UK Horse Racing Tips: Chepstow

Kapal Layar sets the standard with an official rating of 106 and the son of Milan is expected to go close, but the vote goes to debutant TYRRHENUS. Dan Skelton's gelding is a half-brother to two hurdle winners, most notably West Balboa, and it's unlikely he'd need to be anything out of the ordinary to make a winning start. Five Quarters finished a well-held second on his hurdling bow last month, but the winner of that race could be useful.
Prediction : 1st Tyrrhenus 2nd Kapal Layar 3rd Five Quarters

KING ARISE can count himself unfortunate to have bumped into a couple of improvers on his last two starts, most recently at Uttoxeter last month. The son of Kingston Hill was raised 5lb for that latest effort but Luke Scott negates that rise with his claim and the eight-year-old is fancied to gain compensation. Royal Jewel won over 2m here recently and he won't mind the return to this trip while, Red Nika looks sure to appreciate a drop in distance.
Prediction : 1st King Arise 2nd Royal Jewel 3rd Red Nika

An open contest in which only a tentative vote goes to IKARAK, who has been successful on each of his last two starts over hurdles either side of a disappointing effort over fences. Olly Murphy's charge appears to have turned a corner this campaign and a subsequent 4lb rise for his latest Warwick triumph should be no barrier to further success. Guard The Moon continues to knock on the door and must be respected, along with Firestream, who made a winning return to action last month. Others to note include Icare Allen and last year's victor Classic Concorde.
Prediction : 1st Ikarak 2nd Guard The Moon 3rd Firestream

JAVERT ALLEN has looked a natural over fences thus far, and a further 5lb rise for a comfortable success over the reopposing Harper's Brook (second) at Newbury in December may not be enough to prevent him from landing the hat-trick. A consistent sort throughout this season, including when runer-up over C&D in December, Dr T J Eckleburg must enter calculations, along with Prince Quali.
Prediction : 1st Javert Allen 2nd Dr T J Eckleburg 3rd Prince Quali

Now that BUCEPHALUS has regained the winning thread after a determined success at Newbury last month, the eight-year-old's confidence will be high and he can follow up off 7lb higher. A promising third on his most recent start at Warwick after having wind surgery in December, Sao Carlos can give him the most to think about. Veteran course specialist Zambezi Fix has dropped 5lb below his last winning mark and cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Bucephalus 2nd Sao Carlos 3rd Zambezi Fix

Stepping up from 2m to this trip was a key factor in C'EST DIFFERENT justifying favouritism in a conditional riders' race at Carlisle on Monday and, assuming the quick turnaround isn't an issue, the low-mileage five-year-old must hold every chance of following up off the same mark. Staff Sergeant Len also has untapped potential over this distance and is feared most on that basis. Arctic Saint and Bridget Mary are noted too.
Prediction : 1st Cest Different 2nd Staff Sergeant Len 3rd Arctic Saint

JUST GOLDEN, who cost 120,000 euros as a three-year-old, made an encouraging start when second in a Hereford bumper in December and is fancied to go one place better with that experience to draw upon. Douglas Hyde and Pertemps have also shown some promise and are musts for betting checks given their equal scope for progression. Point-to-point winner Sage Green also merits close inspection.
Prediction : 1st Just Golden 2nd Douglas Hyde 3rd Pertemps