5.25pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 19/09/2017

A field of twelve go to post for the final race of the afternoon at Chepstow on Tuesday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Alternate Route relished the extra stamina test when third on his latest start but may have to wait to get on the scoresheet as KOZIER looks very tough to beat for Alan King. This three year old was last seen at Goodwood finishing second, with the step up in trip doing wonders as he was only headed in the final stride. He’s only three pounds higher here in a weaker looking race and should take all the beating under three pound claimer Hollie Doyle.

1 GOLDSLINGER – Finished second three starts ago at this venue over the 1m 4f trip in July and he ran well for a very long way before weakening out of things two furlongs out over the 2m 2f trip on his latest start. He will be much happier down to the two mile trip and he’s likely to go blazing off out in front under three pound claimer Jack Duern. He’s now eight pounds below his last winning mark and has a very good chance here.

2 CROPLEY – Hasn’t been seen on the flat since early 2015 for Dai Burchell, with his last flat run coming in November 2016 where he was well held at Exeter over the two mile distance. He will need to be at his very best to be threatening in this after a 303 day absence and on that basis he’s very easy to dismiss on this occasion.

3 WORK – Dual winner on the all weather for David Simcock but he’s yet to score on the flat or over hurdles for the David Pipe yard, displaying a very inconsistent profile. He was last seen at Kempton in June only finishing seventh, well beaten and merely plugging on past beaten horses late on. He’s only one pound lower here and although he should appreciate the strong pace on offer, his overall profile says to avoid.

4 MISKIN – Five timer winner in France and he has placed on three of his four starts for Robert Stephens, last seen finishing second at Salisbury in August and only headed late on. He’s two pounds higher here but he looks sure to benefit from this step up in trip. His stamina has to be a question mark though regardless, as there will be a strong pace here and as a prominent runner, he’ll need lots of staying power. He’s an each way player under Dane O’Neill, but could just be vulnerable to a fast finisher.

5 LAKE SHORE DRIVE – Hurdles winner for Johnny Farrelly but he remains a maiden on the flat, with eight winless runs so his name. He returned to this code when eighth of nine at Bat in August, held up and only staying on late after being outpaced at a crucial stage. He’s down in trip here which doesn’t look likely to suit and off only three pounds lower, he could only be given an outside place chance if Goldslinger goes really hard out in front.

6 PETRIFY – One pound below his last winning mark, with that win coming back in May at Bath over the 1m 3f distance. His stamina for this distance is far from guaranteed, beaten by eleven lengths on his latest start at Fontwell over hurdles when looking legless late on. His stamina is going to be tested just as much here with the softer ground and despite connections being in brilliant form, he’s likely to miss out here.

7 KALIMANTAN – Seven year old for Tim Vaughan who missed all of 2016 and has returned this season with two poor efforts. He was last seen tailed off at Lingfield after running in snatches over today’s distance and connections have reached for the visor. It doesn’t look as though he retains all of his ability at this stage and with identical conditions to his last run, he couldn’t be recommended.

8 KOZIER – Lightly raced three year old for Alan King who posted a much improved effort when second at Goodwood in August, battling on gamely to only go down by a short-head late on. He ran in snatches that day which can mark his effort up and with a strong pace likely here, that’ll almost certainly play to his strengths. The in-form three pound claimer Hollie Doyle takes the ride and with conditions fine, he should take all the beating here.

9 ALTERNATE ROUTE – Very modest performer before running his best race yet when third at Kempton two weeks ago, only beaten by a length after coming home very strongly to force a dead-heat for that position on the post. He clearly relished the stamina test and like many Sir Mark Prescott performers, he should improve for his racing. He is on the same mark here and looks a key player provided he can transfer that ability onto the turf.

10 FLANNERY – Won at 1m 1f trip when in Ireland but he’s yet to threaten in three runs since moving to Britain and the Tim Vaughan yard. He was never better than midfield when ninth at this venue over the 1m 4f trip, with a step up to the two mile distance far from guaranteed to suit. His stamina has to be questioned as all his previous attempts have ended poorly and he’s easy to dismiss here.

11 ROB’S LEGACY – In poor form over both codes for Shaun Harris, well beaten at Southwell on his last two starts on the all weather and over hurdles. He was all but tailed off on the level on his penultimate start over this distance and took his flat record to no wins from nine starts. Very easy to look elsewhere.

12 GENERAL ALLENBY – Thirteen race maiden who was within a short-head of breaking that statistic when headed on the post at Kempton two weeks ago. He’s only one pound higher here and if able to transfer that form now he returns to the turf he looks a key player under Kieren Fox, with cut in the ground ideal for him based on previous efforts. Has to be respected for each way terms at the very least.