17:15 Chepstow

Friday 25 July 2025

All17:1517:5018:2519:0019:3520:1020:45

Robert Stephens Castle Farm Racing Club Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 23.49s

(2)

Dark Sun¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Laura Coughlan⁽³⁾| T: J Bennett| OR: 64

10/1

Back to best when second at Lingfield, then third of 8 in 7f handicap at Brighton (12/1) 17 days ago, running creditably. Looks ready for a step up to a mile so will need a good pace kept to this trip.

Form: 5/4-9423

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(1)

Classy Clarets^h,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 64| D

11/1

Won at Wolverhampton (33/1) in May and continued the good work when second at Lingfield. Last of 12 in handicap at Doncaster (28/1) 28 days ago, hanging badly left when weakening. Isn't an easy ride.

Form: 900120

(6)

Autumn Rose¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Molly Gunn⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 64| D

12/1

Won at Wolverhampton in February but ninth of 14 in 7f handicap at Chester (25/1) 14 days ago, underperforming on return to turf. May have needed that first start for 5 months and better expected now.

Form: 6-32169

(7)

Johnjay²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Joe Leavy| T: R A Teal| OR: 61

5/2

Cashed in on a career-low mark at Brighton over 8f in May. Fifth of 8 in 8f handicap at Ffos Las (9/2) 26 days ago, running moderately without obvious excuse. Drops to 7f for first time since juvenile days and he's dangerous if bouncing back.

Form: 330-315

(4)

Romanovich^b¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: William Carson| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 60| CD

11/2

Three-time C&D winner who finished fifth of 10 in handicap at Kempton (8f AW) (14/1) 16 days ago, taking strong hold. Return to this venue in his favour.

Form: 727145

(5)

Soi Dao¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Gina Mangan| T: A Wintle| OR: 60| C

11/4

Exposed handicapper who finished second of 12 at Bath over 8f (4/1) in April. Third of 13 in handicap at Chepstow over 8f (10/3) 14 days ago, running creditably with a claimer aboard. Drops back to 7f and has won at this course previously, though is without a win in the last 16 races.

Form: 425463

(3)

Ashford Hill⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Isobelle Chalmers⁽⁷⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 48| D

5/1

Respectable efforts this year, fifth of 10 in handicap at Goodwood over 6f (5/1) 49 days ago, failing to keep straight when off the bridle in a higher grade than this. Should be a factor.

Form: 845645

Forecasts

Johnjay (5/2), Soi Dao (11/4), Ashford Hill (5/1), Romanovich (11/2), Dark Sun (10/1), Classy Clarets (11/1), Autumn Rose (12/1)

JOHNJAY cashed in on a reduced mark at Brighton and while he was a shade disappointing at Ffos Las recently, this looks a good chance for him to bounce back dropped in trip. Soi Dao hasn't been easy to win with but she ought to be a factor, with Ashford Hill also of interest.