16:25 Chepstow

Thursday 21 March 2024

All14:1514:4515:1515:5016:2517:00

Fixing Point Roofing And Cladding Supplies Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 30.01s

The Lion Dancer^v1³²

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 97| C| D

40/1

Four-time winner over fences for Charlie Mann who produced his best effort for some time when making a winning return from 9 months off at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) on sole start last season. However, dropped away quickly both starts this season after another absence. Change of headgear.

Form: 23P/1-PP

Leading Swoop⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 97

11/5

Fair maiden hurdler who was all the better for return when third at Lingfield. Decent start over fences when second at Fontwell and entitled to come on for that.

Form: 542-P32

Puddlesinthepark^p1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 96| D

7/2

Fair hurdles winner who has shown similar form in this sphere this term, third of 5 in handicap chase at Plumpton (25.7f, soft, 7/2) 17 days ago, no extra run-in. Headgear on 1st time. Not taken lightly eased another 2 lb and back down in trip.

Form: 0-23733

Twilight Glory^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 93| CD

5/2

Off the mark in a handicap chase at Lingfield last season and back to form when doubling his career tally over C&D in January. Backed that up when defying 6 lb rise in clear-cut fashion here (26.2f, heavy) last month and hat-trick looks entirely possible.

Form: 3P-5P11

Shady B^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 87

11/2

Minor promise in trio of starts over hurdles at around 2m this winter. More of an impact sent chasing/handicapping when second at Leicester (20.1f, heavy) 2 weeks ago and should have more to offer stepping up in trip.

Form: 22-0942

Robsam¹⁰¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 85

28/1

Modest maiden hurdler. Lame when pulled up in handicap hurdle when last seen in 2021/22. Makes chase debut. Best watched.

Form: 73292P/

Vetoncall^p⁵¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-5| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: A E Jones| OR: 74| D

12/1

Low-mileage veteran who made a winning return at Fakenham last season and signed that campaign off with a creditable third in a handicap over 26.2f at Chepstow in April. Well held after 9 months off there 51 days ago, however.

Form: 17253-P

Earcomesbob¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Pritchard| OR: 68| D

40/1

Pulled up on 5 of his last 6 starts and it's hard to envisage him sparking back to life after a number of sour efforts. 3 lb out of handicap.

Form: P4P-PPP

Forecasts

Leading Swoop (11/5), Twilight Glory (5/2), Puddlesinthepark (7/2), Shady B (11/2), Vetoncall (12/1), Robsam (28/1), The Lion Dancer (40/1), Earcomesbob (40/1)

TWILIGHT GLORY is clearly thriving all of a sudden and the manner of last month's win here suggests he can complete a course hat-trick. Leading Swoop and Shady B both made good starts to their chase careers when runner-up at Fontwell and Leicester respectively, so they head the dangers.