16:40 Chepstow

Thursday 20 March 2025

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:45

Don & Low Champions Cup' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 4m 48.31s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Sergeant Fury¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: Harry Derham| OR: 105

4/1

Successful sole outing in points and showed plenty to work on in a bumper at Wincanton and on hurdles debut at Southwell. Posted a couple of below-par efforts in between but seemingly back on track when third on handicap debut 18 days ago, travelled well. Lightly-raced and likely has more to offer.

Form: 1338U3

Myfanwy's Magic^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Keighley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 103

13/2

Fair maiden hurdler didn't look a natural chaser and went with more fluency when reverted to hurdles in first-time cheekpieces last month when fourth of 12 at Warwick (26f, heavy), weakening. Could go well under a positive ride back in trip if headgear has same impact.

Form: 42-2P54

Copper Jack^t1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 102WS

3/1

Irish point winner has shown ability in novice company, likely not best suited by the sharper test on final qualifying run, fifth of 7 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, heavy) and may well be capable of better now switched to handicaps and stepping back up in distance.

Form: 21-7455

Touquet^h⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 102

5/1

Bumper winner on debut and made successful start over hurdles (Plumpton, 15.9f) in October, but failed to progress from that run, often racing too freely to finish off his races, as was the case when pulling up on handicap debut (after 7-weeks off). Remain to be seen if he can put it all together.

Form: 15-155P

Tillaway²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: T R George| OR: 94

16/1

Some promise in qualifying runs, but seemingly handed a stiff opening mark, well-beaten over a longer trip on handicap debut (although bred to stay that far) fifth of 6 at Ffos Las (23.9f, heavy) 20 days ago. Bit to prove now dropping back in trip.

Form: 3554F5

Greenrock Abbey^b1²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 92

16/1

Dual winner over fences at Hereford during 2022/23 and placed twice last season but has been disappointing so far this campaign. Not best judged on most recent effort when making a bad mistake and is potentially well-treated if return to hurdles/first-time blinkers can spark a revival.

Form: 25-54P4

Getuptheyard⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 87

9/2

Best effort to date came when fourth over this C&D last spring but has been underwhelming since, faring little better after wind surgery/11-week absence when down the field at Taunton last month. Needs to step forward from that run but not ruled out back at this venue off career-low mark.

Form: 484-P77

Small Town Hero¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 84

8/1

Point winner showed some promise in qualifying runs but little impact on two starts in handicaps, latest when dropping significantly in trip finishing well-held at Southwell (15.8f). Step back up in distance needs to bring about improvement.

Form: 0-56099

Lake's Aventurine^h1⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: H Dickin| OR: 80

66/1

Made the frame on first of 2 starts in bumpers but little impact in maiden hurdles, well-beaten eleventh of 14 at Ffos Las (15.8f, heavy) on latest completion in November. Fell at the first on handicap debut 8 days ago and needs more (now hooded) on second start in handicap company.

Form: 45-700F

Forecasts

Copper Jack (3/1), Sergeant Fury (4/1), Getuptheyard (9/2), Touquet (5/1), Myfanwy's Magic (13/2), Small Town Hero (8/1), Greenrock Abbey (16/1), Tillaway (16/1), Lake's Aventurine (66/1)

Quite a few runners have something to prove, and the most solid option looks to be Harry Derham's lightly-raced SERGEANT FURY, who showed improved form on handicap debut earlier this month and a repeat of that effort may see him go close here. Greenrock Abbey is potentially well-treated on return to this sphere if rediscovering his form in first-time blinkers. while Myfanwy's Magic shaped with promise back over hurdles and is a player if in the same mood over this sharper test.