UK Horse Racing Tips: Chepstow

The Bluesman ended last season in bumpers with a dominant display at this venue. Paul Nicholls' charge scored by 14 lengths that day and he must enter calculations on his hurdles bow. However, ESPOIR DES FORGES has hit the frame on both appearances over timber and that experience could prove crucial. Seatoit is another who is making his first appearance over the smaller obstacles and it will be interesting to see if his supporters return after a slightly underwhelming 10th at Cheltenham last month.
Prediction : 1st Espoir Des Forges 2nd The Bluesman 3rd Seatoit

Although disappointing when finishing a well-beaten fourth in the Persian War here last month, RYAN'S ROCKET appeared too keen for the extended 2m3f distance. The six-year-old previously completed a double over hurdles, which worked out well, and a mark of 121 on his chase debut could prove fruitful, more so reverting to 2m. Western General warrants respect racing off 8lb higher than his victory at Newton Abbot 23 days ago and he may serve the most resistance to the selection, ahead of Just Over Land.
Prediction : 1st Ryans Rocket 2nd Western General 3rd Just Over Land

Byzantium is entitled to build on last season's hurdles bow when runner-up at Taunton, but that maiden contest hasn't worked out as hoped and the four-year-old may be worth taking on. Although penalised for his breakthrough victory at Uttoxeter 35 days ago, the Ben Case-trained WINDSURFER is entitled to build on that return to action and he looks capable of following up. The Winslow Boy arrives on the back of a respectable third at Worcester and he shouldn't be far away.
Prediction : 1st Windsurfer 2nd Byzantium 3rd The Winslow Boy

Barring a mishap at Ayr two starts ago, BILLYTHEREALBIGRED would come into this contest unbeaten for the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero stable. The four-year-old made a strong impression on his chase debut at Bangor last month and, with further improvement likely, he could prove hard to beat. Donnacha failed to fire when he finished third at Carlisle last time, but he is an interesting contender on his first attempt at this distance off a 2lb lower mark. Range is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Billytherealbigred 2nd Donnacha 3rd Range

PETTY CASH occupied the runner-up berth in this grade at Stratford in May and has since undergone a wind operation. The son of Getaway shaped as if he would relish this extra distance on that occasion and could be the one to beat off 1lb lower. Haas Boy finished a well-beaten third over hurdles on his first start for the Emma Lavelle yard last month and might be able to get closer in this sphere. Zero Tolerance looks the best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Petty Cash 2nd Haas Boy 3rd Zero Tolerance

Harry Cobden has an impressive 20-percent strike-rate when riding for Robert Walford and he could enhance that record further courtesy of LOVERDOSE. Worth more than the winning margin would suggest over 2m here last month, a step up in trip should suit the unexposed five-year-old, while a 6lb rise in the handicap does not appear overly harsh. Hidden History defeated a now 129-rated rival at Lingfield when last seen in February so he could prove far better than an opening mark of 115. Others to note include Holly Hartingo, Push To Pass and Boyles Hill.
Prediction : 1st Loverdose 2nd Hidden History 3rd Holly Hartingo

There has been no stopping Paul Nicholls following a slow start to the season and Sinnatra appeals as a likely candidate with that in mind, but the newly-formed father and son partnership of Jonjo and A J O'Neill have started brightly too and ASSERTIVE WALK might be worth chancing. The stoutly-bred son of Walk In The Park fetched 85,000-euros as a three-year-old and, on paper at least, looks to hold a live chance. Pure Blue and Harry Bright are just two others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Assertive Walk 2nd Sinnatra 3rd Pure Blue