This response details the analysis for the eight races scheduled at Chepstow, presented in chronological order, drawing exclusively from the provided sources.
1. 12.30 Heckler & Koch – No Compromise Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie (1st) | Clear Top Rated | P Nicholls | Harry Cobden |
| Rocking Man (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | Sam Thomas | Dylan Johnston (3) |
Recent Form and Comments
Gillespie
- Recent Form: 3175 1-.
- Comments: Is a brother to the smart staying chaser, The Big Breakaway. Had wind operations either side of his defeat of five rivals in a heavy-ground bumper at Ffos Las. He ran with a tongue tie (w t). His trainer, P. Nicholls, described him as “one to follow in this week’s Stable Tour”.
Rocking Man
- Recent Form: 5084 122/.
- Comments: Is returning from a long absence (588 days). Showed “heaps of promise” in his three previous bumpers behind talented opposition, particularly running second to the smart Queensbury Boy at this track. He has only raced on soft or heavy ground.
Spotlight Verdict
An interesting maiden with plenty of potential on display. Gillespie (second choice) has to be feared given the trainer’s complimentary comments about his future. Carlenrig, My Own Lovely Lee and Kastellion are respected recruits from the pointing scene. The Two Harrys is another to consider, but if ROCKING MAN can perform to the level he achieved in his bumpers, he may be capable of defying his lengthy absence, especially as his yard is running well.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 4-3-34, 5yo 5-14-66 (highest wins/places), 6yo 1-2-21, 7yo 0-0-4, 8yo 0-0-1, 9yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites: 1201641161.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Paul Nicholls 2-1-10, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 1-1-2, Dan Skelton 0-2-3, Jeremy Scott 0-1-3.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie (1st TimeWise) | Bumper winner on heavy ground; trainer highly rates him; trained by P. Nicholls, who has a strong record in this race type (2 wins). | Has had two wind operations. | High rating and stable confidence make him a key contender, despite having had wind ops. |
| Rocking Man (2nd TimeWise) | Excellent bumper promise, including running well at this track; stable is in good form; proven on softer ground. | Returning from a very long absence (588 days). | If he returns at the same level as his previous form, he is a major player. |
2. 1.00 Heckler & Koch – No Compromise Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Queen (1st) | Clear Top Rated | D Pipe | Jack Tudor |
| Kripticjim (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | Joe Tizzard | Brendan Powell |
Recent Form and Comments
Kingston Queen
- Recent Form: 5136 32113-.
- Comments: Won her only point. Accrued plenty of useful experience in bumpers, including winning a Listed race at Market Rasen and placing in a Grade 2 for mares. All bumper runs were on good to soft ground. She is rated as an “above-average recruit to hurdling”.
Kripticjim
- Recent Form: 4179 F/421-.
- Comments: Showed plenty of positives in his first two bumpers, subsequently winning impressively at Exeter (good to soft). He looks like a “nice prospect”.
Spotlight Verdict
Not only did KINGSTON QUEEN accrue a nice bit of experience in bumpers, but she performed to a smart level, and her pointing background suggests she’ll be equally effective over hurdles. This is a competitive race, however; Kripticjim performed well in bumpers, Necronaut is expected to progress over further, and both Modern Man and Tales Of Bravery are respected point recruits.
Race Statistics
- Note: Specific statistics for this division are not separated in the source, so we use the overall Maiden Hurdle statistics provided in the card.
