Racecards
12:35 Chepstow
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Persian War Novices' Hurdle (Class A)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 111132
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer D Williams
- Jockey R Wakley
led 5th, headed approaching 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
- Form 1150F1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
led to 2nd, headed 4th, led again 7th, weakened when left 2nd 3 out
- Form 12U11-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey A P McCoy
very keen, held up, headway to lead after 7th, fell 3 out
- Form 05P02/P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey Miss P Gundry
always in rear, tailed off
- Form 1-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
raced keen, held up, headway 5th, challenged on bit when left clear 3 out, not fluent next, comfortably
- Form F11-112
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
led 2nd, blundered, headed 5th, ridden and outpaced from 7th, ran on approaching last, no chance with winner
In depth
Verdict
Maybe The Business is held in very high regard and was impressive in his bumpers last season. The gelding, from the Paul Nicholls yard, made a winning debut last season at Wincanton when easily beating Noughtynova on soft ground, then showed his versatility when winning at Ayr on fast ground when defeating Laouen under a penalty. He has reportedly schooled well at home and will be hard to beat with his stable in top form. Supreme Prince is also unbeaten, having won well on his hurdles debut over this course and distance when defeating Tana River but this is a big step up in class for him. However he is from a very shrewd yard and should not be underestimated. Yorkshire was very impressive in run of the mill novice hurdles in the summer but will find this tougher having to give weight away to all his rivals. The Irish raider Native Sparkle is also worthy of consideration as he was a good winner of a Grade 3 Novice Hurdle at Navan last time out when defeating Nonchalant. He goes on the ground and must be considered with Charlie Swan taking the ride. Priests Bridge is also a bumper winner but his form does not look as good as that of his main rivals and the TEAMtalk vote has to go to Maybe The Business.