4.35pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 25/10/2016

LOOKSNOWTLIKEBRIAN improved tonnes to win under 10 pound claimer George Buckell at Fontwell and although he won’t have the 10 pounds off his back this time, he runs off the same mark. Richard Johnson takes over in the saddle for the improving Tim Vaughan horse who was better than the winning distance would suggest. He beat Earls Fort by a neck but travelled supremely throughout and just idled a touch when he hit the front. Dickie will make up for the 10 pounds lost in the saddle and he must have a huge chance to follow up.

1 LOOKSNOWTLIKEBRIAN – Was subject to a huge gamble a couple of weeks ago at Uttoxeter when all of Tim Vaughan’s runners were well backed but was subsequently withdrawn. Made no mistake when he did run at Fontwell last time out and massive player with Dickie Johnson taking over in the saddle.

2 KEEP UP KEIRA – Lightly raced five year old mare trained by the bang in form Neil Mulholland. Respectable 5th at Kempton when last seen in May and should be freshened up after a nice break. Low mileage on the clock and a shrewd trainer so wouldn’t rule out a massive run.

3 THUNDER PASS – Two time winner on the flat (1m 4f and 1m 6f) so certainly won’t lack for a turn of foot. All four runs over hurdles to date have been rather tame, beat a total of 153 lengths and has to make big strides forward if he is to get involved. He is trained by David Pipe which is a plus.

4 LAFLAMMEDEGLORIE – Won a Chepstow maiden hurdle on soft ground back in 2012 over 2m 4f but hasn’t been seen since February 2015. First run for the Jess Westwood stable here but looks impossible to fancy as the 10 year old has clearly had training difficulties.

5 GET READY FREDDY – Best run to date was at Lingfield last December where he finished a remote 2nd to Westren Warrior. Still lightly raced and low mileage on the clock but he hasn’t raced since February and meets horses’ like Looksnowtlikebrian who come here with race fitness.

6 PALOMA’S PRINCE – Last win came at Worcester over two miles on good to firm in June 2014. Beat 45 lengths, 28 lengths, 57 lengths and 21 lengths last four outings and impossible to fancy on this occasion. Blinkers go on for the very first time along with a tongue tie.

7 TAROUM – This horses’ last visit to Chepstow resulted in a win so it remains to be seen whether this track can eek out the required improvement. That was off a mark of 87 and this is off 91 so he isn’t exactly well treated. Pulled up at Uttoxeter when last seen and more is required.

8 BROOME LANE – Another horse trained by Tim Vaughan in the race. Hacked up by 9 lengths here at Chepstow over 3m 2f back in April over fences. Might need the run after a long break and never really threatened over hurdles to date. Should win races over fences later in the season.

9 MISS OSCAROSE – Unplaced on all 14 starts to date and looks impossible to fancy on what she has achieved to date, regardless of the dropping mark. She reverts back to hurdles after five spins over the bigger obstacles and is easily swerved from a betting perspective.

10 SHADDAII – Won a similar race at Huntingdon on soft ground back in February off a mark of 73. Nine pounds higher in the weights here but has won after a long lay off in the past and it would be very significant if market support came for him.

11 THEFRIENDLYGREMLIN – Won at Uttoxeter under similar conditions over a similar trip in June 2015. Has been off the track for nearly a year now so clearly has had some training issues and that has to be a worry. Only one pound higher in the weights since that win so can’t be fully discounted but the lay off is a huge worry.

12 DROPZONE – Sole victory from 35 starts came in a four runner Ludlow juvenile hurdle back in 2013 and he looks thoroughly exposed now. Ran a good race at Fontwell in May when 2nd off 82 over the extended 2m 5f so he is at least well treated here off a mark of 76.

13 RAILWAY VIC – On a long losing run now with no win from 25 starts and is becoming highly frustrating for connections. Placed off a mark of 90 at Exeter in the past and runs off a 16 pound lower mark now so a place isn’t out of the question if he runs a career best but he will need to.