Chepstow - Friday 24th April 2026
BEAU QUALI has been knocking on the door in handicaps of late and the return to novice company could help the six-year-old to go one better here. Quay Item has to be noted following his Plumpton win in January and he didn't appear to stay 3m when second at Doncaster last time. Others to note are Treasure Planet and Piping Rock.
BROOMFIELDS CAVE appeared to have plenty in hand when winning over 3m1f at Wincanton a few weeks ago and a 4lb rise may underestimate him here. Inflexible also scored on his most recent outing at Uttoxeter and could prove to be the main threat to the selection, although Loup De Maulde and Charles Ritz are others with valid form claims.
This appears to be an ideal opportunity for MY BOY AARON to get off the mark. The six-year-old has placed on his last three starts and that includes a second over 2m at Ffos Las most recently. On that evidence, he should have too much for Polemon, who has to be noted on his debut for new connections. Mariole edges out Trapper John to be next best.
Wincanton third One Island is a likely improver with a tongue-tie applied, while Miss Kingston is worth noting on her best form in Ireland as she debuts for a new trainer. AIMERIC has also switched yards having won five times on the Flat. Having run well on several occasions in Listed company, the son of Frankel could prove a cut above these if taking to hurdling at the first attempt and Jennie Candlish's new charge gets the vote.
Mostly consistent, TORNEO wasn't at his best upped in both class and distance here last time. This looks more his level and, given the C&D winner finished a close second off today's mark at Windsor in January, Jamie Snowden's charge may well bounce back. Bonza Boy is another likely to appreciate this drops back in trip and could land a blow, while Parramount should have benefitted from his recent chasing debut at Wetherby.
THE KEMBLE BREWERY finished a respectable second over C&D on his recent return to the smaller obstacles. Well clear of the rest, that was his first outing since November, so it's feasible to expect some improvement and the son of Blue Bresil could launch a strong challenge. Razzle Dazzle Boy arrives in fine fettle and is likely to prove competitive once again, while Wreckless Eric can be given a shout on the pick of his recent form.
STUMPS OR SLIPS benefited from a clear round in a point-to-point when turning over an odds-on shot at Exeter earlier in the month and a repeat of that effort would make the nine-year-old tough to beat. The veteran Pink Eyed Pedro won this contest 12 months ago and has to be respected, while others for the shortlist include Yippee Ki Yay and Important Notice.
KILWORTH bounced back to form when getting the better of Hard Dealt at Ascot on her latest start. The latter has an engagement at Warwick on Thursday, so Emma Lavelle's mare has an excellent opportunity to finish her season on a high. Star Walking would be a threat if over her latest run at Kelso, while Love Me appeals most of the remainder.
Beau Quali is solid and comes off a good run in a C&D handicap but he's 0-13 over hurdles - he has won a chase - and could prove vulnerable to something less exposed. The 4yo Treasure Planet could easily improve enough for the more galloping track if ridden positively enough, but it's QUAY ITEM who is the selection. A winner at Plumpton two starts back, he failed to stay 3m against a smart rival at Doncaster last time and this test should suit better while his capable rider claims a valuable 7lb. Piping Rock has claims also following a wind op.
The veteran Manothepeople is down to a good mark, has the ground in his favour and tends to shine in the spring, but he hasn't been in the best of form and it makes more sense to side with the progressive BROOMFIELDS CAVE. He's won three of his last four completed starts and a 4lb rise for his recent Wincanton success leaves him still looking well treated. Inflexible was a good winner back chasing last time and can go well off 4lb higher.
A weak maiden hurdle in which MY BOY AARON earns the percentage vote. He's modest enough but has placed on each of his last three outings and seems likely to give his running once again. Polemon, on debut for a new yard having been trained in Ireland, has claims on his best efforts, although a good run from former pointer Jubertilee wouldn't shock given there's little depth to the race. Mariole would have been more easy to make a case for had the race been over 2m4f.
The ex-Irish Miss Kingston is clearly one to take seriously on this British debut, as is formerly smart Flat performer Aimeric. That one has lots of good Listed form to his name and this looks a suitable starting point in a weak race, but let's instead side with the 4yo ONE ISLAND. He's only had three starts, winning on the Flat before twice coming up short over hurdles, but his latest Wincanton third was much better and the drying ground/first-time tongue-tie combo did help him find enough to get off the mark jumping. Cheap Sandwiches is of interest also. He didn't progress in bumpers but had point experience and should go well now hurdling.
TORNEO wasn't see to best effect over further here last time, finishing well beaten having raced keenly, and the drop in trip and grade here could see him get his head in front for the first time in 13 months. He likes this C&D. Parramount went chasing late in life but shaped pretty well when third at Wetherby and the 10yo could have a say if building on that. He's the danger, although Hypotenus promises to be suited by the return to a sounder surface and has undergone a wind op since his last run.
THE KEMBLE BREWERY improved back hurdling on his second run since a wind op when runner-up over C&D last time and a 2lb rise might not be enough to prevent a follow up with a new headgear combination now employed. He's preferred to Razzle Dazzle Boy, who is solid and improving himself. He also runs this C&D well and should be bang there once more, while Inside Man has had excuses the last twice and is now just 2lb above his last win mark.
Pink Eyed Pedro has won this twice before, including last year, but he'll do well to follow up as both STUMPS OR SLIPS and Yippee Ki Yay have the potential to improve past him. The selection has won his last four completed starts over fences and was quite impressive in winning a hunter chase for the first time at Exeter last time. He slammed a horse called Macklin that day and that one had previously beaten Yippee Ki Yay in just as good a fashion. The last-named gets 8lb from the top one (his rider also claims 7lb) and that could bring them closer together.
A tight mares' handicap that can go to the progressive KILWORTH, who has won two of her last three and still looks fairly treated up 7lb for scoring at Ascot. The ground will again be in her favour and she's taken to prove too strong for I Spy A Diva, who is coming off a good run at Wincanton and still appeals as being on a fair mark. Third choice is Star Walking, who was pulled up in a Listed event at Kelso but had earlier been in good form and could easily bounce back.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
