13:55 Chepstow

Saturday 14 October 2023

All13:5514:3015:1015:4016:1516:5017:22

Champion Hats Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 4m 19.23s

Balboa¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 110

10/11

Fair maiden on Flat, up to 1¾m, who stepped up considerably on his first effort over hurdles when runner-up in juvenile at Market Rasen (16.6f, good) 2 weeks ago. Respected with more still to offer in this sphere.

Form: 32

Castelfort

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams

2/1

Castle Du Berlais gelding. Half-brother to Mare Sol. Dam, lightly-raced maiden, half-sister to 17f-19f hurdle/chase winner Bal Celtique. Yard capable of readying a newcomer so he could go well first time up.

Form:

Ceejaybe^t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss J S Davis

16/1

Well held first 2 starts on Flat and pulled up on hurdling debut at Newton Abbot in June. Back on the level, showed a bit more when mid-field sent handicapping last time, but he still looks to be up against it (tongue strap retained from Flat).

Form: P

City Cyclone²²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: A W Carroll

14/1

Half-brother to modest hurdler Sea The Sunset (2¼m winner). Fair maiden on Flat, stays 1¼m, but below his best on his last 2 starts. Rare hurdles debutant for his yard.

Form:

Stray Bullet^t1¹⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe

7/1

Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Barrua (17f/2¼m winner). Fair winner on Flat in France for Simone Brogi, winning twice at up to 9.2f. One to consider as he makes stable/hurdling debut with tongue strap on first time.

Form:

Parish Star¹³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke

40/1

Dam half-sister to useful hurdler (2m-2½m winner) Via Galilei. Modest form at best in maidens/handicap up to 11.7f on Flat in Ireland. Makes hurdling debut on first run for yard after leaving J. S. Bolger.

Form:

What An Icon¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

125/1

Poor maiden on Flat. After 8 months off, first run since leaving Mick Channon when well held in minor event at Bath in June. Difficult ask as she goes over hurdles.

Form:

Non-Runners

Liari¹⁷⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 3

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Whispering Royal⁶⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 3

T: A King J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Balboa (10/11), Whispering Royal (7/4), Liari (15/8), Castelfort (2/1), Stray Bullet (7/1), City Cyclone (14/1), Ceejaybe (16/1), Parish Star (40/1), What An Icon (125/1)

Fairly useful on the Flat in France, LIARI is one to note on hurdling debut having joined a yard which has won this race twice in the last 3 renewals. The son of Cracksman is taken to add to Paul Nicholls' tally in the contest, with Balboa setting a clear standard of those who have previously run over hurdles. Whispering Royal is also considered for last year's winning trainer.