17:25 and that is it from a very wet Chepstow - good night
17:20 A ladies race to finish and their makeup must have been ruined in this slog in the mud.
The betting was open with them going 5/1 the field but it was the punters who were smiling as the first two in the betting filled the first two places.
Once again we had a front runner who didn’t win although Don Pietro did finish fourth, the best of our front runners today.
Barathea Dreams under Sarah Moore took the lead inside the final furlong holding off the challenge of Libra under Emily Jones, with 11/1 shot Outer Hebrides finishing third under Serena Brotherton.
Hucking Heat was an eye catching fifth, running on well.
16:50 I have a feeling of déjà vu here. A front runner setting off at a strong pace (Petroglyph) then fading badly.
The main action coming at the end with a running on horse, Make Amends, beating the favourite, Prince Afram, into second place. It has to be said the winner was not friendless going off at 9/2 having been 11/2 earlier on.
The difference between this an the last race is we had an eye-catcher, our first of the afternoon, in the shape of No Wonga. Having only his third run he was something of a handful early on. However in the final quarter he finally got the hang of what he was meant to do and he ran on in an eye catching style.
16:20 One thing is for certain here at Chepstow this afternoon and that is it certainly is not an afternoon for front runners.
Yet again we had a runner set a commanding lead only to fade dramatically half way, this time it was Ci Vediamo who flattered to deceive.
Once again it was a running on challenger who took the honours as Addiena under Catherine Gannon came from the clouds to deny the favourite Ainia under Richard Mullen. To be honest neither the winner nor the runner-up looked totally happy but that is most likely due to the conditions rather than any lack of resolution.
Talking of conditions the going is now officially Heavy
15:50 Our second odds-on favourite of the afternoon but this time it was so, so different with Royal Island, a spare ride for joint champion jockey Jamie Spencer, recording a facile victory, winning as he pleased.
Initially settling mid-field the favourite was happy to let Foxy Diplomat set the pace, a task that proved too much as the original front runner eventually finished last, virtually pulled up.
The early stages of the race could not be seen from the stands as the persistent rain has now been joined by a dreak mist. When they emerged from the gloom it was the Ron Harris pair of Personify and The Gaikwar who were heading the field. However the favourite was lurking and when the favourite was allowed a free run the race was over in a matter of strides, with the jolly winning by eight lengths.
Having said that the winner looked a class above the others and it was no surprise to see a lively auction after the race and he was bought in for 7,000 guineas.
15:20 They may well be standing outside in the pouring rain but the Chepstow bookmakers have massive smiles on their faces after our third race with two 16/1 shots filling the first two places.
It was one of those races where the complexion changed in the final stages.
Abhainn and Cashed Up set the early pace only to fade when the race began in earnest.
Anacaona was the first to challenge, taking up the running under David Kinsella, two furlongs from home, with the second favourite Soul Sista looking to be the danger.
The danger, however, turned out to be Magical Illusion, launched with a late run by John Egan to grab the lead in the final yards.
Favourite Paymaster In Chief finished a never nearer fourth.
Like most of the races this afternoon I think the form can be taken with a pinch of salt as non of the runners seem to be happy in the conditions.
14:50 It has to be said the second race turned out to be a very odd five furlong sprint.
It was won by the well backed odds-on favourite It’s Toast, trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by George Baker, however for most of the race it looked as though the effort was going to be toast. The filly looked most unwilling and victory only looked to be on the cards when Baker finally stoked her up in the final furlong where, it has to be said, she did run on impressively. OK this was only her third racecourse appearance but she certainly gave her backers cause for concern.
Joint second favourite Key To Love took the runners-up spot with Imaginary Diva in third.
The newcomer Abacus House missed the break, ran as green as grass and only beat one home and that was the initial leader Silver Salsa.
Speaking after the race winning the trainersaid, "We came here as I knew she would like the ground, and I wasn't afraid to drop her back in distance on soft.
"She does want at least seven furlongs and has put a bit of value on herself now.
"There are a couple of valuable nurseries later in the autumn that she could go for. We'll just see how we go."
Looks like the rain is here for the afternnon.
14:30 The rain has now returned
14:20 The rain held off for the longest race of the afternoon a mile and a half handicap, where Bathwick Breeze was sent off the 5/1 favourite.
As is his wont the favourite set the pace and it was a position he held until three out, when he faded to eventually finish well down the field. Pearl who had made the running with the favourite also faded in the final stages.
The same could not be said of Flying Grey who was settled mid-division in the early stages and began an eye catching run inside the final half mile, hitting the front 2½ furlongs from home.
One out the grey had a decisive lead and it looked as though he would win as he pleased, however Check Up and Soviet Sceptre had other ideas and both launched a challenge from the pack. However the Flying Grey had flown enough and they were unable to catch him with the three finishing well clear of the remainder.
It does not appear to be a race to put too much reliance on form wise.
13:35 Good afternoon from Chepstow where it is currrently dry but it has rained heavily all morning.
The going is now on the soft side and therefore we have loads of non-runners, 15 in total.
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