18:10 Chepstow

Friday 26 April 2024

All16:3917:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:15

Dunraven Windows Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:11 | Winning time: 4m 50.12s

Brave Seasca²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 138

18/1

It's been a struggle since his latest success at Aintree in 2022 and while there were glimmers of a revival over 2m here last time, others make more appeal.

Form: 0PP-6P5

Diego Du Charmil^t³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| C

9/1

Latest success over fences was gained in a listed handicap at Ascot back in November 2019. Probably didn't stay 3m on comeback run at that Berkshire course last month but he shaped as though plenty of ability remains intact and he's a major player back down in trip here.

Form: 9525/2-6

Tightenourbelts²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

6/4

Maiden hurdle winner who made the perfect start to his chase career in a Ludlow novice handicap (2½m, soft) in November. Improved again when third in a Newbury Grade 2 the following month and while he hasn't reproduced that form in 3 subsequent starts, he will be a threat if bouncing back.

Form: 1-134P4

Killer Clown^t¹⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130

9/1

On a good mark based on peak form but he's not the most reliable of performers and yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Tightenourbelts.

Form: 5-3P557

Opening Bid¹⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 125| DWS

22/1

Fairly-useful chaser who bagged his fifth win of 2023 when readily taking 4-runner handicap at Exeter (19.2f, good) in October. Pulled up in a Grade 2 Wincanton novice the following month and absent since (has undergone a wind op in the meantime).

Form: 15121P

Gloire D'Athon^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 125

8/1

Enjoyed a fine campaign over fences last season but he was well held both starts following a break in November, and again ran poorly back from another period of absence at Market Rasen recently.

Form: 1-17P5P

Northern Bound¹⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 123| D

15/2

Creditable third on first run following a wind op at Wetherby (19.4f, good) in October but failed to reproduce that level of form at Newbury next time. Opposable, for all that he slipped to a dangerous mark.

Form: 655434

Fox Pro³⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 118

22/1

Belatedly opened chase account when landing a 7-runner Newton Abbot handicap (21f, soft) 12 months ago. Wellbeing has to be taken on trust given that this is his first run since that breakthrough success but he remains on a good mark up just 1 lb.

Form: 276/331-

Sageburg County^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

7/2

Made a winning start over fences at Market Rasen last spring before doubling his tally in this sphere at Southwell in November. Below par next 2 starts but latest third at Ascot (21f, good to soft) was a step back in the right direction and he's not discounted.

Form: 1P1823

Forecasts

Tightenourbelts (6/4), Sageburg County (7/2), Northern Bound (15/2), Gloire D'Athon (8/1), Killer Clown (9/1), Diego Du Charmil (9/1), Brave Seasca (18/1), Opening Bid (22/1), Fox Pro (22/1)

There were positives to glean from DIEGO DU CHARMIL's comeback run when tried over 3m at Ascot and he is appealing with that under his belt and back over a more suitable trip. Tightenourbelts is feared most ahead of Sageburg County, while Fox Pro would also be in with a shout if resuming in top form following a year off.