Nico de Boinville: “He finished third in this race in 2018 and he has each-way claims again”

2.12 Chepstow

Gunnery

He was often far too keen for his own good last season, and you can forget his last run at Southwell in July, where he wasn’t at his best.  But he is a fair sort when it all falls right for him. He was a smart stayer on the Flat and his win at Doncaster in December showed you what he can do. He is 13lb higher here but I still think he is on a fair mark if he runs up to his best.

2.47pm Chepstow

Brave Eagle

The less rain from now on, the better for him. We haven’t seen him since his below-par run in the Ultima in March but at least he has been eased 1lb in the weights and his record tells us he goes well when fresh. He finished a good third in this race back in 2018 and you can give him each-way chances again, especially if the ground doesn’t ride too bad. The race has cut up a fair bit too, which helps.

4.32pm Chepstow

Casablanca Minx

She is similar to Brave Eagle in that she wouldn’t want the ground to be too grueling, and she goes well enough off a break. She went up to a mark of 154 after winning at Market Rasen last year but at least she has come down to 150 after her latest Doncaster run – not that it was very recent, being in December – and this trip on good to soft would be ideal for her. She is a very smart mare on her day when she gets her conditions.

5.42pm Chepstow

The Bomber Liston

He has a good pedigree – he is a Yeats half-brother to bumper winner Searching For Gold, and his dam won plenty of races on the Flat and over jumps  – and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do in his own right.