The jumping action from Chepstow continues live on Sky Sports Racing on Sunday…
3.47 Chepstow – Hot feature of the competition for Minimum Service and Cric Leader
The main event on day three of the Wales Festival of Racing is DragonBet Supports the Welsh Horse Racing Handicap where the Service Minimum and Leader Crik lock horns.
The team of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies continue in excellent form and The leader of the Jack appears to have major claims in his first downfall in the disabled company. A 12-length winner of a maiden hurdle at Doncaster in February, he progresses in distance and rates a key player under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Minimum service is another coming off the back of a run, having scored at Newton Abbot last month. She’s up to another six pounds, but may have more to give now by facing further.
Matty’s Escape should be considered as he finished last season with a win at Haydock and a repeat of that would see him close.
4.22 Chepstow – Haas Boy takes on Ooh Betty
In shape The Haas boy looking for a hat-trick in a good renewal of DragonBet born in the senior handicap hurdles in Wales.
The Chester Williams-trained nine-year-old bounced back with a minor score at Wincanton in March before continuing at Ascot the same month. He returns from a summer break with obvious odds outside of this low point.
Oh Betty is the main danger for Ben Clarke and Ben Jones. She landed the Grade Two Warfield Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot in January and ran on credit at Cheltenham and Ayr. This is a drop in grade and it should be included.
Iron Norn AND Prince Gower are a stable couple, while Glengoule it is worth mentioning going back to obstacles.
1.27 Chepstow – Princess Day, Divine Diva and Connells Cross head field
Exciting trio Princess Day, Divine Diva and Connells Cross clash in the opener DragonBet / EBF Mares’ National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.
Princess Day showed excellent form winning her first two bumpers after scoring her only point and was sent off the 2/1 favorite when beaten at Aintree Grade Two in April. Finishing ahead of the resurgent Divine Diva, it looks like she will be chasing over the hurdles this season.
Divine divaa point-to-point winner last March, ran a screamer when third in Listed company at Cheltenham in November before finishing well in that Aintree event. This can be forgiven and it remains a useful prospect.
Connells Cross scored in two of her three bumper starts for Jennie Candlish and makes her hurdles and stable debuts for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls. The tongue tie continues, but it can be above average.
The best of the rest
4.57 Chepstow – The Skeltons Old Coast Road offers to go 2-2.
3.12 Chepstow – Progressive Port light faces 12 rivals.
4.17 Auteuil – Second class heat won by McTigue and Theleme in the past.
2.50 Auteuil – Third grade competition.
4.50 Auteuil – Third grade with last year’s winner Blue diamond included.