14:10 Chepstow

Friday 11 October 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Century Racing Club Free Horse Giveaway Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 0.21s

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Selected odds by:

Diamond Geezer⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

80/1

Had shown plenty of ability on only start in bumpers 10 months earlier but shaped as if amiss sent hurdling when tailed-off last at Warwick (16f, good) last week, folding approaching fifth. Clearly thought capable of better but hard to recommend.

Form: 2-0

Golden Identity^t¹⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Kayf Tara gelding who showed promise on second start in bumpers and after a year off, shaped similarly on hurdling debut fitted with a tongue strap (also had a wind op) when fifth of 10 in maiden at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) back in May. Step forward needed on return.

Form: 7/4-5

Kap Boy²⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| CDWS

4/1

€160,000 son of Kapgarde who overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in a 4-runner bumper at this meeting last year. Matched that form 3 months on when third of 10 at Newbury (16.3f, soft) and warrants considerable respect on return/hurdling debut for a top outfit (has had a wind op).

Form: 13-

Palacio^t¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas

20/1

Dropped away tamely in an Exeter bumper on debut last November but having had a breathing operation, fared quite a lot better 5 months on when fifth of 13 at Warwick (16f, good) back in April. Market check advised on hurdles bow.

Form: 95-

River Run Free²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe

66/1

€20,000 3-y-o, £40,000 5-y-o, Ol' Man River gelding. Dam (b90), placed both starts in bumpers, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/fair chaser (stayed 21f) Harringay. Placed both completed starts in Irish points, runner-up latest (Mar 2024).

Form: 3F2-

Clap Of Thunder¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

15/8

Steadily progressive in bumpers, probably doing well under the circumstances having been prominent throughout when runner-up to an excellent prospect in valuable event at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 6 months ago. Makes hurdles bow with yard going great guns.

Form: 3252-

French Ship¹⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| D

10/3

Improved another chunk as he got off the mark in bumpers in 11-runner junior event at Haydock (15.6f, good to firm) 5 months ago, ridden closer to the pace than previously. A couple in behind have won bumpers since and he's a likely type on return/hurdling debut.

Form: 42-1

Jukebox Joker¹⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

100/1

Jukebox Jury gelding who was never a threat when mid-field in a Southwell bumper (15.8f, good to soft) 5 months ago. Makes hurdling debut and bred to stay well, he looks one for later down the line.

Form: 5

Le Fauve²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| BF

7/2

Bought for €105,000 after going down by a nose on hurdling debut in France and promising third in Aintree listed event on first run for new yard in December. No show in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time, but back on track when runner-up at Newbury 7 months ago. Big shout on return.

Form: 2352-

Three Zambezi's⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

150/1

Placed on the second of 2 starts in Irish points but made an unpromising start to career under Rules when well held in novice hurdle at Warwick (16f, good) last week.

Form: 42-0

We're Red And Blue¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| D

18/1

Justified strong market support on debut when winning 6-runner bumper at Hereford back in February and shaped better than being well held suggested at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) the following month, weakening from 2f out. Makes hurdle debut/return and market should indicate expectations.

Form: 14-

Forecasts

Clap Of Thunder (15/8), French Ship (10/3), Le Fauve (7/2), Kap Boy (4/1), We're Red And Blue (18/1), Palacio (20/1), River Run Free (66/1), Diamond Geezer (80/1), Golden Identity (100/1), Jukebox Joker (100/1), Three Zambezi's (150/1)

A few in with chances but KAP BOY made a winning debut in a bumper at this meeting last year and having matched that form when runner-up at Newbury 3 months later, this athletic sort is fancied to make his mark on return/hurdling debut at the expense of Le Fauve, who has already finished runner-up twice in this sphere and sets a decent standard to aim at on reappearance. Bumper winner French Ship can edge out Rules debutant River Run Free for third.