14:32 Chepstow

Saturday 22 February 2025

All13:2514:0014:3215:0715:4416:1716:52

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 6m 16.81s

Maximilian⁶⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142| D

18/1

Very smart novice hurdler last seen finishing an excellent second in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree back in April 2023, only denied by a game winner. Clearly had issues since and market should reveal what's expected following 680-day absence.

Form: 111312/

Anna Bunina^p1,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 137

25/1

Likeable mare was below form after 3 months off when finishing eighth in a Pertemps Qualifier at Musselburgh. Entitled to be sharper (with cheekpieces fitted) but needs to improve to hit the frame and secure a place in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (where she finished a respectable 7th in 2024).

Form: 0-38528

Minella Missile¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 136| C| D

13/2

Course winner was a promising novice hurdler (won Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham's November meeting in 2023) but had problems since. Needed reappearance run last month before struggling (pulled up) over an inadequate trip 2 weeks ago. Fairly handicapped and won't lack for fitness on return to 3m.

Form: 1111-9P

Lossiemouth^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P Gundry| OR: 134

11/1

Three-time hurdle winner for Tom Lacey at the end of 2021 before long absence, but showed he retains plenty of ability on two starts for current stable this year. Creditable fourth of 12 at Exeter 13 days ago giving the impression he is still working his way to peak fitness. Not dismissed.

Form: 1115/44

Guard The Moon⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| BF

16/5

Successful on reappearance/handicap debut this season and continued in rich form finishing runner-up twice (despite errant jumping) latest at Newbury (20.5f) behind Impose Toi, having briefly looked in control on the run-in. Return to longer trip/more testing ground could bring out more improvement.

Form: 22-1122

Firestream^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 126| C

6/1

Made successful hurdling debut at this venue in November 2022. Confirmed his promise as a hurdler on return from near 2-year absence when landing a 15-runner handicap at Wincanton last month, made mistakes but showed a good attitude. Lightly-raced and claims if he can build on promising comeback.

Form: 14124/1

J'Ai Froid^v³¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Reed| T: L Morgan| OR: 126| D

33/1

Far from disgraced in big field handicap (eighth of 21) at the Aintree Festival on final run of last season. Tough ask for a veteran performer to win this on the back of a 10-month absence, and this may be a stepping stone to a crack at Festival handicaps in the spring.

Form: 812148-

Gold In The Rivers^t1⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 125WS

18/1

Steadily progressive for Gordon Elliott and improved for pipe-opener on stable debut when fourth in a Pertemps qualifier at Carlisle in December, travelling well but not finding much. Subsequent wind surgery/addition of tongue-tie may help produce a stronger finishing effort. Not ruled out.

Form: 421-244

Icare Allen^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

10/1

Has looked rejuvenated at points this season but isn't the most consistent, followed handicap win at Uttoxeter in November with a lacklustre effort at Carlisle the following month. Bounced back to form when second at Catterick 22 days ago and is still one to be interested in off his current mark.

Form: 987172

Ikarak³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

4/1

2-2 over hurdles for this yard and shaped as well as ever when landing an 11-runner handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, good to soft) 33 days ago, travelling better than most and asserting in the home straight. He should enjoy this stamina test and must enter calculations in his current form.

Form: 168-1P1

Classic Concorde^p⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 122| CD

25/1

Veteran performer won this race last year but hasn't been in the same form this season, running poorly when pulled-up at Ffos Las last month. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 1P7-09P

Rickety Bridge⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 115| D

10/1

Successful on hurdles debut when making all at Southwell (20.5f, heavy) in March but has underperformed this season, last seen when well-beaten here on Welsh National day. Given a break since and for all this greater stamina test should suit, he has a bit to prove from 1 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2451-37

Ballymagroarty Boy⁵⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 115| D

66/1

Veteran has performed with credit at this venue but has been below par on his 3 completed starts this season and others arrive with more obvious claims.

Form: 34-787F

Forecasts

Guard The Moon (16/5), Ikarak (4/1), Firestream (6/1), Minella Missile (13/2), Rickety Bridge (10/1), Icare Allen (10/1), Lossiemouth (11/1), Gold In The Rivers (18/1), Maximilian (18/1), Classic Concorde (25/1), Anna Bunina (25/1), J'Ai Froid (33/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (66/1)

A half-brother to a smart staying chaser, we may yet see the best of GUARD THE MOON over this trip, and he can go one better than when finishing runner-up to a smart handicapper from the Nicky Henderson stable last time. Lossiemouth has shown much promise since returning from a long absence, he heads the dangers ahead of Icare Allen who is still well-treated if on a going day, and Ikarak who has looked as good as ever over hurdles for the Olly Murphy team.