Chepstow Racecourse: Preview And Tips For Friday’s Seven-Race Jumps Card

By David Williams

Chepstow Racecourse hosts its latest Jumps card on Friday afternoon with a seven-race offering at the track as the cold snap sweeps across Britain.

Racing will get underway at 12.30pm with a two mile and three furlong maiden hurdle in class four before the last race of the day heads off at 3.59pm as a field of 14 take on the Bumper – a Flat race run over Jumps rules.

Read below to discover the latest tips and a full preview of Chepstow’s card on Friday courtesy of Sporting Life.

The Bluesman won a four-runner bumper contest at this track back in April and looks a good hurdling prospect for his trainer Paul Nicholls and the expensive £200,000 recruit makes his debut over obstacles on Friday’s card (12.30) in the opening two mile and three furlong maiden hurdle.

Today we head to @Chepstow_Racing to run Push To Pass.

Best of luck to his owner Harry Tincknell.

Read my thoughts ⬇️ https://t.co/IbWm11K0KC @OLBG pic.twitter.com/7D9LJrqFgD

— Harry Derham (@Harry05Derham) November 22, 2024

Espoir Des Forges found only a Willie Mullins-trained rival too good when last seen and rates the chief threat here for trainer Mel Rowley.

Plenty of runners boast potential in the class four novices’ handicap chase to mark race two on the Chepstow card (1.05).

Ryan’s Rocket, a £110,000 recruit from the Irish point-to-point scene, made a good start to life over hurdles with back to back wins but disappointed in the Grade 2 Persian War when last seen but still remains a very bright prospect for trainer Fergal O’Brien.

Smart bumper performer Hasthing looks one to be interested in now he is sent chasing for the first time, while Just Over Land is a consistent performer and returned from a six-month absence with a second of eight in a handicap contest at Ffos Las six weeks ago so will come on well for that spin.

After an unfortunate incident last time, Range returns to @Chepstow_Racing tomorrow to tackle the @NoahsArkHospice H’Cap Chase at 2:15. @samtwiston rides for @SammyTRacing and the race is live on @SkySportsRacing #PotterGroup @arenaracingco pic.twitter.com/XtREZjBWxx

— Potter Group Racing (@PotterGRacing) November 21, 2024

A class four novices’ hurdle over the two-mile trip is race three on the card at 1.40 and Nicholls could bring up a quick double on the card with Byzantium, a winner of his sole Flat start in France before joining the top yard in Ditcheat and finishing second of 13 in a Taunton novice hurdle and has since had a wind operation so could well be tough to beat.

Billytherealbigred looks the one to beat in race four (2.15) as a field of eleven head to post for the class three handicap chase over two and a half miles.

The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerreiro-trained runner won all three of his completed starts last term and made an impressive start to chasing at Bangor last month so can go in again here to continue his rapid ascent and add to his winning tally.

It’s now 28 winners for the season for jockey @BenJone04644251 after today’s double at our sister course @FfosLasRC – he scored aboard Jig’s Forge and Cast’s Tasha. There were also doubles for David Bass and @GavinSheehan92. pic.twitter.com/Otp6vDvvrM

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) November 20, 2024

Cooleenymore is the play in race five (2.50) having taken very well to fences last term and made an encouraging return after six months off for the new campaign when fifth of 16 at Hereford last time out, while the penultimate race on the card (3.25) can go the way of Loverdose, a winner at Exeter and at this track on his last two spins so can complete the hat-trick here over a longer trip, which should suit him to a tee.

Finally, the card comes to a close with the Bumper (3.59) and preference in the finale, held over the two-mile trip, goes to Sinatra for the Nicholls team, a €205,00 Walk In The Park gelding that is closely related to four previous winners including the useful Maria’s Benefit – plus Nicholls won this race last year with Below The Radar.

Chepstow selections – Friday

12.30 – The Bluesman
1.05 – Ryan’s Rocket
1.40 – Byzantium
2.15 – Billytherealbigred
2.50 – Cooleenymore
3.25 – Loverdose
3.59 – Sinatra