- Age Groups (w-pl-r, 12:30 stats used): 4yo 4-3-34, 5yo 5-14-66, 6yo 1-2-21, 7yo 0-0-4, 8yo 0-0-1, 9yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites (12:30 stats used): 1201641161.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r, 12:30 stats used): Paul Nicholls 2-1-10, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 1-1-2, Dan Skelton 0-2-3, Jeremy Scott 0-1-3.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Queen (1st TimeWise) | Proven ability at a high level in bumpers (Listed winner, Grade 2 placed); pointing experience suggests suitability for hurdles. | Carries less weight (10-11) than the male runners. | Highly rated as an above-average recruit and sets a smart standard based on previous form. |
| Kripticjim (2nd TimeWise) | Strong bumper form, recently won well; viewed as a nice prospect. | Faces tough opposition in a competitive maiden. | Expected to be among the chief dangers given his successful step up in grade previously. |
3. 1.30 Jaltek Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Black Robe (1st) | Clear Top Rated | Fergal O’Brien | Tom Broughton |
| Let’s Sail Away (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | T Lacey | Cameron Iles (3) |
Recent Form and Comments
Chief Black Robe
- Recent Form: 1716 435255.
- Comments: A four-time chase winner. His wins have come over distances between 2m5f and 3m on good ground. He recently finished fifth of six back over fences at Market Rasen. He is considered to be on a “dangerous mark” and may be able to build on his latest performance.
Let’s Sail Away
- Recent Form: 1379 91-223.
- Comments: A winner of a point-to-point (2m4f, good to soft) and a handicap hurdle (2m2f, good). He has performed consistently well this season across his first three chase starts. His run at Kelso suggested that this step up in trip (to 2m7f 136y) would be beneficial.
Spotlight Verdict
Rebecca Curtis won this last season, so a chance is taken on MILAN AC on his first run for 12 months, as he is a lightly raced point runner-up who may improve tackling fences. Two-time chase winner Henry Box Brown is feared most, with point winner Ringsend John next on the list, ahead of Let’s Sail Away.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 5yo 0-1-1, 6yo 1-3-11, 7yo 0-5-15, 8yo 3-1-11 (highest wins), 9yo 2-1-12, 10yo 0-1-5, 11yo 0-0-1, 12yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites: 6P1111.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Grace Harris 1-0-1, Rebecca Curtis 1-0-3, Tom Lacey 0-2-2.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Black Robe (1st TimeWise) | Proven over fences (four wins); on a potentially dangerous handicap mark; prefers good ground. | Latest performance was poor (5th of 6). | Has the experience and rating to bounce back, but needs to improve on his recent run. |
| Let’s Sail Away (2nd TimeWise) | Consistent form in novice chases this season; expected to benefit from the step up in distance. | Still seeking his first chase win. | Trainer Tom Lacey has a 0-2-2 record in this race, suggesting good placement; highly competitive chance based on recent run shaping up for this trip. |
4. 2.00 Angela Nettlefold Memorial ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swingin Safari (1st) | Clear Top Rated | P F Nicholls | Harry Cobden |
| The Blue Room (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | Olly Murphy | Sean Bowen |
Recent Form and Comments
Swingin Safari
- Recent Form: 5179 2/144-.
- Comments: Won a bumper on stable debut a year ago. Concluded last season with a very credible fourth in a Grade 2 Aintree bumper on good ground. Had a wind operation
over the summer break. Considered a “good prospect for novice hurdles”.
The Blue Room
- Recent Form: 5402 2/241-.
- Comments: A stoutly bred 5yo who achieved a win in a Ffos Las bumper (good to soft) in April. May be better suited to longer trips, but is still capable of making his presence felt on his hurdling debut.
