8.15pm Chepstow Tips & Betting Preview 17/08/2017

A field of 11 go to post in this Class 5 handicap raced over 6f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This isn’t the strongest of 6 furlong handicaps and the Clive Cox trained DEL PARCO can come out on top. He’s well-treated on these terms with a 3yo allowance and there’s sure to be more improvement from him in first-time blinkers off a fair mark. He can get the better of Bonjour Steve who ran well last time out in Heavy ground and he can improve for the switch to Good going today.

1 GOLD HUNTER – Drops back in trip and grade today following a luckless run at Brighton last time out, finishing third of six. There was money about for him that day and he could be relatively popular in the betting again although his career record of three wins from 32 starts is off-putting. Joshua Bryan claims a useful 5lbs and the market will guide best.

2 DEL PARCO – Lightly-raced 3yo making his sixth career start today. He’s tried in first-time blinkers having bumped into a useful sort at Ffos Las last time out on softer ground. He will appreciate the quicker conditions today although he may want some firm in the going having finished second on fast ground previously. Fran Berry takes over in the saddle and Clive Cox’s charge should go well off a mark of 75.

3 PICKET LINE – Cheekpieces are retained today following a 3-length third-placed effort last time out off this mark. He ran well that day and he won off this mark earlier in the season on Good ground so he should be set for another good performance today. He wouldn’t have the greatest amount in-hand though and will need to improve to get the better of a couple of these.

4 OEIL DE TIGRE – Tony Carroll’s yard aren’t in the greatest of form with just one winner from their last 31 runners. He beat Gold Hunter when the pair met over C&D back in July and there shouldn’t be much between them today although he is 3lbs higher than that winning mark. He could still be well-treated although he’s on poor terms with a few of his younger rivals in this.

5 SECRET POTION – Steps up in trip today which is a questionable move having been well-suited to the minimum trip. He needs to prove he’s as effective over 6 furlongs and he may need some rain to arrive to be seen to best effect although he has winning form on Good ground. A mark of 70 looks fair at this point and Luke Morris is an obvious positive in the saddle. Market should guide best.

6 PASTFACT – Goes in search of a hat-trick of wins today following two Class 6 handicap successes at Bath. He’s up in trip marginally and he’s another runner to prove he’s as effective over the full 6 furlong trip and a 5lb rise in the weights makes life tricky. He’s likely to be popular in the betting but a few others may provide better value in this. He may also need faster ground than forecast.

7 AIR OF YORK – Cheekpieces go back on today having been left off at Bath in a Class 4 handicap last time out. This drop in grade is a smart move and he is only 3lbs higher than his last winning mark so he’s not terribly treated at the weights. He’s only won once on the turf from 34 starts though and others make a bit more appeal today.

8 BONJOUR STEVE – Ran a fine race in a better grade than this last time out to finish third of six, beaten half a length. He races off the same mark today and he has form on Good ground so he should go well and David Probert is a positive booking in the saddle. He may only need to run to a similar level to get into contention here.

9 JACKSONFIRE – 19-race maiden who bumped into a useful enough sort at Leicester last time out. That form hasn’t exactly been enhanced and far more is required to get his head in-front in this more competitive event. He’ll be better suited to Class 6 company and can only be watched today for the Michael Mullineaux stable.

10 TALLY’S SONG – Another long-standing maiden, without a victory from 21 starts. Grace Harris’ filly steps up in trip today which may be a smart move having been consistently caught for a bit of speed over 5 furlongs but she’s out of the handicap in this and impossible to recommend on these terms.

11 POLKADOT PRINCESS – Races from out of the handicap and Nikki Evans’ filly also looks up against it here. She was beaten 12 lengths last time out at Bath over an extended 5 furlongs and whilst the step back up to 6 furlongs will suit, she looks to need softer ground and she will do well to be competitive on these terms. Best watched in this.