17:30 That's it from Chepstow where it turned out to be a good afternoons racing despite this morning's inspection scare.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we shall be at Sandown.
From Chepstow a very good evening.
17:23 Well who says you need obstacles for an incident packed race.
We had six races over obstacles, all of which passed off without incident. We then had the bumper, usually an unexciting race, which produce so much incident it is difficult to know where to start.
Indeed the fun started before the race when Double Dash was playing up at the start, attempting to run away with Andrew Tinkler. He did eventually start.
The first incident happened during the first furlong when Double Chocolate was doing one of the best impressions of a bucking bronco seen in many a day. 3lb claimer Lee Stephens did a marvellous job to keep the partnership intact.
The next drama came at the end of the home straight. The very well backed Secret Stash was leading with Minnie Hill on his outside. However Secret Stash caught sight of the paddock exit and decided he had done enough, jinking towards the exit, interfering with Minnie Hill and managing to go from first to last in a matter of strides.
This, unbelievably, left the previously bucking Double Chocolate in front, who once he had found his stride ran on through the field.
Christian Williams managed to get Minnie Hill back into the contest and by the time there were well in the back straight he was in front.
The race finally settled down with Minnie Hill and Benbane Head sharing the work up front.
Turning into the home straight and the favourite was looking large, taking the lead three out. Polly Potter was with the leader, as was Benbane Head, who was soon to fade.
Even more surprisingly Secret Stash had reappeared on the scene.
A furlong out it was a two horse race with the favourite just in front but Secret Stash was full of running, taking the lead inside the final half furlong and running 2½ lengths clear in the final 100 yards.
The favourite held on for second, with Polly Potter just a length behind in third.
What a thrilling race to end the afternoon.
16:47 Back to the smaller obstacles for our sixth.
Before today Kayf Aramis had won only 3 from 43, although many say he should have won at Fontwell last Friday.
Today it looked as though he was going to be his truculent self again as the seven-year-old seemed none too keen to make an effort. However Aiden Coleman was not going to give up and despite making a mistake two out, challenged the leader, Sergeant Harper, as they approached the last. Once in front he ran on well, although it id a moot point whether he was pulling away or his rivals were slowing.
The third placed Hivikos was probably the only eye catcher in the race. Settled at the rear the Paul Nicholls gelding made good late progress on his first attempt over three miles, looking as though he may well appreciate the trip. Definitely one for the notebook from an otherwise poor race.
The favourite Any Currency was a disappointing fourth, despite being in with every chance three out.
16:11 An interesting three mile chase for our fifth contest, in which Notabotheronme was sent off the 9/4 favourite.
Settled towards the rear for most of the race, when asked for a challenge by Tom O’Brien he did not respond that well, looking as though he was unhappy in the heavy going.
However approaching the last he seemed to find a second wind as was in contention, however Victory Gunner had got the first run and had enough in hand to hold off the favourites late challenge.
It was one of those races where there wasn’t a single horse dominating, with the lead changing hands on several occasions.
Pretty Star looked to have a good chance, until making mistakes five and three out.
The Sawyer was with the leaders, until tiring three out.
Stolen Moments was another with every chance, until making a mistake two out.
Malko De Beaumont was pulled up and dismounted in the home straight but walked back to the stables.
15:35 A reasonably good quality, 2½ mile handicap, for our fourth contest, attracting ten runners.
Course specialist Presenting Copper, sent off the 9/4 favourite, shared the pace with Master Summerville, until fading turning for home. Master Somerville himself faded approaching three out, when Mister Potter jumped into the lead.
Indeed Mister Potter looked the likely winner at the second last. Osako D’Airy looked to be a challenger, then came under pressure and doubts were raised. However the beleagured Sam Thomas got to work and by the last Osako D’Airy was in front and pulling away from his rivals.
Something Wells came with a late charge under Aiden Coleman in the run in, passing several rivals, to deny Master Potter the runners-up spot.
The grey Gold Heart plugged on for fourth.
14:58 Back to the smaller obstacles for our third contest, this time a maiden over 2½ miles.
Only six went to post and we witnessed another brave front running performance, this time from Little Josh under Paddy Brennan.
The favourite, The Gossmoor Yank, was in with every chance in the home straight but stumbled on landing second last, losing any chance he may have had. Although it is questionable if the favourite would have caught the winner, who put in a brave effort.
The front pair finished well ahead of the remainder. Long Hop came home the best of the rest, with Soft Spoken Guy fourth.
Manolo who was fifth, was with the leaders until dropping out half way.
Makin A Fuss, didn’t and was always last.
14:24 A 2m 1f novices chase next with only five going to post.
The favourite Jaunty Flight set the pace and, once again, it was a steady one.
The others settled in more or less Indian file, with Or Bleu following in second.