Spotlight Verdict
Fourth in a hot Grade 2 bumper on his latest outing, SWINGIN SAFARI is taken to make a winning hurdle debut. Came From Nowhere, despite a long absence, was placed in two good maiden hurdles last year and will pose a threat if fit. Bumper winners The Blue Room and Double Measure also make the shortlist.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-1-7, 5yo 2-3-11 (highest wins/runs), 6yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites: 11.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Dan Skelton 1-0-2, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 0-1-2. (Note: P. Nicholls, trainer of Swingin Safari, is not listed in the provided race stats).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swingin Safari (1st TimeWise) | Strong bumper form (Grade 2 placing); recent wind op; hailed as a good prospect. | None explicit, although returning from a break. | Sets the standard in the field and is the predicted winner (nap). |
| The Blue Room (2nd TimeWise) | Bumper winner who delivered on promise; stable (Olly Murphy) has a 76% runners-to-form rate in the last 14 days. | May not be seen to best effect until tackling longer trips. | Expected to be competitive despite potential trip limitations on debut. |
5. 2.30 Angela Nettlefold Memorial ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadastral (1st) | Clear Top Rated | Daniel Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| Sober Glory (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | P J Hobbs & J White | Ben Jones |
Recent Form and Comments
Kadastral
- Recent Form: 4951 21-.
- Comments: Built on a promising soft-ground bumper debut by winning a valuable Newbury race (good) in March, keeping on strongly. The runner-up form from that race has been “very well advertised”. Must be taken very seriously on his hurdle debut.
Sober Glory
- Recent Form: 4144 1111-.
- Comments: Won his Irish point debut in Spring 2024. Was unbeaten in bumpers last season (3-3), securing a Listed grade victory at Newbury (soft) in February. He is closely related to the smart jumper Fingal Bay. Considered a “leading contender” on his hurdle debut.
Spotlight Verdict
This division is stronger than Division I, featuring an interesting clash between Kadastral and Sober Glory (preferred in that order), who both impressed winning strong Newbury bumpers. That said, MATTY’S GETAWAY overcame adversity for a commendable third over C&D recently and may possess a fitness edge.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-1-7, 5yo 2-3-11 (highest wins/runs), 6yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites: 11.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Dan Skelton 1-0-2, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 0-1-2.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadastral (1st TimeWise) | High-level bumper winner whose form has been strongly boosted; represents the strong Skelton yard. | Hurdle debut. | Preferred marginally over Sober Glory by the Spotlight selector, placing him as the primary danger. |
| Sober Glory (2nd TimeWise) | Unbeaten in bumpers (3-3), including a Listed win; strong pedigree; possesses point-to-point experience. | Hurdle debut. | A leading contender based on his impressive juvenile record on soft ground. |
6. 3.00 NMS UK Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Friend Sean (1st) | Clear Top Rated | T Lacey | Stan Sheppard |
| The Kemble Brewery (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | K C Bailey & M Nicholls | Tom Bellamy |
Recent Form and Comments
My Friend Sean
- Recent Form: 1777 311-14.
- Comments: Was highly progressive in handicap hurdles, winning five times (including at Chepstow). He was well beaten on his chase debut at Uttoxeter 19 days ago, suggesting he needed the run. Needs to improve significantly on that effort.
The Kemble Brewery
- Recent Form: 4662 /112P-.
- Comments: Had a good campaign in novice hurdles but was pulled up on his handicap hurdle debut at Sandown. Returns following wind surgery. He is expected to improve when switched to fences, a common pattern for horses from this yard. All his starts have been on soft or good to soft ground.
Spotlight Verdict
Several nice chasing prospects are featured, from which future winners should emerge. The top selection is BEN SOLO, a point and course novice hurdle winner who is expected to improve for the switch to fences. Topweight The Kemble Brewery is considered the second choice, ahead of Roysse.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-0-1, 5yo 1-0-2, 6yo 0-0-1, 7yo 0-1-1. (Limited statistics available).
- Fate of Favourites: None listed.
- Trainer Records: None listed.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Friend Sean (1st TimeWise) | Highly progressive hurdle form; trained by T. Lacey who has a 100% W-R in the last 14 days. | Was well beaten on his chase debut and needs a large step up in performance. | Fitness levels should be high after a recent run. |
| The Kemble Brewery (2nd TimeWise) | Expected to relish chasing following wind surgery; form suggests a preference for soft/good to soft ground. | Pulled up in his last handicap hurdle; carries the highest weight (11-10). | Ranked as the second choice by the Spotlight (behind Ben Solo) due to potential improvement over fences. |
7. 3.35 Spectra Group Handicap Hurdle
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Away For The Night (1st) | Clear Top Rated | A M Hales | Kielan Woods |
| Highbury Hill (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | N J Hawke | Bryan Carver |
Recent Form and Comments
Away For The Night
- Recent Form: 1736 3764-6.
