 3 lb but can go well again.

Form: 2-53172

Soul Icon^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 127| D

5/1

Proved a different proposition switched to handicaps, finding another chunk of improvement when making it 7 wins from 8 starts at Cheltenham (16.4f) in October. Poor return off this mark at Aintree after 6 months off but may have needed that and conditions were testing. This is easier.

Form: 11111P

Lunar Sovereign³²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lorcan Williams| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

14/1

Made good strides as a novice during 2020/21 campaign, winning twice over 2m, but lightly raced since, not seen again after his first run for 15 months at Market Rasen last June (final run for Fergal O'Brien). Interesting to see what the market makes of him starting out for new stable.

Form: 31133/4

Rathmacknee⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

16/1

Quickened up to lead late on at Doncaster (19.5f) in December but it's been a write-off since, folding tamely the last twice (stumbled badly first, folded rapidly leaving back straight in C&D race won by Zambezi Fix 9 weeks ago). Fair bit to prove.

Form: 101PPP

Deere Mark⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 123| D

9/2

Folded as if amiss in the Morebattle at Kelso last month but had been going the right way before that, winning 2m events at Hereford and Kempton under this rider. Still early days for him and he could get back on the up.

Form: 1-28110

Takeit Easy²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 122| D

9/2

Four-time winning hurdler over 2m who hasn't shown his form in 4 outings this season but has shaped better than the result on a couple of occasions (still with a bit to do but not properly asked for effort when hampered and unseated 3 out in valuable Haydock contest latest). Interesting.

Form: 24-045U

Zambezi Fix¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 121| CD

6/1

Finally opened his account for present connections when cosy winner of C&D handicap in February. Good run at Taunton next time but let down by jumping at Ffos Las latest. Still not on a bad mark.

Form: 742136

Shared^p⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 121| D

8/1

Has made a good start over hurdles for new yard, winning 2m novices at Wetherby and Doncaster this year. Well beaten off stiff-looking mark in the Fred Winter 6 weeks ago though and suspect he'll need some respite from the handicapper.

Form: 1510

Atholl Street¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 112| D

125/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner at Taunton in late 2020 but it's been a struggle since, including in 3 starts for current yard in the last 7 weeks.

Form: 223-FP9

Forecasts

Hardy Du Seuil (10/3), Takeit Easy (9/2), Deere Mark (9/2), Soul Icon (5/1), Zambezi Fix (6/1), Shared (8/1), Lunar Sovereign (14/1), Rathmacknee (16/1), Atholl Street (125/1)

TAKEIT EASY lurks on a very tempting mark (10 lb lower than for last success) and could be the way to go having not enjoyed much luck in a stronger race at Haydock 3 weeks ago. Hardy du Seuil can go well again, while it remains early days for Sam Thomas' Deere Mark and he could get back on the up after struggling in the Morebattle.