Pace / Draw Angles:

• Two confirmed front-runners in Letter Of The Law (stall 1) and Romanovich (stall 16) – they may take opposite wings and set a fair pace.
• Stalls 8–12 usually a good spot in big-field Chepstow miles; closers can get into it late.
• Race should be run at a good gallop, which will suit strong travellers/closers like Ajrad and Johnjay.

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Strongest Contenders

• Ajrad (9st4lb, OR 60, Millman/Edmunds) – Proven – 3-3 over C&D this summer, latest wide-margin win off 7lb lower. Up another 7lb but thriving and perfectly suited to setup.
• Johnjay (9st5lb, OR 61, Teal/Hutchinson) – Progressive – unlucky dropped to 7f last time, big-field mile ideal; has form behind today’s rivals but weighted to reverse.
• Onslow Gardens (9st9lb, OR 65, Frost/Voikhansky) – Promising – maiden but two unlucky defeats, especially Nottingham latest; only 1lb higher and looks to have a win in him.

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Main Dangers

• Dappled Light (9st5lb, OR 61, Wintle/Marsh) – Proven C&D performer; mark is testing him now but excuses last time when ran loose, still a danger if settling.
• Diddy Man (9st11lb, OR 67, Faulkner/Havlin) – Capable – strong Doncaster second to a subsequent winner; not always consistent and prefers some cut.
• Soi Dao (9st10lb, OR 66, Wintle/Langley) – Proven at Chepstow; only just held by Romanovich before gaining compensation last time. Still competitive off revised mark.

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Interesting Outsiders

• Rival (8st11lb, OR 53, Flint/Gale) – consistent at this level, meets Ajrad on 7lb better terms from last time, though winner had plenty in hand. Place squeak.
• Lhebayeb (9st3lb, OR 59, Price/Greatrex) – multiple wins this year, but wants softer ground.
• Romanovich (9st7lb, OR 63, O’Shea/Carson) – front-runner from wide draw; big effort needed from career-high mark but could be a pace nuisance.

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Runner Scores (Suitability out of 10)

• Ajrad – 9/10 (course lover, thriving, weight rise only concern)
• Johnjay – 9/10 (strong candidate, track ideal, well handicapped)
• Onslow Gardens – 8/10 (maiden tag only negative, otherwise profile screams winner-in-waiting)
• Dappled Light – 7/10 (C&D wins, needs things to go right)
• Soi Dao – 7/10 (honest type, not much room off current mark)
• Diddy Man – 7/10 (good last run, but patchy profile and wants rain)
• Rival – 6/10 (in form, place claims but not winning often)
• Romanovich – 5/10 (likely pace angle, might fade late)
• Spirit Of The Bay – 5/10 (trip looks sharp these days, class drop helps)
• Dovey Moon – 4/10 (hard to trust, probably flattered by earlier win)
• Lhebayeb – 4/10 (needs cut, no margin for error off this mark)
• Port Noir – 4/10 (veteran, consistent but unlikely winner)
• Too Much Trevor – 3/10 (regressive maiden)
• Fact Or Fable – 3/10 (quirky veteran, unreliable)
• Letter Of The Law – 3/10 (likely pacesetter, may fold late)
• Sangara – 2/10 (inexperienced, out of depth)

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Private Tissue (Fair Odds)

• Ajrad 7/2
• Johnjay 9/2
• Onslow Gardens 6/1
• Dappled Light 10/1
• Soi Dao 10/1
• Diddy Man 12/1
• Rival 14/1
• Romanovich 20/1
• Others 25/1+

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Each-Way Angles

With 16 runners and 4 places on offer, Onslow Gardens (around 7/1) makes strong EW sense – a maiden but has shaped better than bare results, and unlucky not to win last time.

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Summary & Smart Play

A strong Chepstow Mile Final with pace from both sides should ensure a fair test. Ajrad is thriving and hard to oppose, but the value may lie with Johnjay, who is well treated back at a mile, and Onslow Gardens, who’s been knocking on the door.

Smart Play:

• Win Bet – Johnjay (well set up by conditions, weighted to reverse form with key rivals)
• Each-Way Saver – Onslow Gardens (unlucky maiden, progressive, ideal test)
• Respect – Ajrad (course specialist, but 7lb rise stiffens task)