It’s Chepstow’s first flat meeting of the season this Thursday (May 21st).
There are seven races from 5.30pm. Gates open two hours before that and the evening should provide perfect after-work entertainment.
A total of 61 runners have been declared including two from the Irish yard of Gordon Elliott, a trainer usually seen at Chepstow during the winter jumping campaign.
Also among the entries is Snuggle, a consistent gelding having his first start for local trainer Thomas Faulkner. Off since July, he used to be trained by Clare Hobson, but is now with the Devauden-based Faulkner, who is having a decent time of things. The in-form Saffie Osborne rides.
It could pay to keep an eye on Faulkner’s El Bufalo in the Class 4 5f handicap (6.05pm) as the chestnut is a likeable and talented sort who could still have improvement in him.
Another plus is the fact the trainer has turned to riding sensation Billy Loughnane for the mount.
Fresh from his 2,000 Guineas triumph on Bow Echo, Loughnane has had just nine rides for Faulkner, but has still managed to partner four winners.
In the Class 6 5f handicap (6.40pm), local trainer Chris Mason is represented by Forever Glamorous, who has yet to get off the mark in seven appearances, but has shown glimpses of ability, including when a close second at Windsor recently.
Sean Bowen has launched his quest to overhaul AP McCoy’s record tally of 289 wins in a season. He rode 10 winners last week as his travels took him from the Midlands to the West Country, then to Merseyside via Scotland. Nine of those victories were on board horses trained by Olly Murphy, who has started the new season in blistering form.
Perhaps the most noteworthy of the lot was the win of Road to Wembley, who carried the familiar colours of Sir Alex Ferguson to an impressive success in a novice hurdle at Aintree.
Brother James made the trip to Perth worthwhile by riding a double on Castle Ivers and Sir Carnegie, while at Hereford he enjoyed a walkover as Queensbury Boy’s only intended rival in a novice chase couldn’t make it to the track due to traffic problems.
Mickey Bowen, who trains Queensbury Boy, was also in winning form at the sales. He picked up two promising juvenile hurdlers in the sales ring in France as part of the inaugural Aktem Grand Steeple Selection Sale.
Brecon jockey Charlie Price’s good start to the campaign continued with winners at Aintree and Uttoxeter, while Sam Thomas saddled a winner with his first runner of the term as Special John was a comfortable winner of a three-mile handicap at Bangor-on-Dee.