Jigsaw Dancer and Super Formen vied for third and fourth. Jigsaw Dancer tended to lead between fences and always allowed Super Formen to overtake him at each fence.
The outsider Windinthewillows was always behind before pulling up.
By the time they turned for home it was a three horse race with Jaunty Flight still leading but Or Bleu and Super Formen were close enough if good enough.
By the time they jumped the final ditch they were three abreast and the writing was on the wall for the favourite as the other two made him look flat footed.
The race was effectively put to bed as they approached the second last, where Or Bleu ran on to put daylight between himself and Super Formen.
In the end an easy seven length victory for the Philip Hobbs runner, with Super Formen coming home a further six in front of the favourite.
Only three finished.
The trainer of the favourite, Oliver Sherwood, said the filly needs further.
13:53 A 2m 1f maiden hurdle to get us under way and, not surprisingly, it was run at a slow pace and the field were strung out at the finish.
We were witness to a good front running performance from Bella Haze, who led from the tapes rising and never looked to be in any real danger, although Intensifier had a vain attempt to take him on. In the end going down by four lengths he was within two length at the last.
The front pair finished fourteen lengths ahead of the remainder, who were led by Zafranagar. He came with a decent main run and was the most impressive of the remainder.
The favourite Seefin Mountain tracked the leader for most of the contest but faded in the home straight.
Prince Sabaah was also with the pace and finished fourth.
Indeed, apart from the late running on Zafranagar, all the early finishers had been with the pace.
12:48 For what it is worth here are this afternoons selections.
1:40 9 Seefin Mountain
2:10 5 Jaunty Flight
3:20 3 Presenting Copper & 4 Osako D'Airy (forecast)
3:55 6 Notaboutheronme
4:30 7 Kayf Aramis
12:37 Good afternoon from Chepstow,where the temperature is a sultry four degrees and racing goes ahead on heavy ground.
10:20 Racing goes ahead.
08:40 I have just spoken to the Clerk Of The Course and the problem is unexpected cloud has meant temperatures have not risen as high as expected. The forecast is for the cloud to clear but they are very much in the lap of the God's.
08:40 The inspection at 8:30 proved to be inconclusive and the course will hold a second inspection at 10:00
Return to race archive: |
Non-Runners
1:40
3 Harry Feversham (Lame SC)
14 Smith's Tempest (runny nose VC)
2:10
3 Raysrock (Travel)
5:00
12 Peachey Moment (Travel)
Results
1:40
1st 11 Bella Haze 7/2
2nd 5 Intensifier 5/1
3rd 16 Zafranagar 9/1
14 Ran NR's 3 & 14
Distances 4 & 14
Fav 9 Seefin Mountain 3/1 (9th)
Tote
Win £4.40
Place £1.30 £1.90 £2.80
Exacta £19.50
CSF £17.16
Time 4' 23.16"
2:10
1st 2 Or Bleu 7/2
2nd 6 Super Formen 2/1
5 Ran NR 3
Distances 6
Fav 5 Jaunty Flight 13/8 (3rd)
Tote
Win £4.30
Place £2.50 £1.60
Exacta £10.70
CSF £10.78
Time 4' 24.4"
2:45
1st 1 Littls Josh 7/2
2nd 2 The Gossmoor Yank 6/5 fav
16 Ran
Distances 4
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.30
Place £2.10 £1.60
Exacta £8.70
CSF £7.97
Time 5' 17.8"
3:20
1st 4 Osako D'Airy 4/1
2nd 1 Something Wells 7/1
3rd 8 Mister Potter 9/1
10 Ran
Distances 6 & 1¼
Fav 3 Presenting Copper 9/4 (upl)
Tote
Win £5.10
Place £1.90 £2.50 £2.80
Exacta £38.10
CSF £31.06
Tricast £237.04
Time 5' 15.8"
3:55
1st 7 Victory Gunner 11/1
2nd 6 Notabotheronme 9/4fav
7 Ran
Distances 1
Fav second
Tote
Win £17.50
Place £1.30 £1.90
Exacta £40.90
CSF £35.58
Time 6' 37.5"
4:30
1st 7 Kayf Aramis 3/1
2nd 9 Sergeant Harper 16/1
3rd 5 Hivikos 7/1
13 Ran
Distances 6 & 3
Fav 1 Any Currency 13/8 (4th)
Tote
Win £4.20
Place £1.20 £2.60 £3.10
Exacta £60.10
CSF £45.27
Time 6' 37.5"
5:00
1st 13 Secret Stash 6/1
2nd 3 Double Dash 9/4fav
3rd 10 Polly Potter 11/4
12 Ran NR 12
Distances 2½ & 1
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.30
Place £2.20 £1.60 £1.30
Exacta £23.60
CSF £19.53
Time 4' 31.1"
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