Good Ground Sets Up Cracking Evening at Chepstow
Friday evening's six-race card at Chepstow serves up a proper feast of National Hunt action, and with the ground riding mainly good after some timely irrigation, we're in for a treat. The Welsh venue's been kind to us punters lately, and with some decent prize money on offer across the Chepstow racecard, there's plenty to get the teeth into.
The going description of 'Good, Good to Firm in places' is music to my ears - it's that sweet spot where the best horses can show their true colours without the lottery of heavy ground. The track officials have done their homework with the irrigation, and with only light rain forecast, we shouldn't see any dramatic changes before the off.
Feature Race: Heavitree Brewery Handicap Hurdle
The evening's centrepiece is the 6:40 Heavitree Brewery Handicap Hurdle over 2m5f, and what a cracking little contest it shapes up to be. With £8,800 in prize money and a field of six seasoned campaigners, this Class 4 affair has all the ingredients for a proper battle.
Thank You Blue heads the weights off 117, and the nine-year-old veteran deserves plenty of respect under Lewis Stones. Jennie Candlish's charge has been knocking on the door in similar company, and the step up in trip should suit his staying style down to the ground. At his age, you'd want to see him prominent turning for home rather than coming from the clouds.
Got A Dream is the obvious danger off 115, and Sean Houlihan's booking for Nicky Martin catches the eye. This seven-year-old has been progressive this season and looks the type to thrive on this better ground. The trip's bang on his optimum, and he's got that crucial blend of class and handicap potential.
Ones to Watch Across the Card
Granpa Ger in the opener (5:10) looks a cut above his maiden hurdle rivals. The eight-year-old's rating of 105 tells its own story, and Lee Edwards knows his way around this track. Belinda Clarke's charge should have too much experience for the newcomers, though Our Guide for Jamie Snowden with Gavin Sheehan up could provide the main danger.
In the 5:40 handicap hurdle, Asian Spice catches the eye as a course and distance winner. Jimmy Frost's eight-year-old is well-handicapped off 100 and has Beau Morgan in the saddle. The good ground will suit this one down to the ground, and the C&D form gives him a crucial edge over his eleven rivals.
Imperial Jade for Charlie Longsdon is another to note in the same race. David Bass takes the ride on this consistent seven-year-old, and the step up to 2m2f looks ideal. At 100 in the weights, he's got solid each-way claims in what looks a competitive heat.
Ground Conditions Key to Success
This good ground is absolutely crucial to several of our key fancies tonight. Asian Spice in particular has shown his best form on similar conditions, while Thank You Blue's stamina will be better utilised on faster ground over the extended trip. The Welsh venue can ride quite testing when soft, but tonight's surface should allow the classier animals to dominate.
Square du Roule in the 6:10 contest over the extended 2m7f trip looks interesting as a course winner for Nigel Hawke. Bryan Carver's booking is significant, and this six-year-old's best form has come on similar ground conditions. At 95 in the handicap, he could outrun his odds in a race that might develop into a proper staying test.
The bumper finale at 7:40 is worth a watch for future stars, with Gavin Sheehan choosing Dunstall Star for Tom George. When Sheehan picks a ride in a bumper, you sit up and take notice - this five-year-old could be a smart recruit to the jumping game.
Best Bets and Final Thoughts
If I'm putting my money where my mouth is tonight, Thank You Blue in the feature race gets the nod as the evening's banker. The class is there, the trip suits, and the ground conditions are spot on. At his age, he won't get many more chances like this one.
Asian Spice represents cracking each-way value in the 5:40, while Granpa Ger should make short work of his maiden hurdle rivals in the opener. The good ground gives us a proper chance to assess these horses on their merits rather than getting bogged down in a stamina slog.
It's shaping up to be a grand evening's entertainment at Chepstow, and with the ground riding true, we should see some decent times posted. The Welsh venue always puts on a good show for the Friday evening crowd, and tonight looks no different. Get yourself down there or settle in with a pint - either way, you're in for a treat.
