5.30 Chepstow – Dutch Decoy (Win)
Dutch Decoy has been a frustrating horse for his backers this season, but last time out he bounced back to form to finish second in the Golden Mile handicap at Glorious Goodwood. He was a bit unlucky that day, as he was drawn wide and the winner got the first run on him. This will be an easier race than what he’s been running in, and as a result, he’s 5lb well in at the weights. I don’t see the track being an issue for him as he’s run well at Newmarket on numerous occasions in the past, which isn’t too dissimilar to Chepstow. Overall, I just think his class will prevail and he can finally get his head in front for Team Scotland.
6.00 Chepstow – Brunel Charm (Win)
This is a difficult race to solve, but Brunel Charm is a horse, who I still think could be open to improvement. The three-year-old gelding has run very well for Richard Hughes this season and been campaigned in some hot races. He was last seen running a respectable third at Newmarket, rallying close home. That form has been boosted as the second-placed horse, Run Boy Run, won last week, so it needs to be taken seriously. He might be a bit too short for some people, but I do think he’s the most likely winner.
6.30 Chepstow – Ingra Tor (Win)
I think Ingra Tor makes the most appeal here for Jack Channon. He’s not been disgraced on the majority of his starts this year, even though he hasn’t found the winners’ enclosure. His last run saw him finish third at the Racing League meeting at Yarmouth, where he was just edged out of things close home. I think the up-and-down nature of the track will suit him better at Chepstow as most of his best form is at Newmarket, which, as I previously mentioned, isn’t dissimilar either. The son of Churchill is only 1lb above his last winning mark, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to come good here.
7.00 Chepstow – Radio Goo Goo EW
Radio Goo Goo has been showing a lot of early speed in races, and I think the drop back to 5f will be a huge plus. This four-year-old filly was last seen making the running over 6f at York, but she just didn’t quite last home. She hasn’t raced over the bare minimum for a while, so it’s interesting to see connections taking this route. With a good draw in Stall 10 and a track that can favour front runners, she could be hard to peg back for Wales and The West.
7.30 Chepstow – Walter Hartwright (Win)
Walter Hartwright has just been a cash machine for punters this summer, and he arrives here seeking a five-timer. The last time we saw him, he won at the Racing League meeting at Yarmouth, and he was eased down close home, suggesting there was plenty more left in the tank. Furthermore, he won’t mind coming back to Chepstow after winning here in July. It’s likely Daniel Muscutt will probably ride him handy, and if he does, I expect him to be a tough nut to crack.
8.00 Chepstow – Fantasy Believer (Each Way)
Several of these met last month in the Racing League event at Yarmouth, but I am going to be looking elsewhere. The one I was quite interested in was Fantasy Believer for Ed Walker. He was a good winner last time out at Ascot, and he now finds himself on the same mark as when he finished third at this event last year. I just think he’s an ultra-reliable and consistent performer, unlike some here, and we know he’ll handle the track. I would be disappointed if he couldn’t be in the frame.
8.30 Chepstow – Streets Of Gold (Each Way)
Streets Of Gold probably didn’t quite stay the mile last time out when he ran in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, so dropping back to 7f makes sense. The son of Havana Gold has struggled in handicaps this season, as he’s competed off a high mark, but the handicapper has brought his rating down, and a mark of 104 in this field looks alright. He’s won at the course before, and Charles Bishop takes the ride, and he knows him really well, so he has some positives going for him. In what looks like a trappy race, I think he represents the best value.
Bet Of The Day: 5.30 Dutch Decoy