A look back at Chepstow

 

For many Chepstow signifies the return of the Jumps season proper, always good when you start to get those tracker notifications coming through for the horses who fought out last seasons main festivals making the much anticipated return to the tracks.

Chepstow’s two day meeting started off with the Persian War Novices Hurdle which was won in impressive style by last seasons Champion Bumper 3rd Thyme Hill, the Philip Hobbs trained 5 year old was settled in midfield for the most of the race, then moved into 2nd between the final two hurdles before, just leading jumping the last, he then finished well under pressure from Richard Johnson beating Fiddlerontheroof by 2 lengths, Thyme Hill certainly could be one of many horses to follow from the Champion Bumper with the 1st and 2nd waiting to make their reappearance. He’s an ante post price 25/1 for the Supreme and 20/1 for the Ballymore.

In the Novices chase it was good to see the return of Lisnagar Oscar one of the better staying novice hurdlers from last year make his debut over the bigger obstacles, he was sent off a short priced fav, he was being gently encouraged, but looking full of running when taking up the lead over the 2nd last, before making a mistake and guessing at the last allowing the Skelton trained Ardlethen to who made the better jump get his head in front and go on to win, you’d have to think if Lisnagar Oscar jumped that last well he would of won though, that being said both of these horses look like nice recruits for the chasing division this season. 

Day two saw another interesting novice chase this time between just the 3 runners, Reserve Tank being one of them, much is expected of the Tizzard gelding after going from strength to strength last season and looking like one who would come on leaps and bounds for going over a fence, but on debut it wasn’t to be as he was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Jarveys Plate, he himself didn’t jump all his fences with great confidence but can only get better with experience, he was settled last of the three before making a move 2 out, seemed to find plenty after the last finishing very well, this race like Fridays novice chase also saw the leader make a mistake at the last, but with this one its hard to be sure that Reserve Tank would of won if it wasn’t for the mistake considering how well Jarvys Plate finished the race out, Also cant forget Posh Trish who herself ran with credit in her first race over obstacles against the boys, certainly will be picking up races this season.

The highlight of the day was the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurlde, this was won in impressive style by Flash The Steel for Dan and Harry Skelton, he was settled right out the back of the field for the majority of the race, before making eye catching headway around the bend, was then right upsides the then leader Imperial Aura over 2 out, then moving 4 lengths clear before the last where he fiddled his way over it keeping on well on the flat to win. It’s hard to know where Dan Skelton will put him next but he’s certainly one worth keeping an eye on this season. Imperial Aura is another worth watching he has some decent form to his name from his bumpers and can see him going well in some handicaps this season.

Some races to keep an eye out for this week are:

2:55 Wetherby - Wednesday 

Novice chase which currently has entires including one of my horses to follow Beakstown & Sam Spinner the Stayers hurdle 2nd and 5th in the last 2 renewals.

3:45 Market Rasen - Saturday 

Another Novice chase, early entries include 3 for Champion trainer Paul Nicholls which are Getaway Trump, Grand Sandy & Malaya, the other stand out entry would be the Supreme Novice Hurdle 2nd Thomas Darby.

Thanks for reading.