The Paul Nicholls' trained Natal heads the weights in the first at Chepstow and is likely to be popular but he hasn't won over this trip and doesn't convince he'll stay. The two Hobbs' horses would make some appeal if the stable were in better form. I will watch the novice Sultan Fontenaille as he looks less exposed than several of these but I'll pass over this race.
The 2.00 hurdle race for four year olds looks intriguing with the Triumph hurdle form represented by Liberate and Mobaasher. The favourite has won this on five occasions in the last ten years; I'm going out on a limb and will support
Is It Me each way at a big price. This horse had early season form with eventual Triumph winnner Katchit last term. He went off the boil but is with a new yard now, has been running on the Flat and the booking of McCoy catches the eye.
I'm surprised to see Vivid Imagination entered in the three mile novice chase (2.35) as he didn't appear to stay when falling at Exeter three days ago. On paper Petit Lord looks the most likely winner but his price will be too short for betting purposes.
The favourite has won seven of the last eight runnings of the juvenile novice hurdle, which is due off at 3.40. Franchoek ran a little free at Market Rasen last time but did well to finish third behind Falcon's Fire and Soliya in a race that was probably the best of its kind run so far this season. Qrackers and Serabad look interesting newcomers but I'll support
Franchoek with Alan King's yard starting to hit form.
The unbeaten Theatrical Moment makes his hurdle debut at 4.15 and is considered a future star. He will start long odds on and makes no appeal as a betting medium.
Over at Bangor-On-Dee The King Of Angels and Henry's Pride catch the eye in the Totesport.com Handicap Chase (3.25). Henry's Pride won easily last time out, has a similar profile to previous winners and is the Racing Post's top rated horse by some way. On bare form I think
The King Of Angels has acheived more and, as a five year old, should have improvement to come, so he gets the vote.
I'll be tempted to take a chance with
Sunday City at 3/1 or bigger in the novice chase (4.00). Finally, in the novice hurdle at 4.35, Evan Williams'
King Cyrus looks a value bet at around 9/2.