Racecards
16:30 Chepstow
Evan And Megan Brace Memorial Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 100y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,899
- 2nd: £1,145
- 3rd: £572
- 4th: £286
- Form P31236
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey Stan Sheppard
with leader, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on towards finish
- Form 0-23215
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
tracked leaders, challenged before last, soon ridden, kept on to lead towards finish
- Form 5/214-31
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before last, headed towards finish, kept on
- Form 9676
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Keevil
- Jockey Ian Popham
in rear, weakened from 4 out
- Form 5/5-3P68
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Paul Morgan
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up in touch, weakened before 4 out
- Form 8
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N J Hawke
- Jockey James Best
led, headed 2 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
- Form 33-6131
- Age 5
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
Nonrunner
Sahara Haze
17- Form 8U3366
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer P C Dando
- Jockey Thomas Greatrex
Nonrunner
Verdict
Rainy City won his maiden by five lengths at Exeter 10 days ago but this would require a further step up. Fionn Mac Cul has won twice on heavy going at Taunton since the turn of the year but has to give 6lb to the other previous winners. BIG CHIEF BENNY couldn't cope upped in grade at Ascot last time but earlier runs behind the likes of Buveur D'Air and Charmix highlights as the one to beat here and he had Rainy City and a subsequent winner behind when scoring at Doncaster in January. Beallandendall wasn't totally disgraced last time at Cheltenham but all previous runs under Rules have been at Ludlow.
Formwatch
Beallandendall (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, 5th and one pace last, 6th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Minellaforleisure (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Big Chief Benny (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear but in touch, outpaced after 4 out, rallied after next, no extra flat, last of 5, 7 1/4l behind Yala Enki (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Rainy City (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went right 3rd, 2nd briefly 4 out, led going well 3 out, 5 lengths ahead last, kept on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr beating Lettheriverrundry (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Denny Kerrell 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, well beaten when mistake next, 6th of 12, dist behind Emerging Talent (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Relkwood (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader until after 1st, chased leaders until lost place next, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Brotherly Company (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Kipuka 25-1 (10-7) Last pair, mistake 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Western Sunrise (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Fionn Mac Cul (IRE) 8-15fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led going well between last 2, driven out flat, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb beating Howaboutnever (11-10) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Thirty Bob (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) In rear, behind 6th, pulled up before next, at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Parlour Maid 1-2fav (11-7) (tt) made virt all; rdn out, won at Great Trethew 2m 4f mdn sft in Mar beating L'ane Fou (11-7) by 6l, 9 ran.
Sahara Haze 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 19l behind Unbuckled (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gs in Apr.