The ground has gone soft at Chepstow, as a result of significant overnight rain. Conditions will only get softer between now and when racing starts, with further rain expected. This means you’ll be looking to select horses with proven records in testing conditions. We’ve picked out four such horses for you to consider, on what should be a cracking day of racing. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Followango absolutely bolted up on her rules debut in a bumper at Ffos Las. If there’s any horse that is well set to cope with testing conditions, it’s one that has won on heavy ground at that track. Evan Williams’ mare has plenty of potential on that evidence and should go well on her first start over timber here.
First Flow has a terrific record in testing ground, finishing first or second in eight of his 11 starts on soft. Kim Bailey’s charge is also a six-time winner from eight starts on heavy ground. Whatever the going is by race time, conditions should be absolutely perfect for him and he’s entitled to improve for his latest run. A big effort should be on the cards here.
Mario De Pail has a fair record on both soft and heavy ground. His last win came over hurdles at Wetherby on soft, back in November 2020 for Sam Thomas. That win came off a mark of 133 and he’s currently rated 5lb lower. Injuries have plagued this horse in recent years but there were signs of a revival at Carlisle last time out and he should go well off this mark.
Iwilldoit won the Welsh National on similarly soft ground back in 2021 and won the Classic Chase at Warwick on heavy ground last season. There will be few runners in the field that will have the stamina reserves that this lad has and he should be very competitive. He kicked the campaign off with a solid second over hurdles and the return to fences and a marathon trip will be to his advantage.
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