3.20pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 05/05/2017

A field of eight handicappers go to post for the fifth race of the day at Chepstow on Friday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It was quite obvious that GOLD AWARD was flying too high on his latest start in Group 3 company at Newbury after winning on debut and that win at Goodwood suggests he should be a whole different proposition this season for Mick Channon. He won going away on debut so therefore the step up in trip should suit him massively and handicapping off a mark of 77 should be more like his level after the no show in Group 3 company. The obvious dangers are War Chief who was impressive on his latest start and Habbad, who capped off last season when winning at Kempton.

1 WAR CHIEF – Showed promise on debut when finishing third at Wolverhampton on the all weather back in September before an improved effort to win a maiden at Salisbury in October, drawing clear effortlessly. That obviously wasn’t the best of maidens and it’s hard to assess where he is against these, but he clearly has ability and remains with potential on handicap debut off a mark of 80. Likely to be popular under Fergus Sweeney for the in form Alan King yard and has to be respected.

2 FASTNET SPIN – Won five starts ago at Salisbury in September in a nursery but she has failed to win again for David Evans and has failed to beat a rival on her last three runs, well beaten at Kempton when last seen in November. Much more needed after an absence and the fact she is still 7lb above her last winning mark is of concern, as the handicapper has felt no pity on her by only dropping her a pound after three poor efforts. Others make far more appeal this time around.

3 GOLD AWARD – Won a maiden on debut at Goodwood on debut for Mick Channon so it was understandable when he was well beaten at Newbury when last seen in October in Group 3 company, clearly out of his depth. Makes his handicap debut off a mark of 77 and this is definitely more his level, remaining with potential in this sphere. The step up in trip should suit to no end as he was going away at Goodwood at the finish and all signs point to a big run if he’s at full fitness on return.

5 QUANDARY PEAK – Won a very modest maiden on her second start at Lingfield in June and she has done little of note since then, well beaten on all three subsequent starts and her ‘best’ effort in a listed race at Deauville clearly flattered her. Very hard to fancy as things don’t get any easier in this and others make far more appeal on balance. Surprise winner if she does for us.

6 HABBAD – Showed ability in all three of his maiden runs for Richard Hannon and he clearly benefited from the step up to the mile when winning on handicap debut at Kempton in a nursery in November, holding on well. He’s been raised 5lb as a result but he still remains with scope for progress and is undoubtedly capable of better under Tom Marquand. These conditions should not be a problem and he should be on the premises for a trainer in good form.

7 HISAR – Showed ability on both his visits to Kempton, finishing second over the six furlong trip and he was staying on well over the seven furlong trip at the same venue on his latest start last month. The step up to a mile should suit on the evidence but there has to be a concern about the fact he finished last on both his runs that weren’t at Kempton. Ronald Harris has a 33% strike rate from his last six runners and Shane Kelly is also in blistering form, but he’ll need more to threaten and others make more appeal.

8 ARCTIC SEA – Another to show ability in all three of his maidens before getting off the mark at Kempton on his latest start when upped to the mile, staying on strongly to lead close home. He’s been raised 3lb which may well be lenient as he remains with potential as a lightly raced three year old for Paul Cole whose banging in the winners at present. David Probert takes the ride and if improving again he should be going close, respected.

9 DAIMOCHI – Far too green to show his true ability on debut and he showed more when narrowly denied at Lingfield in November, though that was a weak looking race and the form doesn’t look to live up to much. He needs to learn to settle better if he’s to be winning races and although a mark of 71 is potentially lenient for this 220,000 euro purchase, if he doesn’t settle he may just be settling for places again. Clive Cox’s yard are going well at present and Sam Hitchott takes the ride, so he does have live each way claims if learning to settle on handicap debut.