The Races expert Tom Chilman highlights the top five races at Chepstow on Friday, all live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.30pm.
Crebilly
(1.30 – Download Vickers.Bet App EBF Novices’ Challenge)
I finished third in the Irish field and the purchase of $100,000 just got two very promising models in the bumper at Huntingdon last March.
A brilliant display for the green and gold was followed by a superb start at Newcastle (two miles) in December, where the six-year-old rode 21 lengths to 11 maidens.
Soldier of Fortune ran a long distance last month to chase down the Evan Williams-trained Libberty Hunter, giving the opponent 7lb and eventually going down a length following a last-ditch mistake.
The floor was also a great test that day (soft, heavy in places), and it is possible that the clear environment will also see that Jonjo O’Neill is doing well here.
Jonjo O’Neill sends eight runners to Chepstow on Friday
State Of Power
(2.30 – Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Novices’ Challenge)
Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden have combined to repeat the last three races of the novice race, and their six-year-old filly looks set to continue that impressive record.
The Westerner gelding was left to win a 50th winner on his second start under the flag in Ireland, having fallen first while looking third behind Cheltenham’s Weveallbeencaught.
He went to 2/1 joint-favourite against the debut here in December. Effective, but a little ambitious at the start, State Of Power remained in contention over two jumps before appearing to be overtaken by the front two in the final stretch, finishing a well-beaten third.
With this being his first start over the stakes and the way the race has progressed, he is likely to do well, with an extra four furlongs expected to match.
Super Survivor
(3.00 – Follow Vickers.Bet On Facebook Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
I made a winning start at Doncaster last February, showing courage to finish by more than three lengths, and he ran well to finish a close second over the same trip the following month under penalty of the winners.
The son of Shantou then won at Carlisle, over two and three furlongs, on his final start of the season, before finishing a creditable second behind the experienced Fern Hill over three furlongs at Uttoxeter. on the chase for the debut, once again being late in the afternoon.
Raised in trip when he was last seen over track and distance here in December, the seven-year-old seemed to enjoy every yard, finishing in the home straight, and the 5lb gain from this big win could be easy.
Chepstow has a very exciting card on Friday, all live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.30pm
Lyrical Genius
(3.30 – Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase)
The winning point started in Ireland and the Warwick bumper at his new home, before he narrowly scored over two and five miles at Doncaster in November 2021.
This was to be the Milan gelding’s last win, however, as he hit 16, 56 and 40 respectively in the next three races over the odds, the latter coming in handicap company at Hexham on his second appearance of the season after being found on betting.
A wind operation and a change of fences soon followed, and Charlie Longsdon had a long ride at Hereford before weakening inside the last half mile.
Last time out at Doncaster, the six-year-old looked very different on the way down, with the front two pulling 30 lengths clear of the rest, and looking likely to back the job down. Sam Twiston-Davies.
Are You Smart About That?
(4.05 Join Our Free Betting Club Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle)
O’Neill yard have prepared a strong team for the meeting and their Warwick winner looks to be the most likely option throughout the afternoon.
Before switching to Jackdaws Castle, the Walk In The Park gelding finished in line for an Irish point behind stablemate Inch House, having run in a novice race of two and seven miles (2.30) in the same connection earlier on the card.
The six-year-old then entered Uttoxeter on his first ever challenge, with all of his market rivals unsteady before the fourth flight, before he narrowly jumped at Ayr in December when he was last seen, fading late to finish. the third.
An opening mark of 119 probably underestimates his potential, and he could prove to be a step back in the tour if his jump is strong.
Watch every race from Chepstow on Friday live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.30pm.
