16:15 Chepstow

Saturday 14 October 2023

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

Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 4m 55.93s

Watch The Weather^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Keith Donoghue| T: R P Cody| OR: 136| D

33/1

Proved better than ever on the back of a breathing op when landing a gamble in clear-cut style at Tipperary in July. Ran at least as well in defeat from a much higher mark at Galway since.

Form: 2090-14

Sonigino^t¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| C

6/1

Proved a different proposition back from wind surgery last season, making it 3 wins in 4 starts when just clinging on at Huntingdon (19.5f) in February. Signed of the campaign with an excellent third in a premier event at Aintree and should win more handicaps this term.

Form: 5/11813-

Molly Ollys Wishes^t¹⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

12/1

Admirable mare who was right back on song to defy a penalty at Wetherby on her return last season. No match for the up-and-coming Theatre Glory at Warwick in February and struggled to get competitive in big festival handicaps on her final 2 starts. Mark has eased though, and she's capable fresh.

Form: 135200-

Grand Roi^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 134

33/1

Disappointing on his second stint chasing this season, including for current yard, and needs a revival back over hurdles.

Form: 790-535

Twinjets¹⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| OR: 132

9/1

Dual bumper winner who resumed his progress after a 7-week break when brushing off a double penalty in 7-runner novice hurdle at Kempton (21f, heavy) in April, well on top finish. Has plenty about him physically so could improve further this season.

Form: 6112P1-

Blow Your Wad^t¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 134| D

9/2

Useful in bumpers without looking totally straightforward and resumed his progress over hurdles in no uncertain terms when winning a Newbury handicap (18.9f) in March, the combination of a tongue tie/breathing op working the oracle. Faced a stiff task back up in grade at Aintree on final outing.

Form: 4/21619-

Tronador⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

28/1

Ran much better than for a while over hurdles when third at Ballinrobe (16.8f) in July and best excused below-par effort on the Flat last time. Not dismissed for top Irish yard.

Form: P08/00-3

Sign From Above²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 131

12/1

Progressive on the Flat this year and confirmed previous promise in this sphere when landing a 17-runner maiden at Navan (20f) 4 weeks ago. Opening mark no gimme but dangerous to rule out.

Form: 46-331

American Sniper¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| C

14/1

Showed a good attitude when winning first 2 completed starts over hurdles and just touched off on handicap bow at Taunton (19f) in January. Couldn't quite repeat that form thereafter and others look better treated on his seasonal return.

Form: 32P263-

Uncle Bert¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125

11/4

Rangy gelding who made the most of a good opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles at Warwick (2m) in March before facing a stiff task up appreciably in grade at Aintree. Hit with a 9lb rise for landing a Perth handicap by 12 lengths on his reappearance but remains low mileage.

Form: 2241P-1

Benassi¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

6/1

Irish point recruit who had a good first season over hurdles, winning 2 of his 4 starts, including on handicap debut at Ffos Las (15.8f) in April. Sort to go on improving this term, especially now upped in trip.

Form: F3/3121-

Pyramid Place^h⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 121

20/1

Proved better than ever when scoring in the mud at Cartmel in July. Bounced back from a miserable effort on the Flat when third at Newton Abbot 6 weeks ago, though is probably high enough in the weights now, especially for a race of this nature.

Form: 4-51313

Always Busy²²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 116

66/1

Left his previous form well behind when taking 17-runner novice hurdle at Warwick (2m, soft) in November, readily. However, failed to repeat that effort both starts since, pulling up on handicap debut at Sandown in March. Others more persuasive.

Form: 26916P-

Colonial Empire²³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 113

18/1

Progressive last season, winning 3 times, including at Taunton (16.5f) on final outing when he showed an impressive turn of foot to settle matters early in the straight. Reappears from a 5 lb higher mark in a deeper race, but is still relatively lightly raced in handicaps, especially at this trip.

Form: 221161-

Non-Runners

Lallygag¹⁷⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Freddie Gingell

Anyharminasking³⁰⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Boombawn¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Galahad Threepwood¹⁷⁸

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Uncle Bert (11/4), Blow Your Wad (9/2), Sonigino (6/1), Benassi (6/1), Boombawn (8/1), Twinjets (9/1), Lallygag (10/1), Sign From Above (12/1), Molly Ollys Wishes (12/1), American Sniper (14/1), Anyharminasking (16/1), Colonial Empire (18/1), Pyramid Place (20/1), Tronador (28/1), Watch The Weather (33/1), Grand Roi (33/1), Galahad Threepwood (33/1), Always Busy (66/1)

A race typically packed full of interesting sorts. COLONIAL EMPIRE progressed well last season and is still relatively lightly raced in handicaps, especially at this trip, so he earns the vote from the foot of the weights for a yard that sent out a winner last weekend. Benassi can go on improving now upped in trip, while others to consider are Sonigino and Anyharminasking.