1.45pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 31/10/2017

1.45pm Chepstow tips for Tuesday’s Class 4 race. Three and a quarter miles ahead of them in a handicap chase for novices, it’s a line-up fill of horses who look like being better at this game so is a fascinating one to watch for the future. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: VINNIE LEWIS will relish the step up to this trip as a winning point to pointer, he ran well over fences at Bangor last time over a trip too short. Vinegar Hill should be better over fences than he was over hurdles. He is a strong stayer and although he hasn’t been seen since Janaury, he looks the biggest danger. Just Joelliott and Jack In A Box should both improve on their hurdles form over fences while Capote is well worth noting with big connections persevering with him after three and a half years off.

1 SAINT JOHN HENRY – Dour front runner, he won over this trip last season at Warwick. He had well documented problems with his jumping over hurdles so isn’t the most obvious candidate for fences and would ideally prefer softer ground.

2 CAPOTE – Fascinating that his big name connections are persevering having been off the track for three and a half years. A smart staying novice hurdler, he is bred to be a better chaser. Very well treated on his handicap debut but can only be watched after such an absence.

3 DESERT SENSATION – Another front runner, he was well supported at Stratford last time but failed to deliver. Placed from four pounds higher over hurdles at this track last season, he has a squeak if taking to fences but he is a little temperamental so that is a big if.

4 VINEGAR HILL – Improved two and a half stone over hurdles in 2016, three miles on soft ground suiting well. Not seen since January so entitled to come on for his first experience of fences but the further step up in trip does promise to suit.

5 BRANDON ROC – Notched up a quick hat-trick in February, including a win at just a furlong short of this. First time cheekpieces are added for his chasing debut having looked a tough ride on occasions over hurdles. Needed his return last season so best watched now.

6 LOOKSNOWTLIKEBRIAN – Both wins last season came over 2m3f from a stone lower mark. His dam is a half sister to Capote so the step up in trip has the potential to suit him, though he needs a career best to defy his current handicapping situation.

7 VINNIE LEWIS – Winning point to pointer, he was steadily progressive over hurdles last season. He already has a run over fences under his belt, finding Bangor too sharp for him. The step up in trip will suit well, looks a big player.

8 TEA TIME FRED – Two career best runs have come at this trip on good to firm ground over hurdles. He has run well on soft, winning at this track on that ground but over 2m3f. Trip and ground combined now is interesting but his most recent form has been disappointing.

9 JUST JOELLIOTT – Won at three miles over hurdles, he took a tired fall two from home when attempting this trip on his chasing debut. That was his first run for seven months so is entitled to strip fitter now, has an each way chance from just two pounds higher than his win.

10 BARON DU PLESSIS – Eleven race maiden, he is yet to conclusively prove his stamina for three miles. Has the potential to do better as a chaser and is in good hands but the trip is a major concern until he can show otherwise.

11 BECAUSESHESAIDSO – Sole win came on debut, he looked a non stayer when trying this trip over hurdles. Pedigree contains chase winners in France but at a shorter trip. Would appeal more in this discipline at 2m4f or below.

12 JACK IN A BOX – Point to point winner showed glimmers of promise last season when pitched in against some good novices. This is a simpler task to kick off his season interesting each way prospect in first time cheekpieces.