Racecards
14:15 Chepstow
Coral Welsh National (A Showcase Handicap Chase) (Class A)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 3m 5f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
Chives (IRE)
14- Form 2220P-4
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
in rear, rallied 13th, pulled up before 16th
- Form 21/11-F1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
held up in touch when 2nd 15th, blundered 18th, left in lead next, joined last, no extra flat
- Form 61/0P6-3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
mid-division, lost touch 14th, pulled up before 17th
- Form 2406-F2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
always prominent, ridden from 17th, narrowly lead last, all out
- Form F0P6-33
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
mid-division, blundered 8th, ridden 13th, mistake 14th, tailed off, pulled up 5 out
Akarus (FR)
287- Form 316P02-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
mid-division, headway 16th, led and every chance when fell 4 out
- Form F121B1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey S Durack
in rear, mistake 2nd, behind and late headway 17th, stayed on from 3 out without being dangerous
- Form 134F-5F
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer K C Bailey
- Jockey J P McNamara
towards rear, mistake 13th, behind when pulled up 5 out
- Form 2310-24
- Age 7
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear, headway 16h, every chance 3 out, one pace 2 out
- Form 1P13-14
- Age 6
- Weight 10-1
prominent until weakened from 15th, tailed off 3 out
- Form 1/11P-21
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
- Form 0/1141-1
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Chamings
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, led 12th until mistake and fell when every chance 4 out
- Form 1/310-51
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey S Thomas
led, headed 12th, weakened quickly, mistake 16th, pulled up before 18th
Verdict
A cracking field goes to post for the feature on the card and the principals look to be Sir Rembrandt, Hedgehunter and Bindaree and the confident vote goes to Sir Rembrandt. The gelding from the Robert Alner yard won in effortless fashion when defeating Bindaree last time and despite the fact Bindaree is better off at the weights he is taken to confirm his superiority over him with the extra distance sure to suit. Hedgehunter rates the main danger he was a fair fourth behind Strong Flow in the Hennesey last time out but his best form is on fast ground and it would be a worry if the rains arrive. Chives is another that could go well but he will find it hard to give weight and a beating to some less exposed rivals. Take Control is another that is in fair form and he is sure to like the trip but he just gave the impression he was in the handicappers go well at a big price as he is from a shrewd yard and is on a fair mark but he lacks experience in big handicaps so we are happy to side with Sir Rembrandt who still looks well handicapped despite rising in the weights