UK Horse Racing Tips: Chepstow

Runner-up in a point-to-point previously, IDEFIX DE CIERGUES should relish going up to almost three miles, having run with plenty of credit on his last two starts. The six-year-old could not justify short odds over the extended 2m3f here last time out, but he rallied well for second towards the finish and gets the vote ahead of Face D'music, who unseated at Ascot last time out but is better judged on his pair of second-placed efforts at Hereford. Runner-up here last December over shorter, Magical Escape is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Idefix De Ciergues 2nd Face Dmusic 3rd Magical Escape

BONZA BOY was one of only two finishers when bounding clear for a facile success on soft ground at Exeter last time out, and a 10lb rise could prove lenient as he aims to follow up under similar conditions. The form of his stable is another plus and he may have too much for the mare Lost Connections, who has not been in action since scoring at Ludlow last May. Runner-up on each of his last three starts over C&D, Walkinthewoods deserves a change in luck but may be vulnerable again.
Prediction : 1st Bonza Boy 2nd Lost Connections 3rd Walkinthewoods

BALLEE may have a 12lb penalty to overcome for a pair of successes at Taunton, but the ease with which he made all last time out suggested that there should be even more to come. Soft ground is a question mark, though he should still have too much class for the likes of Cloud Dancer and Phantomofthepoints, who has yet to rediscover the form he showed when narrowly denied on his hurdles debut at Ayr last December.
Prediction : 1st Ballee 2nd Phantomofthepoints 3rd Cloud Dancer

Although finishing down the field in the ultra-competitive Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, CALICO should fare much better in these calmer waters. A reproduction of his runner-up effort at Doncaster in January may prove sufficient, with amateur Sean O'Connor good value for his 7lb claim. The biggest threat may emerge from Prince Quali, who landed a first victory on these shores when scoring over C&D in late February, while Sans Bruit may prove more competitive on this return to chasing.
Prediction : 1st Calico 2nd Prince Quali 3rd Sans Bruit

IL VA DE SOI travelled with a lot more verve in first-time cheekpieces when finding only a progressive rival too strong in a competitive affair at Newbury last month. Harry Derham's gelding finished 24 lengths ahead of the third that day and, now that Alice Stevens' 5lb claim can be used, the six-year-old is effectively racing off a 3lb lower mark. Although thwarted in his hat-trick bid at Uttoxeter in March, One Eye On Vegas was far from disgraced in that third-placed effort and he's feared most, ahead of Florencethemachine.
Prediction : 1st Il Va De Soi 2nd One Eye On Vegas 3rd Florencethemachine

SUBLIME HEIGHTS is handicapped to be competitive and a repeat of his penultimate second at Plumpton in January off a 1lb higher mark may suffice in a contest lacking depth on paper. Aeronisi is entitled to improve following his return from a lengthy absence at Doncaster, while Eceparti took a step back in the right direction when runner-up over C&D last month and could have more to offer on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Sublime Heights 2nd Aeronisi 3rd Eceparti

CELTIC DINO sets the standard based on his victory at Ascot in November and his subsequent third in a Listed event at the same track just before Christmas. Despite giving 7lb and upwards to the opposition, this appears to be a decent opportunity for the five-year-old before going hurdling next season. The Bluesman placed in a Kempton bumper on his Rules debut and shaped as though he would benefit from a stiffer test of stamina. Woodland Park and Shade Of Winter complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Dino 2nd The Bluesman 3rd Woodland Park