UK Horse Racing Tips: Chepstow

Paul Nicholls has won this four times in the last 10 years, including 12 months ago with Secret Investor, and it would be no surprise to see his TREVELYN'S CORN take centre stage here. The champion trainer often uses this as a stepping stone towards bigger targets and following a season learning his trade last term, this expensive purchase may potentially thrive following wind surgery, with the drop in trip looking ideal for now. It is interesting that Thyme Hill is pitched straight into Graded company for his hurdles debut following some high-class form in bumpers last season. His third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham can't be sniffed at and his handler is capable of readying one for their first outing of the season. Fergal O'Brien often targets this race and his Champagne Well ran some fine efforts in defeats in the early part of the year, while Some Day Soon arrives unbeaten in four and despite not possessing the reputation of some of his rivals, can't be ignored following his summer in the sun.
Prediction : 1st Trevelyns Corn 2nd Thyme Hill 3rd Champagne Well

This race has been won by some future top-level operators in the past and FLIC OU VOYOU could follow in the footsteps of stablemate Dynamite Dollars, who took this in 2017. The only blot on the four-year-old's copybook came when pitched into the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and the two-time Wincanton winner, who is well regarded by connections, could develop into a handy performer over obstacles. Proschema was rated 105 when at his peak on the Flat and is interesting having joined Dan Skelton ahead of his hurdles debut, while Colin Tizzard has started off Lostintranslation and Reserve Tank in this race in the last two years and therefore his pair of Harry Senior and Ofalltheginjoints require plenty of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Flic Ou Voyou 2nd Proschema 3rd Ofalltheginjoints

LISNAGAR OSCAR was a regular at the business end in some top contests as a novice hurdler last season, winning a Grade 2 at Haydock in February before running with credit at both Aintree and Cheltenham in the spring. This could be ideal starting point for the course winner, who looks to have the ideal attitude to flourish as a staying chaser, and he rates as the one to beat here. Some of Truckers Lodge's best efforts have come at this venue and he was only beaten a neck on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot in May. De Name Evades Me's second to Aux Ptits Soins at Cheltenham on New Year's Day marks him out as another to consider as he switches to the larger obstacles.
Prediction : 1st Lisnagar Oscar 2nd Truckers Lodge 3rd De Name Evades Me

JOE FARRELL was fancied to give a solid account when pulled up in the Grand National and can be forgiven his subsequent effort in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown when appearing to be feeling the effects of his Aintree run. He is just 2lb higher than a fine effort when second at Newbury in March and could have more to offer despite his veteran status. The Young Master warmed up for this with a spin on the Flat at Kempton nine days ago and is respected having won at this meeting 12 months ago. Others to note include Regal Encore, who has had wind surgery after finishing down the field in the Galway Plate, and Vieux Lion Rouge.
Prediction : 1st Joe Farrell 2nd The Young Master 3rd Regal Encore

SCARAMANGA has displayed a fair amount of promise since joining Paul Nicholls and ran well when second in a competitive juvenile handicap hurdle at Ascot. He remains open to improvement on his fifth outing over timber in a contest his handler has won five times since 2010. Lucky Lover Boy landed the hat-trick at Bangor when last seen over timber and he enters calculations along with Fred Winter fourth King D'Argent, who has had wind surgery since that outing.
Prediction : 1st Scaramanga 2nd Lucky Lover Boy 3rd King DArgent

Still Believing landed this prize last year off 3lb lower but hasn't been in the same form this year, recording disappointing efforts at Uttoxeter and Market Rasen in September for Evan Williams. Troubled Soul has performed well fresh in the past but has found one too good on the last three occasions, and the door is open for PRETTYLITTLETHING. Recently seen finishing second at Fontwell five weeks ago, she won't mind this return to fences and should appreciate the extra distance.
Prediction : 1st Prettylittlething 2nd Troubled Soul 3rd Still Believing

Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals and could do so once more with the smart SILVER FOREVER. Twice a bumper winner before just falling short in a competitive Listed event at Sandown in March, the five-year-old could prove an exciting type to follow this season if anywhere near as good as last year's hero, Posh Trish. This step up in trip will suit, and she can account for Just A Thought, who ran in Grade 2 company when last seen in 2018, and Early Days, who is with Colin Tizzard now after finishing second in an Irish point-to-point.
Prediction : 1st Silver Forever 2nd Just A Thought 3rd Early Days