Racehorse owner David Klein was over the moon when Be An Angel struck at Salisbury last week and is hoping for a similar outcome when she appears at Chepstow tomorrow.
Trained in Devon by Rod Millman, the four-year-old filly runs in the 6f handicap at 5pm, which is one of seven races at the Monmouthshire venue.
The first is due off at 2.05pm and gates open two hours before that, while a dry and sunny day is forecast, so Klein, who lives in Lambourn and has owned horses for 24 years, will not need his umbrella.
“I’ve never had a winner at Chepstow, but had a share in a horse who finished third there and it’s not too far to get to,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going and Be An Angel had fallen to a nice mark, so we expected a big showing at Salisbury and were really pleased. Hopefully she’ll be able to continue in that vein of form at Chepstow.
“Last year, she was running to marks in the 70s, so off 56 last week she had to go close and we think there’s more to come. She likes good summer ground - nothing too extreme - and the first-time cheekpieces also helped at Salisbury as she can lose concentration and look around when she gets to the front, thinking she’s done enough.”
The enthusiastic Klein, who runs a signage company, bred Be An Angel out of a mare called Angel Mead, whom he also raced in his distinctive black and yellow silks.
“There was delight all round and it’s extra special when you’ve bred them. Any winner is great, but breeding one means more and she’s won twice now, and is turning into a useful filly.
“She’s in good form and this race at Chepstow is a good spot for her, while I don’t think she had that hard a race last week. She’s fit and well, and we want to make hay while the sun is shining. I hope, after getting her head in front, she’s full of confidence and we expect her to go close and pay her way this season.”
Brian Meehan will hope that also applies to Lyrics Of Life, who runs in the fillies’ maiden at 2.05pm.
She was well beaten in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot last time, but has some smart form on her CV and should be hard to beat.
Abergavenny trainer David Evans, who has plenty of winners at Chepstow, has no runners there tomorrow, but his string remain in good heart as evidenced by success at Chester last week, while he enjoyed a cross-code brace at Newton Abbot and Windsor on Monday.
David Probert, who comes from Bargoed, was also at the double on Monday, partnering Dannick and Henfield to victory at Lingfield.
Those strikes came off the back of a fine weekend for the rider, who won a £100,000 heritage handicap at Ascot on Saturday on the Hugo Palmer-trained Dubai Bling.
“He’s a brave horse as he spent the winter in Bahrain and has come back to Britain and been ultra-consistent,” Probert told Sky Sports Racing. “He’s a nice horse to deal with and has plenty of ability when he has a strong pace to aim at. I’m delighted for his owners and it’s a great pot to pick up.”
After Chepstow races tomorrow, the next meeting at the course comes on Friday week, when the track stages its Rum & Reggae Caribbean Racenight, which features a live performance from UB40 among other attractions.
Gates open at 3pm with the first race due off at 5.18pm and full details for the evening, including discounts, ticket prices and how to purchase them, can be found on Chepstow’s website.
The next racing at Ffos Las, meanwhile, comes on July 28, when a six-race card, starting at 6pm, is scheduled. Tickets are free if booked in advance.
