13:40 Chepstow

Wednesday 27 December 2023

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1014:5015:2515:55

Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 6m 17.52s

Dolphin Square^b¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

11/1

Boasts a good strike rate over fences/hurdles and he stepped up on his comeback run (in first-time blinkers) when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Sandown (23.5f) 18 days ago. Eased further in weights ahead of this but others make greater appeal on balance.

Form: 4080-94

Mario De Pail^p⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127

14/1

Fairly useful but error-prone maiden handicap chaser who has made the frame both starts this season. On a favourable mark if this return to hurdling has positive effect.

Form: F23F/44

Uncle Bert²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124

11/5

Resumed with victory in 2m4f Perth handicap in September before creditable fourth in Silver Trophy here a month later. Not disgraced when fifth at Newbury latest and whilst his mark looks about right, this longer trip could help now.

Form: 1P-14F5

J'Ai Froid^p³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J Kington| T: L Morgan| OR: 122| D

14/1

Useful handicap hurdler at his best who capitalised on a reduced mark when going in at Leicester last month. Back up 2 lb but he's respected with the return to this longer trip holding no fears.

Form: 05-5P81

Tanganyika¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118

3/1

Let reappearance run behind and justified good support in the process when accounting for 5-rivals at Bangor (23f) 12 days ago. Up 4 lb but he's unexposed at staying trips and just the type his very much in-form yard could eke out further progress from.

Form: 416-451

Bells Of Peterboro^v1⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117| BF| CD

9/2

C&D winner. Consistent sort who shaped a lot better than his eighth place over fences might suggest in a big field at Cheltenham (25f) in October having sprawled on landing 2 out. Shade underwhelming at Lingfield latest but better showing certainly not ruled in first-time visor.

Form: 737-384

Crossing The Bar^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

25/1

Successful twice over hurdles at Plumpton (both at 25f) during second half of last season. Bit disappointing in a couple of chases in recent months but more like it when fourth over hurdles at Ffos Las (23.8f) 2 weeks ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 81-5564

Classic Concorde^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 112| D

7/1

Made it 4 wins in his last 5 starts when seeing off 6 rivals at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in November. A further 6 lb rise demands more improvement but can't be discounted in his current mood.

Form: 211141

Forecasts

Uncle Bert (11/5), Tanganyika (3/1), Bells Of Peterboro (9/2), Classic Concorde (7/1), Dolphin Square (11/1), J'Ai Froid (14/1), Mario De Pail (14/1), Crossing The Bar (25/1)

BELLS OF PETERBORO needs to shrug off a lesser display at Lingfield on his latest outing but his record around here is a solid one (won this race 2 years ago) and it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back equipped with a first-time visor. Bangor-winner Tanganyika remains unexposed at staying trips and he's feared, with J'ai Froid and Classic Concorde also in the mix.