12:45 Chepstow

Sunday 5 January 2025

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:2014:5515:30

Dunraven Windows / EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 4m 20.30s

Nowmelad³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 122| D

10/11

Made all in 2m maiden at Uttoxeter in October and novice at Hereford following month. LIkeable type and not ruled out despite conceding weight all round.

Form: 4-22131

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C'est Different²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas

14/1

22/1, well-held fifth of 11 in novice hurdle at Windsor (16f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 65

Carismatic Soldier³¹

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

6/5

Failed to land the odds but shaped well when second of 6 in novice hurdle at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) on his hurdles bow 31 days ago. Holds leading claims with more to offer.

Form: 2-2

Cornish Comedy^h1²⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn

25/1

10/3, fourth of 7 in bumper at Uttoxeter 9 months ago on his sole run for Mel Rowley. Hooded for yard/hurdles bow and can't be discounted.

Form: 4-

Following Chapter⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph

40/1

Shaped as if in need of the experience on debut when ninth of 13 in maiden hurdle here (19.4f, good) 44 days ago, racing freely. Can take a step forward.

Form: 9

Head Over Hinds²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: M Comley

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 100/1, first run since leaving Gary Moore when third of 10 in novice hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Needs to build on it.

Form: 050P-3

Magna Victor²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph

33/1

Raced freely when fifth of 8 in bumper at Perth 7 months ago. More is needed on his hurdles debut.

Form: 6-5

On The Go²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon

40/1

Twice-raced maiden, a well-held sixth of 13 in novice hurdle at Southwell (15.8f, good to soft) 20 days ago. More is required.

Form: F6

Out Out²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

50/1

Shaped well when runner-up in bumper at Warwick in October 2023 but has offered little both hurdling starts 14 months later. In good hands but has a lot to prove.

Form: 2-00

Pooley's Promise³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Potter

125/1

150/1, ninth of 11 in bumper at Ludlow 32 days ago. Lot more is required on her hurdles debut.

Form: 9

Non-Runners

Boston Boy²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

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

Forecasts

Nowmelad (10/11), Carismatic Soldier (6/5), Boston Boy (5/1), C'est Different (14/1), Cornish Comedy (25/1), Magna Victor (33/1), Following Chapter (40/1), On The Go (40/1), Out Out (50/1), Head Over Hinds (50/1), Pooley's Promise (125/1)

CARISMATIC SOLDIER made a promising start when runner-up in a Leicester novice and looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to go one better here. Dual-scorer Nowmelad appeals as the one to chase home Olly Murphy's son of Soldier of Fortune, with hurdling-newcomer Cornish Comedy and the unexposed Following Chapter the pick of the rest for minor honours.