Chepstow Friday Preview - 08/10/21

The first selection of the day comes in the two mile Novices' Hurdle and the horse that we have a key eye on is the Paul Nicholls trained Knappers Hill.

The five year old gelding last season was a bit of a superstar in bumpers winning all three of his events in good style, justifying his price tag of 155,000gns.

Starting his career off in October at Chepstow, he was a seven length winner on this card and then went to Ascot off the back of that in December and made it two from two in a much better Listed contest.

Having shown clear ability in both his starts he was sent to Aintree during the Grand National meeting and landed a hat-trick of wins in the Group Two bumper.

He sets the standard in this race and if taking to hurdles straight away he could be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Next up is the three miles Novices' Chase and although only seeing a small field going to post it sees a bundle of talent and we are siding with Threeunderthrufive.

The McNeilly owned gelding was a smart horse in bumpers that made the leap over hurdles last term and looked like a very talented stayer.

Racing five times he went on to win four events in good style between 19f and 24f only suffering his first defeat in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival when a valiant sixth.

He sets the form standard in this race off the back of his hurdles career and always looking like he has the scope to tackle fences he is an exciting prospect.

Another event over three miles is the Veteran's Handicap Chase and we can't get away from the JP McManus owned Geordie Des Champs.

The 10 year old was seen for the first time in three years last term having been off the track and slightly, struggled needing both his runs.

Given some time off the Rebecca Curtis trained gelding came back during this summer and returned with a win over hurdles at Ffos Las.

Last time out he made it 2/2 when narrowly taking a small runner handicap hurdle and although stepping back up over fences he is only 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

Can't be ignored making his hat-trick bid.

The feature race of the day is the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Chase over 2m 3 1/2f and we have highlighted Coeur Serein as the horse to back.

The seven year old for Jonjo O'Neill was seen four times last term over timber, finishing fourth of 12 on seasonal debut but since going on to land a hat-trick of wins at Warwick, Newbury and Huntingdon.

His latest event saw him see off a good field over a staying trip and although he is dropping back in distance for this event, his stamina could be the difference in this event.

Nice each way player.

The final runner of the afternoon for us is the Oliver Greenall trained Herbiers, who has gone from strength to strength of late and still sees himself feasibly treated for this event.

Having been a fair horse in bumpers he made the swap to hurdles last term and landed three of his five events, which sees his seeking a hat-trick in this event.

Having won well at Hereford in February, he then finished a good third at Newbury behind a nice type for Paul Nicholls.

Off the back of that he went to Ascot for a Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and won a very nice contest and backed that up at Sandown next time out when beating some progressive horses.

He is 8lb higher today than his last winning mark but does look an extremely talented type that should take it in his stride.