6.15pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 17/08/2017

A field of 9 go to post in this Class 5 handicap raced over 1m 4f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This is a wide open handicap and the race can go to KAISAN. He was well-beaten last time out but that came on Heavy ground and he will be much more at home on this faster surface off a 4lb lower mark. He can take a big step forward and progress past these today and get the better of The Detainee who should make a bold bid for the hat-trick having only been raised 3lbs for a success last time out.

1 PRINCESS ROANIA – Non-runner.

2 WHAT A SCORCHER – Drops back in trip today following a less than impressive run over hurdles at Newton Abbot last month. That followed a good run at Chepstow in similar conditions to today when finishing half a length behind Tobouggaloo. There should be little to split the pair again today and the booking Luke Morris is an obvious positive for Nikki Evans’ runner.

3 RAHMAH – Couldn’t defy this mark last time out at Salisbury having been raised 3lbs for a win over 1m 2f at Chepstow early last month. He was well-supported that day and whilst these conditions should suit, he may be up against it at the weights. He is in good shape at present though and is hard to discount although two wins from 26 starts isn’t the most appealing profile. Others make more appeal today.

4 BECCA CAMPBELL – Won a Class 6 Lingfield contest back in May off a 4lb lower mark. She hasn’t been beaten all that far in some small field events lately although this has a competitive edge to it and she needs to do more to convince she’s weighted to score. Others may provide a bit more value in this field although it’s a positive to see Ed Greatrex back on board.

5 TOBOUGGALOO – Twice a C&D winner on her last two starts and the handicapper has raised her a further 4lbs today. She will need the ground to dry out having produced her best form on fast ground although she’s obviously going the right way. William Cox claims 7lbs again and she’s the obvious form horse in this having exploited a lowly mark. There could be some value in opposing Stuart Kittow’s mare in seek of her hat-trick though at these prices.

6 SPIN POINT – Has been beaten a long way in several starts for this yard but he could be of interest following a 122-day break. He’s been dropped 4lbs following his last run at Wolverhampton and the step back up in trip on the flat could bring out some improvement in him. The booking of Fran Berry looks positive and the yard thrives with just this sort although they have sent out just one winner from their last 16 runners.

7 KAISAN – Finished a long way behind Rolling Maul on Heavy ground at Ffos Las last time out. He never got going that day but he’s better than he showed and his 3yo form still ranks as relatively useful in this grade. He’s down another 4lbs in the weights and this lightly-raced son of Rip Van Winkle could have plenty to offer off a nice mark. The return to better ground is a major positive. Interesting.

8 THE DETAINEE – Has been transformed since arriving at Neil Mullholland’s yard, recording two victories from as many starts. He’s been raised a further 4lbs for his latest success which looks fair given he beat a useful enough sort last time out and he should go well again. Trevor Whelan remains in the saddle and he should make a bold bid for the hat-trick. He won’t want to see any rain arrive.

9 EASTERN LADY – Richard Price’s runner needs to find dramatic improvement to have any sort of chance in this. She was well-beaten last time out in similar conditions to today and whilst she’s been dropped 4lbs in the weights, that’s unlikely to bring about sufficient improvement to see her win this. She looks to need more time and possibly softer ground to be seen to best effect.

10 MR FRANKIE – One win from 23 starts is less than inspiring for John Spearing’s runner although he was narrowly denied last time out and should go well again. He bumped into one that day and the handicapper has raised him a rather harsh 3lbs in the weights. He’s stepped up in trip and grade and that could find him out although the booking of Robert Winston is positive. Others are preferred today.