Chepstow - Sunday 15th March 2026
Fern Gully clearly didn't run as expected when beaten over 10 lengths as the even-money favourite in a Uttoxeter bumper, although she may do better over timber and upped in trip. EREMENKO won a Southwell bumper first time out, but was beaten nine lengths on her hurdling debut at Taunton over an extended two miles. She is bred to see out this distance and further, and could come into her own now. Polkaface is the pick of the remainder.
BOULTYDOOLIN was tapped for speed at a crucial stage on his hurdling bow over an extended 2m4f at Newbury before keeping on to be beaten four lengths and the point-to-point winner can go one better now upped to this distance. Island Bridge is a serious danger after finishing second on his last three starts, at Leicester and twice at Ludlow, and he looks to have a win in him. Lil Fortune can only improve from his debut second at Lingfield over shorter.
Call Me Arthur got no further than the first fence at Taunton, but won his penultimate start at Huntingdon with ease and a clear round would see him in contention. However, CHECK THE SCORE returns to chasing after finishing second over hurdles at Southwell on his first start in a year and with only six races on the clock at the age of eight, he could maintain his unbeaten record over fences. The Big Reveal won over C&D last month and is another to take seriously.
Winner of the 2024 Persian War here, Flying Fortune clearly possesses plenty of ability, but finished last of four in Listed company on her return and will need to bounce back. Siog Geal wasn't disgraced in fifth in a warm handicap at Leopardstown and is respected, but the vote goes to ANALIESE. Mel Rowley's mare finished a long way clear of the third when filling the runner-up spot at Newbury and a similar performance will make her tough to beat.
Black Hawk Eagle finished a well-beaten third in a class 3 event at Kempton in October, but will appreciate this drop in grade and may get closer. Blacksamssenorita didn't give her true showing when pulled up at Wincanton and might be worth another chance, but they both could struggle to beat MILAN TINO. Tom George's gelding only found a subsequent winner too good at Leicester on his most recent outing and the assessor was kind to drop him 2lb.
RISK DE PLUIE produced a career-best effort when running out a comfortable winner over C&D last month and the manner of that display suggests the seven-year-old is capable of backing it up. Ballybreeze has to be of interest stepping up in trip on his return from a break after struggling at Cheltenham in November, while Jaipaletemps appeals most of the remainder.
Snufflepot is an interesting newcomer for owners Gordon and Su Hall, who enjoyed a terrific week at the Cheltenham Festival with Old Park Star winning the Supreme and Act Of Innocence running really well in the Turners, but the vote goes to MOMENTS AWAY. Third in a Fairyhouse bumper behind a winner who ran with credit in the Champion Bumper, that form appears the strongest on offer. Just For Dad was pitched into a Listed bumper at Ascot on debut and could leave that effort behind, while Cool Customer is another capable of being in the mix.
Bumper winner EREMENKO held his form in defeat behind more experienced rivals on her hurdles debut and could be tough to beat if building on that. She did best of those coming from off the pace that day so should be capable of better and is fancied to defeat Fern Gully who was turned over at short odds on her sole bumper start after running green. She ought to have learnt plenty from that and is open to plenty of improvement now hurdling. Point winner Snow Is In The Sky found 2m too sharp on her hurdling debut but should be better suited by this test. If improving for the extra distance she can fight for a place.
Point winner BOULTYDOOLIN finished strongly behind a useful rival on debut and ought to relish this step up in trip. He sets the standard on form and if making any improvement he will be tough to beat. Island Bridge has an experience edge and has been steadily progressing of late. It looks only a matter of time until he wins and he can throw down the biggest challenge along with Lil Fortune who showed a willing attitude when runner up on debut over shorter.
EXPRESS SURPRISE was foiled in his hat trick bid last time but it came in a much better race than this and he is taken to resume his progress. The form of his previous victories have been franked and the slight drop in trip is a positive. Call Me Arthur looks a big player with the form of his recent victory franked. He was well fancied next time before departing early but can get back on track here. Handin Manypockets switches quickly to fences after a short hurdling career. He looks well treated on his novice efforts and is unexposed over 3m so is of interest at a bigger price.
SIOG GEAL was a Grade 2 winner last term and has held her form in defeat since. She ran well in a hot handicap at the DRF last time on ground softer than ideal and this drying surface should be more suitable. She looks on a generous mark and should be able to defeat Flying Fortune who needed the run last time but was hugely progressive prior to a lay off. She was a Grade 2 winner over this C&D and could have a class edge on her rivals. Sunday Soldier has proven inconsistent but ran well at Listed level over fences last time and could be well treated back over hurdles. She may complete the places.
Hat trick seeker Falco Des Pins is likely to prove popular. He could once again get an easy lead and will be tough to peg back if that's the case but he will need to improve to defeat the well handicapped MILAN TINO. His latest runner up effort has been boosted by the winner and he should appreciate this slightly better surface. Of those at bigger prices The Winslow Boy makes some minor appeal. He shaped with promise over 2m here on his chase debut after a wind op and is forgiven his latest effort where he didn't handle the track.
Risk De Pluie had a bit in hand here last time and is likely to prove popular again despite top weight. He is respected but he may struggle to confirm form with MY FRIEND SEAN on these revised terms. The selection is yet to match his hurdles form but he has steadily been getting his act together over fences and his mark now looks workable. Kalista Love boasts a 50% strike rate over fences so if getting a stiff test at the trip he should also be on the premises.
A strong bumper can go to JUST FOR DAD who was green but shaped with promise when midfield in a good race on debut. That form took a boost in the Champion Bumper and he's proven with cut in the ground. Moments Away placed on both of his starts in Ireland and his latest run has been franked at Listed level. He should build on that run and looks a huge danger on his stable debut. Point winners L'Aurige and Azlad are worth following in the betting ahead of their rules debuts.
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