Monday's runners were a couple of duds, one more than the other, but we still walked away with no profit.
The each-way selection, Without Delay, was backed in before the off, and ran with plenty of credit but missed the places by a neck.
Havanagreattime tried to force the pace, but was pestered on the front end and went out like a light within the final furlong or so.
Bear Rock 7/2 (1pt) – Chepstow 4.20
It was a shame that Arnaz didn't frank the form of Bear Rock when I tipped him up in one of the weekend Lucky 15 bets, as I do like Bear Rock for this race at Chepstow.
This horse has taken her form to a new level since moving into handicaps on turf, and I think her progression won't stop off a 3lb higher mark than last time out. On her previous start, she managed to beat 16 other horses at Haydock in a fairly solid race for the grade, and I liked everything about that performance. She was extremely game, stayed the trip out nicely, but also proved that she can handle big fields, which she also shows on his seasonal reappearance when finishing 4th/17 at Doncaster.
I don't think this race is as strong as her last race, but you have a couple of horses dropping down the handicap, but don't win too often, so I think siding with my filly is the way forward.
Seraphic 5/2 (1pt) – Chepstow 4.55
I'll be hoping that Hollie Doyle has a cracking 40 minutes or so at Chepstow, as she rides both of my selections on Tuesday, and I think she has a cracking chance of leaving with at least a double from the Welsh track.
Seraphic is a dual-purpose horse, and has managed to win over hurdles, the all-weather, and on the turf on the flat, so is a talented horse on his day. He managed to win on his latest flat start at Brighton over 10f on fast ground, staying on strongly to win with a fair bit in hand. He has only gone up 3lbs for that success, and I think the return to this slightly longer trip will be beneficial, and he is proven at this trip, shown by his sole win on the AW being over this far.
He is yet to win off a mark this high, but he is in superb hands with David Killahena & Grame McPherson, who know what time of day it is and train plenty of winners. The yard is flying at the moment, and has had three winners from their last seven runners in the last fortnight, so it's safe to say that their horses are in tremendous shape.
GambleAware