16:17 Chepstow

Saturday 22 February 2025

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

Pertemps Network EMEA Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 5m 12.55s

C'est Different⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: S Thomas| OR: 92| D

4/7

Mere glimmers of ability in maiden/novice company but proved a different proposition upped in trip for his handicap bow at Carlisle (19.3f, good to soft) on Monday, a race he won with much more in hand than the margin of victory would suggest. Escapes a penalty and he's hard to oppose.

Form: 65471

Nube De Trueno²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 89

40/1

No great shakes in 3 runs at around this trip but certainly wouldn't be the first from his leading yard to improve for the switch to handicap company. One to note in the betting.

Form: 070

Archie Macdart⁴⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: Joe Ponting| OR: 88

80/1

Showed some ability in novice hurdles but safely held on what was effectively his handicap debut at Hereford back in October 2023. Subsequent absence is naturally a concern.

Form: 4/P24U6-

Arctic Saint^t⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 88WS

13/2

Maiden pointer who is also winless following 9 starts under Rules. On the upside, he has bettered what he showed in Ireland in 2 outings for present connections and, having found 21.8f too stiff a test at Fontwell last time (since undergone a wind op), this trip could prove ideal.

Form: 6-55934

Bredon Hill Dart^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 86

16/1

Never featured in bumpers and while there were some positives to take from his efforts in novice/maiden hurdles during second half of last term, he has finished nearer last than first in a couple of handicaps since returning to action in December. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 74F4-77

Noplacetobe⁶⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 84| BF

40/1

Irish point winner who appeared to be getting her act together in this sphere when third of 11 in a heavy-ground Ffos Las handicap (2¾m) in January 2023. Well held both subsequent starts, though, and opposable for new yard here following almost 2 years on the sidelines.

Form: 344309/

No No Espresso²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Reed| T: Harry Derham| OR: 81

12/1

Showed nothing for Charlie Longsdon in 2023 but there have been some positives to glean from his efforts for this yard, most recently coming home fifth of 16 in a Doncaster handicap (19.4f, good to soft) last month. Remains open to improvement and he makes each-way appeal.

Form: 9PP-785

Bridget Mary^t,p1⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 81| BF| DWS

6/1

Made winning chasing start in October but subsequently held back by jumping errors in that sphere and also lacked fluency back hurdling at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) last time. Since undergone a wind op and perhaps the drop back in trip and first-time cheekpieces here will help.

Form: 251433

Mini Yeats^t1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 80

16/1

Remains winless and while he performed with credit when fourth of 13 in a Taunton handicap on second start for this yard in December, his latest effort at Ffos Las was not so good. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 2P7-748

Regally Blonde^t,p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 74

18/1

Fair effort at Fakenham on New Year's Day but she was still beaten 23 lengths into third that day and subsequently suffered an heavier defeat following a second wind op at Huntingdon 16 days ago.

Form: 7-4P435

Non-Runners

English Willow²³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: Thomas Bellamy

Staff Sergeant Len³³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: Anthony Charlton J: James Best

Goddess Afrana³³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: N J Hawke J: David Noonan

Silver Chord⁶⁵

Weight: 10-6| Age: 7

T: C J Down J: Miss N Parker

Forecasts

C'est Different (4/7), Bridget Mary (6/1), Arctic Saint (13/2), Staff Sergeant Len (10/1), No No Espresso (12/1), English Willow (14/1), Mini Yeats (16/1), Bredon Hill Dart (16/1), Regally Blonde (18/1), Goddess Afrana (25/1), Nube De Trueno (40/1), Noplacetobe (40/1), Silver Chord (66/1), Archie Macdart (80/1)

C'EST DIFFERENT's margin of victory was only ¾-length at Carlisle on Monday but, in reality, he was value for a good deal more having been eased to a walk on the run-in. There should be better to come from this unexposed 5-y-o and, unpenalised for that, he is very difficult to oppose. The one who appeals most for forecast purposes is Arctic Saint, who has undergone a wind op since his latest start and this drop back in trip looks a good move. No No Espresso is third choice.