- Comments: Unexposed 6yo. Showed ability by placing in a bumper last season. Ran well up to a point when sixth in a novice hurdle last month. This is his handicap debut, moving back up in trip, and he is expected to improve.
Highbury Hill
- Recent Form: 1672 3725-2.
- Comments: Posted a respectable fifth on his handicap debut at Ffos Las. He seemed well suited by the step up to 2m4f when finishing a clear second in a recent maiden. He holds at least each-way claims.
Spotlight Verdict
Preference is for AWAY FOR THE NIGHT (nap), who moves back up in trip after shaping well in a novice hurdle on his seasonal debut and should have improvement to come in handicaps. Highbury Hill is the second choice. Locked Down Lad and Delgany Deadline might also feature.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 1-1-6, 5yo 0-6-22, 6yo 4-3-22 (highest wins), 7yo 1-1-14, 8yo 0-3-11, 9yo 0-1-6, 10yo 0-0-5, 11yo 0-0-1, 12yo 0-0-1.
- Fate of Favourites: 1522P0.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Alex Hales 1-0-1, Christian Williams 0-1-1, Evan Williams 0-1-6, Jeremy Scott 0-1-1.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Away For The Night (1st TimeWise) | Unexposed and expected to improve stepping into handicaps; noted for running well in his recent outing; trainer Alex Hales has a 1-0-1 record in this race. | Carries top weight (12-0); handicap debut. | Selected as the “nap” for the race, suggesting strong winning potential. |
| Highbury Hill (2nd TimeWise) | Showed ability at 2m4f recently; trained by N. Hawke, who has a 100% W-R in the last 14 days. | Faces older, more experienced rivals. | Holds definite each-way claims and is the Spotlight’s second choice. |
8. 4.10 Cre8 Associates Open National Hunt Flat Race
| Horse | TimeWise Master Rating | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnie Moon (1st) | Clear Top Rated | J Tickle | Ben Jones |
| River Glance (2nd) | Clear Second Rated | Miss E J Bishop | Miss L Pinchin |
Recent Form and Comments
Arnie Moon
- Recent Form: 672 4.
- Comments: Finished fourth of six on debut at Newton Abbot (good to soft) 145 days ago. He possesses the “best bumper form” but was beaten over 8l and needs a “chunk of improvement”.
River Glance
- Recent Form: 5477 76-.
- Comments: Ran at big odds and was soundly beaten in mid-division in his first two starts on good to soft/good ground. “Others are preferred”.
Spotlight Verdict
The 85,000euros newcomer SEA THE DAY represents Dan Skelton and is taken to make a winning start to his career. Lion Rose Sivola (second choice, a £100,000 point winner) is preferred ahead of Sea Of Fortune then Ellenborough Park, who are both debutants.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 8-12-81 (dominant in wins/runs), 5yo 2-5-29, 6yo 0-1-8.
- Fate of Favourites: 3151024112.
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r in this race type): Fergal O’Brien 1-0-3, Dan Skelton 0-2-6, Evan Williams 0-1-7.
Assessment of Top Two Chances
| Horse | Strengths | Weaknesses | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnie Moon (1st TimeWise) | Holds the best existing bumper form on paper. | Needs significant improvement on his debut run (4th of 6); trainer J. Tickle has a 0% W-R. | The consensus favors well-bred newcomers over the proven form. |
| River Glance (2nd TimeWise) | None explicit. | Soundly beaten in both previous starts; weak form. | Explicitly stated that “Others are preferred”, suggesting a limited chance. |
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