18:00 Chepstow

Thursday 8 August 2024

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

tote Are Online Too At tote.co.uk Racing League 16 Handicap (Trainers Registered To Racing League)

Off time: 18:14 | Winning time: 1m 23.6s

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(10)

Craven^v¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| D

20/1

Bounced back to best as he ended a losing run dating back to last summer when scoring at York (7f, good to firm) just under a fortnight ago, doing well to reel in more prominently-ridden rivals. Nudged up 3 lb and wouldn't be sure to be in the same mood given his profile.

Form: 48-9301

(1)

Leadenhall¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| BF

9/1

Scored at Haydock last summer for Ralph Beckett had been shaping up well for new yard, travelling well for long way when third of 18 at York last month. Well backed but not so good when 4¾ lengths ninth of 17 to Craven back there just under 2 weeks ago (not ideally placed) so can bounce back.

Form: 0-35039

(7)

Brunel Nation²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 81| D

13/2

Much improved when winning handicaps at Chelmsford (6f) in March and at this venue (7f, awarded race after suffering interference) in April. Unproven on the ground at Chester in June but returned to form when third of 13 at Newmarket (7f, good) last month. Fancied to go close.

Form: 611493

(8)

Von Baer¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: B J Meehan| OR: 80| D

4/1

Benefited as expected from the drop back in trip to open his account at Sandown (7f, good) just under 2 weeks ago, a return to his reappearance third just about sufficient having slipped in the weights. 3 lb rise to contend with and doesn't look the easiest of conveyances, either.

Form: 23-3371

(9)

Lessay¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| D

12/1

Winner on debut at Kempton (1m) in December and has run respectably in handful of starts since, gelded prior to finishing fourth of 5 in handicap Sandown (7f) last month. Too free upped to 1m last time, so no surprise to see him back at this trip. Worth a look from his slipping mark.

Form: 227447

(3)

Believe You Me¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: H Main| OR: 72| CD

8/1

In top form at present and registered a third C&D success in impressive style just under a fortnight ago, quickening to lead over 1f out. Handicapper has taken a swipe with a 10 lb rise but she remains of plenty of interest in her current mood.

Form: 824211

(6)

Get The Music On¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: C G Cox| OR: 78| D

17/2

Kempton novice winner who posted an improved display returned to that venue when runner-up over 1m in June. Disappointed next time, though ran best race on turf without doing anything quickly when fourth of 7 at Leicester (7f, good to firm) just over 2 weeks ago. More needed.

Form: 1-79274

(11)

Etoile d'Alexandre^h,t⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 77

5/1

Switched yards and showed improved form on return/handicap debut when winning at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) last month. Not seen to best advantage under a penalty in a tactical, small-field affair at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) 9 days ago, so she can resume her progress here.

Form: 435-12

(5)

Lahab¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S H James| T: M Wigham| OR: 70| CD

12/1

In good form without winning and caught the eye starting out for a new yard (formerly with Grant Tuer) when seventh of 12 in handicap at Chester (7.6f, good) 12 days ago, making late headway for hands-and-heels riding. Dropped 2 lb and certainly not one to be writing off.

Form: 053777

(2)

Brindley^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Channon| OR: 72| BF

28/1

Went agonisingly close to opening his account when second of 8 in handicap at Newbury (8f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago but wasn't in the same form at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, perhaps just not in the right frame of mind. Far too soon to be giving up on him.

Form: 8-88728

(4)

Alpine Sierra^h¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: J S Goldie| OR: 66| D

8/1

Ran well but probably found the test a little on the sharp side away from soft ground when second of 8 in handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good to firm) 10 days ago. Likely he'll prove vulnerable to some younger legs in this.

Form: 935442

Forecasts

Von Baer (4/1), Etoile d'Alexandre (5/1), Brunel Nation (13/2), Alpine Sierra (8/1), Believe You Me (8/1), Get The Music On (17/2), Leadenhall (9/1), Lessay (12/1), Lahab (12/1), Craven (20/1), Brindley (28/1)

Preference is for ETOILE D'ALEXANDRE, who left the impression a tactical, small-field affair didn't show her to best advantage at Lingfield 9 days ago so George Boughey's 3-y-o can resume her progress at the expense of Brunel Nation, who returned to form away from testing ground at Newmarket last month and is seemingly building up to something. Believe You Me arrives on the back of a third C&D success and she can edge out Brindley for bronze.