12:30 Chepstow

Friday 27 December 2024

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1014:5015:25

Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 4m 0.13s

King William Rufus⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 12-5| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 112| D

5/4

Likeable front-runner who put an end to a frustrating run of seconds when the dominant winner of what had looked a competitive handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m, good to soft) last Friday. A penalty may not stop him if showing up here in the same form.

Form: 12-2221

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Castelfort²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 114| CD

12/1

Showed fairly useful form when winning a pair of juvenile events last season but has struggled in his 2 handicaps, including the Gerry Feilden on Newbury reappearance 4 weeks ago. Still early days but bounce back needed.

Form: 21126-0

Bucephalus^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114| D

28/1

Came good in this sphere when taking a 2m Newbury handicap in March. Runner-up twice later in the spring but fell first back hurdling at Wincanton 3 weeks ago.

Form: 3812-2F

Farmer's Gamble^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 109

28/1

Exeter handicap hurdle winner in February 2023 but has found life tough since, pulling up for the third time in his last 4 starts on Southwell reappearance 24 days ago. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 10/PFP-P

Gold For Alec³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 109| D

7/1

Improved model in handicaps this autumn, building on his C&D second in October when landing 9-runner contest at Huntingdon (2m) 5 weeks ago. Needs considering up 5 lb given his low-mileage profile.

Form: 5444-21

Tommie Gun²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 108| D

10/1

Southwell maiden hurdle winner last December and has made the frame on 3 of 4 handicap hurdle starts, on the latest finishing 4 lengths third of 9 at Leicester (20.5f). Back down in trip.

Form: 634-F83

Royal King²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 108

22/1

Capable of fair form over fences in France. Better efforts over hurdles for new yard when second of 8 in 2m Wetherby handicap (heavy) 3 weeks ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: P4-5F42

Razzle Dazzle Boy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 107| D

17/2

Solid sixth of 15 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in November before coming good at Sandown (2m, soft) 3 weeks ago, showing a willing attitude to fend off one who ran well again when chasing home King William Rufus at Ascot last week.

Form: 52361

Korus²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 107WS

20/1

Half-brother to 4 winners. Shaped well in bumpers in the spring and placed in maiden/novice hurdles on return this winter. Unexposed now making a quick switch to handicaps.

Form: 3-623

Melton Mossy^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Eleanor Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 103| D

16/1

Gained a fourth win of a very productive first half of the season when striking under Eleanor Williams at Ludlow (21f, good to soft) in November. Two creditable placed efforts back there since and no reason why he won't give his running again.

Form: 416132

Double Click^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: William Featherstone⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 103| CD

11/1

Ended last season with a win and second over this C&D. Off 7 months, creditable third of 9 at Leicester (2m, heavy) 26 days ago. Respected back at a venue which suits.

Form: 2412-63

Passing Kate²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 98| D

10/1

Gained third handicap hurdle win (all on soft/heavy) when comfortably seeing off 5 rivals on 2m Leicester reappearance 3 weeks ago. Hit with an 8 lb rise for winning an uncompetitive race but ground conditions should be in her favour again.

Form: 31323-1

Hedera Park^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 96| C

80/1

Benefitted from a patient ride when winning 18-runner course handicap (19.5f, good to soft) in November. Creditable third at Taunton (19f, good) the following week but below par twice since. A return to Chepstow needs to spark a revival.

Form: 8713P4

Demilion^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 93

50/1

Fairly useful handicapper at best on Flat (stays 12.5f) for Charlie Johnston but ended 2023 out of sorts. Yet to get near that level over hurdles. not showing enough when fifth in handicaps in recent weeks to be positive about his prospects here.

Form: 9-4455

Non-Runners

She's My Shadow²¹⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: R L Llewellyn J: Liam Harrison

Forecasts

King William Rufus (5/4), Gold For Alec (7/1), Razzle Dazzle Boy (17/2), Tommie Gun (10/1), Passing Kate (10/1), Double Click (11/1), Castelfort (12/1), Melton Mossy (16/1), Korus (20/1), She's My Shadow (20/1), Royal King (22/1), Bucephalus (28/1), Farmer's Gamble (28/1), Demilion (50/1), Hedera Park (80/1)

If KING WILLIAM RUFUS is in the same form as when dominating another big-field handicap at Ascot last Friday he'll likely take a bit of pegging back. Gold For Alec has made a positive start to his handicap career in recent months and is second choice ahead of fellow 4-y-o Razzle Dazzle Boy, whose latest Sandown defeat of Fasol looks solid.