17:00 Myboymax
Richard Hannon’s colt MYBOYMAX is out of a middle-distance winner and began his career over 7f but he was prominent for a long way on that debut outing and gets the nod in the hope today’s drop to 5f pays dividends. Shine That Light and Furlong Factor both finished third on their first two starts but the former appears to have stronger form. As such, Shine That Light is next best.
17:30 Urban Highway
Lorna Cole won a much more competitive race than this at Windsor on Wednesday and has a good chance to complete a quick double if in similar form again but she had previously developed a worrying habit to be sluggish in the early stages of her races, and any relapse could prove costly here. Perhaps it may pay to oppose her with URBAN HIGHWAY, who needs to better his recent efforts but is dropped in grade and sports first-time blinkers today.
18:00 Merry Secret
Bodak Yellow recovered from a slow start to finish a clear second on his debut at Wolverhampton and ought to be more streetwise here but slight preference is for MERRY SECRET, who took a big step forward from his debut run when fourth at Windsor. Proclaimed and Spanish Colt both have significant potential to better their debut efforts, while Et Tu Brute was strong in the betting before his debut was effectively truncated at an early stage. Rogue Nation and Solent Gateway are two interesting newcomers to toss into the mix.
18:30 Eye Smiling
Cases can be made for a few of these but EYE SMILING is in superb form at present and is taken to complete a quick hat-trick. Bezzas Lad has much more to prove but lurks on an attractive handicap mark and is feared most. Port Noir came good with a 5f course win on her seasonal debut and might have more to offer back over 6f, while Somekindasuperstar ran well at Doncaster recently and also gets a mention.
19:00 Henrik
This auction maiden doesn’t look very competitive and it’s quite possible Sky Blue Thinking or Astapor will prove good enough to make a winning debut. However, HENRIK wasn’t given a hard time once held in the final furlong of his debut at Lingfield, having twice been denied a clear run when attempting to make headway, and ought to get a lot closer to the target here. Cider Apple also showed enough on her debut to suggest she can feature.
19:30 Paws For Thought
This looks stronger than division 1. Speedful made very encouraging headway from the rear to finish fourth at Kempton but PAWS FOR THOUGHT probably achieved more when third at Newbury and is the pick. Mark Of The Man shouldn’t be far away, while Michael Bell’s newcomer Sun Festival is out of a 7f 2yo Group 3 winner and also enters calculations.
20:00 Lily Like
With a handful of unexposed 3yos in this line-up it’s difficult to be dogmatic but LILY LIKE was a clear second on her recent handicap debut at Newmarket and is selected to overcome a 6lb rise here. Huwaiteb proved rather headstrong as a 2yo but his pedigree offers significant hope he can progress this season. Evening Spirit, Tomorrow’s Dream and Top Secret are others with potential for improvement.
20:30 Cafe Sydney (nap)
Hammy End has proved admirably consistent since last summer’s 1m2f course winner and returns here after running well twice over 1m4f on Polytrack this month. He ought to make his presence felt again but the selection is CAFE SYDNEY (nap), who came from a poor position to make a strong challenge at Wolverhampton three weeks ago and should be fine back on turf. Lauberhorn Rocket is next on the list.
21:00 Bailarico
Gold Arch drew well clear to make a winning seasonal/stable debut on Tapeta at Wolverhampton nine days ago and is ahead of the handicapper under his penalty here. However, we can’t be sure he’ll be seen to the same effect back on turf and an interesting alternative is BAILARICO, who is also well handicapped. Warren Greatrex’s gelding paid a price for pressing a strong pace for a long way when a weakening fourth over C&D a fortnight ago but that run suggested he’s back in form, and a slightly more patient ride might enable him to succeed today. Be Fair can also feature.
Tips for Chepstow today in summary
17:00 Myboymax
17:30 Urban Highway
18:00 Merry Secret
18:30 Eye Smiling
19:00 Henrik
19:30 Paws For Thought
20:00 Lily Like
20:30 Cafe Sydney (NAP)
21:00 Bailarico
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