A Proper Sunday Afternoon at the Welsh Track
Right then, Sunday afternoon at Chepstow and we've got six races of proper National Hunt action to get stuck into. The going is described as GOOD though they're saying it's still a bit 'dead' in places - typical Welsh honesty there, none of this fancy clerk of the course nonsense. That should suit the stamina types and the course specialists, which is music to my ears when I'm looking through today's Chepstow racecard.
The feature race is that Class 3 handicap chase over three miles and six furlongs - a proper staying test that'll sort the men from the boys. Seven runners signed up for what could be a right old slog, and with £16.5k up for grabs, the connections will be taking this seriously.
The Marathon Men Take Centre Stage
That 15:02 handicap chase is where the afternoon's real action lies, and I'm immediately drawn to Iron Bridge for the O'Neill team. This ten-year-old has been there and done it, rated 135 and with Jonjo O'Neill Jr. in the plate. The combination of a proper staying trip and good ground should suit him down to the ground.
Egbert for Christian Williams catches the eye too - Harry Cobden wouldn't be making the trip to Wales for nothing, and this nine-year-old has been knocking on the door. Rated 132, he's got the class to be competitive here.
Don't overlook Rivers Corner either. Joe Tizzard's eight-year-old is rated 127 and has Brendan Powell doing the steering - that's a combination that knows how to get the job done around here. The trip will suit and the ground won't be a problem.
Mares Get Their Moment
The 15:37 mares' chase over three miles is a Queen Boudicca qualifier, which adds a bit of spice to proceedings. Five runners but some quality in there, and I'm particularly taken with Ostrava du Berlais for Venetia Williams. Rated 99 and with Charlie Deutsch aboard, she's got the class edge here.
Fortunefavorsdbold can't be ignored though - Christian Williams and Harry Cobden again, and this eight-year-old has been running some decent races. The slightly longer trip might just unlock a bit more from her.
Juvenile Hurdle Provides Puzzle
The 16:12 four-year-old hurdle is one of those races that could go any number of ways, with nine of the ten runners unrated. Mwabani stands out like a sore thumb with a rating of 116 - that's a different league to most of these, and Mrs Jane Williams knows how to get them ready.
Dakota Star is the other one with a rating (100) and Philip Hobbs has a decent record with these types. The good ground will suit and the trip looks ideal for a four-year-old stepping up in class.
Course Specialists and Ground Conditions
This good ground with dead patches is classic Chepstow - it rewards the genuine stayers and those who can handle a bit of cut in the ground. The track's undulating nature means stamina is at a premium, particularly over the longer trips.
In that handicap hurdle at 16:47, keep an eye on Kayf Dancer - another one for the Hobbs team with course form marked up. Philip Hobbs has a tremendous record at this track and knows exactly what it takes to win here.
Court In A Storm for Kim Bailey has both course and distance form, which is like gold dust in a competitive handicap. Tom Bellamy knows the horse well and the trip should be spot on.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Right, let me cut through the waffle and give you the straight goods. Iron Bridge in the feature chase is my main fancy - the trip, ground, and jockey booking all scream value to me. He's got the class and experience to handle this company.
Mwabani in the juvenile hurdle looks like he's dropped in from a different planet rating-wise. Unless there's something seriously wrong, he should have too much class for this lot.
For the mares' chase, Ostrava du Berlais gets the nod. Venetia Williams has her string in great form and this looks a nice opportunity for the eight-year-old to get her head in front.
The going conditions favor the genuine stayers today, so don't be afraid to back horses who need every yard of these trips. Chepstow on good ground is all about stamina and class - and that's exactly what we're looking for this Sunday afternoon.
