*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change.
13:20 – Champagne Rhythm
Champagne Rhythm, who shaped with promise in bumpers, has achieved a fairly useful level of form over hurdles this season, placing on all four starts in maidens. He shaped as if still in good form when third over this course and distance last time and, though he is starting to prove expensive to follow, he sets the standard in this field and is worth one more chance to open his account.
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now13:55 – Eamon An Cnoic
Eamon An Cnoic confirmed the promise of his runner-up effort at this track when running out a wide-margin winner at Sandown earlier this month, not beating much as it turned out but doing it in a manner that suggests he’s nearly as good as ever, jumping and travelling well before drawing clear before two out, winning easily. He escapes a penalty for that victory as it came in a conditional jockeys’ event, and this looks the perfect opportunity for him to gain back-to-back successes.
14:27 – Dunbar
A fair hurdler in Ireland for Eoin Doyle, and a winner of a maiden point on his last start for that yard in October, Dunbar shaped better than the bare result on his first outing for David Rees at Taunton in December, just too free on his chasing debut. He remains open to further improvement in this sphere, and with this step back in trip is sure to be in his favour, he looks worth siding with.
14:57 – Poker Play
Poker Play struggled in some competitive chases after landing a Ffos Las novice in the mud last season, but he turned in his best effort of this campaign when runner-up in a handicap hurdle at Plumpton last month, dictating the race but just unable to match the progressive winner when it came to the crunch. Hold-up horses are generally disadvantaged over this course and distance, and the presumed steady pace ought to mean Poker Play will be better placed than most given his front-running style. He could prove difficult to catch if that is the case.
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15:27 – Funambule Sivola
Funambule Sivola has taken really well to chasing, opening his account over fences at the first attempt at Wetherby in November, before making it two wins from three starts at Newbury the following month, value for at least a length extra on top of the winning margin on that occasion. He was unlucky to bump into such a progressive sort at the same venue last time, but he again jumped fluently, a real attribute of his, and he remains very much one to be interested in from this sort of mark.
16:00 – Dont Be Robin
Dont Be Robin has just one win to his name from 31 starts, but he arrives here on the back of a couple of solid efforts and could well be up to doubling his career tally. Richenda Ford’s charge has finished a place behind Sandford Castle on his last two starts, when third at Wincanton and second at Taunton in December, but he enjoys a healthy pull in the weights with that rival here, so he gets the vote to reverse the form.
16:35 – Onagatheringstorm
Prime Pretender sets the standard in terms of Rules form in this race, shaping with promise when third on debut over this course and distance last time, but it could be worth siding with Fergal O’Brien’s Onagatheringstorm, who makes his first appearance under Rules following a victory in Irish points in November. O’Brien’s yard have a good record in bumpers and his charge is of obvious interest on his first outing in this sphere.
Timeform’s tips at Chepstow on Thursday
13:20 – Champagne Rhythm
13:55 – Eamon An Cnoic
14:27 – Dunbar
14:57 – Poker Play
15:27 – Funambule Sivola
16:00 – Dont Be Robin
16:35 – Onagatheringstorm
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change.
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