UK Horse Racing Tips: Chepstow

RAMBO T arguably sets the standard having placed in three timber outings to date and Olly Murphy's six-year-old may not need to improve on those performances to get off the mark. Boom Boom displayed promise behind a smart individual in a couple of bumpers last season, but he needs to bounce back from a moderate hurdling bow at Ascot in November. A Definite Getaway could be in the mix if repeating the level of his fourth at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.
Prediction : 1st Rambo T 2nd Boom Boom 3rd A Definite Getaway

IOUPY COLLONGES won a bumper at Hereford in November before filling the runner-up berth when switched to hurdles for the first time at Exeter last month. The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old is expected to be sharper for that initial effort over timber and gets the vote to go one better. Hands Off ran out at Doncaster on his latest appearance, which leaves a cause for concern. With that in mind, Moonshine Spirit and Bertie Blue appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Ioupy Collonges 2nd Moonshine Spirit 3rd Bertie Blue

INCA DE LAFAYETTE shaped as though he would benefit from his first run since April when sixth here earlier in the month. It could also be argued that Paul Nicholls' grey didn't quite get home over a longer trip and he appears to have plenty in his favour. Totterdown won on his only start this season, at Leicester in November, and is expected to give another bold account from the front. Go Dante is of interest dropping back in distance after racing too freely on his return at Uttoxeter.
Prediction : 1st Inca De Lafayette 2nd Totterdown 3rd Go Dante

HENSCHKE struck at the second time of asking over fences when winning at Ffos Las last month, and Warren Greatrex's charge could continue his progress despite a subsequent 5lb rise. Hometown Hero appeals as his main danger having been narrowly denied at Uttoxeter last time out, while Jack In The Box, who was largely consistent when trained by Gordon Elliott, must also enter calculations ahead of his stable debut.
Prediction : 1st Henschke 2nd Hometown Hero 3rd Jack In The Box

A fiendishly difficult handicap to unpick, and only a tentative vote can go to THE KNIPHAND. The five-year-old arrives having notched up back-to-back victories at Doncaster, the latest from a 7lb lower mark. He remains unexposed, though, and further improvement would appear to be on the cards. Bear Ghylls ought to appreciate the return to hurdling after a couple of tame efforts over the larger obstacles, and he's respected despite having to carry a hefty weight. Others to note include Top Of The Bill, My Bobby Dazzler and Kings Keeper.
Prediction : 1st The Kniphand 2nd Bear Ghylls 3rd Top Of The Bill

NOT AVAILABLE took full advantage of a sliding handicap mark when successful at Wincanton last month, for which he was subsequently raised 6lb in the ratings. He remains well treated, however, having won off higher figures in the past, and Matt Sheppard's charge is fancied to repeat the dose. Galop De Chasse looks set to mount another serious challenge following his recent Hereford triumph, while Destined To Shine must also enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Not Available 2nd Galop De Chasse 3rd Destined To Shine

Ali Star Bert justified strong market support when winning over 3m at Uttoxeter two weeks ago, while To Be Sure wasn't devoid of promise at Ffos Las last time and holds each-way claims with cheekpieces fitted. The vote, however, goes to SPOTTY DOG, who backed up his Huntingdon success with a solid placed effort at Hereford most recently. He lines up off the same mark now and is fancied to go very close.
Prediction : 1st Spotty Dog 2nd Ali Star Bert 3rd To Be Sure

BEAT THE BAT shaped with tons of promise when a short-head second on his debut at Wincanton on Boxing Day (Choccabloc third) and normal improvement would make him difficult to beat in this contest. Home Free probably ran to a similar level when finding only one too strong at Wetherby on his introduction and he can show up well again, while Cawthorne Banker and Kruger Park are others to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Beat The Bat 2nd Home Free 3rd Choccabloc