12:15 Lady Florence
Lady Florence left her two-year-old form well behind when second on her handicap debut over C&D last month, only being caught close home. She also shaped better than the bare result when fourth at Windsor last time, faring best of those ridden prominently, and the fact she is 3 lb out of the weights here isn’t enough reason to abandon her as she attempts to confirm that promise.
12:45 Study The Stars
Study The Stars has demonstrated plenty of ability in his two starts to date, including when third behind Cairn Gorm at Windsor last time. That rival gave the form a boost when following up on his next start, and Study The Stars looks likely to have more to offer in his own right, so he is fancied to improve past the standard-setting Speedful to get off the mark at the third attempt.
13:20 Castlerea Tess
Castlerea Tess has a good record over this C&D and would have gone close to recording a third win here last time but for hanging badly left in the closing stages. She was still beaten just a length and three quarters at the line, and a 5 lb swing at the weights could be enough for her to reverse the placings with the winner of that contest, Pastfact, and resume winning ways.
13:50 In The Cove
In The Cove has raced almost exclusively on the all-weather, but the return to this surface proved no issue when taking advantage of his lower turf mark over C&D eight days ago, forging clear in the final furlong to win easily by three lengths. That form sets the standard here on weight-adjusted ratings, even with a 5 lb penalty taken into account, and he looks sure to mount a bold follow-up bid if arriving in the same sort of mood.
14:20 Gloweth
Gloweth is another who was successful on her most recent outing over C&D, proving better than ever after nine months on the sidelines to demolish her rivals, still having five lengths in hand at the finish despite being eased. This will clearly be tougher after an 11 lb hike in the weights, but the time she clocked on that occasion suggested it was no fluke, so she’s well worth the chance to confirm herself a much-improved model in conditions that play to her strengths.
14:50 Rosa Gold
Rosa Gold has won both starts since switching to handicaps, improving further to defy a penalty with plenty in hand at Thirsk last time. This will be her third run in a relatively short space of time, but she remains a filly to be positive about if continuing in the same rich vein of from, with the prospect of even better to come now stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time. She can defy an extra 6 lb penalty to complete the hat-trick.
15:20 Songkran
Songkran has looked back to his best since joining the George Boughey yard, making it back-to-back wins in comfortable fashion at Bath seven days ago. This will be the slowest surface he has encountered to date, but there is no obvious reason why he shouldn’t handle it, so everything looks set fair for another big run under a 5 lb penalty.
15:50 Coltrane
Coltrane has shaped well in a couple of runs on the all-weather and is likely to benefit from the switch to this stiffer track, so he could be worth siding with in an open maiden to conclude this afternoon’s card at Chepstow.
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Timeform’s tips for racing at Chepstow on Friday
12:15 Lady Florence
12:45 Study The Stars
13:20 Castlerea Tess
13:50 In The Cove
14:20 Gloweth
14:50 Rosa Gold
15:20 Songkran
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