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Chepstow 13:25 The final day of Channel 4’s racing coverage begins at Chepstow with a Class 2 handicap hurdle. The winner of the last three renewals is Awaywiththegreys who returns again to defend his crown and although his recent form isn’t anything to get excited about this has been the case with each of his previous victories here. A winner of five hurdles races, with four coming at Chepstow, he seems to save his best for this race. It would be no surprise to see him involved again today but given his form backing him comes with obvious risks. Of greater interest is his stablemate Court King who has won three from seven over todays’ trip including a ten length victory here at Chepstow last time out. This is obviously a tougher assignment but with three wins from his last five he arrives in great form and looks capable of making his presence felt. Dr Richard Newland sends Desert Sensation who has also won three from his last five. The trainer has only had three runners over hurdles in the last two weeks, returning two winners and a second, and has a winning strike rate of almost 30% when teamed up with Sam Twiston-Davies in the last twelve months. A winner on his only previous attempt over todays’ trip, he has to feature high on the shortlist. Rolling Dylan has made the frame in all seven career runs so far, finally getting his head in front over hurdles at the fifth attempt last time out. Placed in a Point-To-Point earlier in his career, the extra distance he encounters here should provide no issues however his best performances have come on soft or heavy ground so with conditions not guaranteed to suit his price looks a little on the short side. Desert Sensation (E/W) Court King (E/W)
Kempton 13:45 Nicky Henderson has won this race four times in the last nine years and has a great chance of another winner here with Altior. Unbeaten in all seven races over hurdles and fences, including a commanding performance to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, he will no doubt go off at a very short price and with a clear round of jumping should prove too strong for these….. although is hardly a betting propositon. The most likely challenge looks to come from Dan Skelton’s Stephanie Frances who has won four of her last five including her last two at listed level. He won’t mind conditions, has a 50% winning strike rate since going chasing and has a good record over the trip so at the prices is taken to chase home the hot favourite and potentially capitalise on any errors from the Nicky Henderson runner. Marracudja won his first two over fences but was no match for Altior last time out, finishing last of four. He has placed twice over course and distance over the smaller obstacles but was all out to win a class 2 handicap prior to disappointing last time out and may struggle again at this higher level. Stephanie Frances (E/W)
Chepstow 14:00 This could prove to be an informative contest with a number of exciting prospects on show. Defi Du Seuil has looked rather impressive in his three career runs to date and arrives here looking to make it a perfect four from four. His grade two victory at Cheltenham on penultimate run is the strongest form on offer and if he performs to that level again he will be tough to beat. Dino Velvet fell at the last when chasing Defi Du Seuil up the Cheltenham hill on penultimate run but made amends with an eight length victory at Sandown last time out. With only two runs over hurdles he still looked a little green and will no doubt improve as his experience builds however he didn’t look good enough to beat todays’ favourite when they last met and his price reflects that. The biggest danger looks to be Evening Hush who, like the favourite is also unbeaten over hurdles, putting in a commanding front running display to beat Castafiore by twenty lengths at Aintree last time out. Her trainer has a level stakes profit record of +£25.20 to a £1 stake with his runners over hurdles in the last three years here at Chepstow and at the early prices i’m siding with the Evan Williams runner in the hope he can steal a victory from the front. Evening Hush (WIN)
Kempton 14:20 This years’ renewal of the Desert Orchid only features four runners but with two of these previous winners it should prove to be a decent contest nontheless. Sire De Grugy won the 2013 renewal and was second last year, less than a length behind the mighty Sprinter Sacre. He has a great record at Kempton having won three and placed twice from five attempts, and proved he still retained all of his ability when running just a length behind Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek at the beginning of the month. Special Tiara was the 2014 winner and, although has finished behind the likes of Sire de Grugy, Sprinter Sacre and Gods Own since, he is still a top class performer and if he brings his ‘A’ game he could be a real danger here especially with the 10lbs he gets from the Gary Moore runner. Sir Valentino needs to find around five lengths with Sire De Grugy based on Tingle Creek running and was last of five in this race last year, but with Tom George and Adrian Heskin striking up a fruitful partnership in recent months the Haldon Gold Cup winner could capitalise on a below-par performance from either of the market principles. Special Tiara (WIN)
Chepstow 14:40 Mountainous has won this race twice in the last three years and Kerry Lee’s runners have made the frame in 70% of all runs at Chepstow in the last twelve months so despite being pulled up the last twice it would be no surprise to see her eleven year old get involved again here. Hennessey winner Native River will likely be a very popular choice and with stamina assured won’t mind the extra couple of furlongs he encounters here. A winner of two of his last three runs and with ground conditions likely to suit he looks sure to be involved at the business end of the race, however his price isn’t particularly enticing given top-weight and nineteen rivals to beat. Carole’s Destrier was only a half length behind Native River last time out and has winning form over the trip. Furthermore, he has won on his second outing of the season the last two years running so looks a better value option to the favourite. Given the depth of the opposition Onenightinvienna, Firebird Flyer and Milansbar are all worthy of a mention while Theatre Guide won last time out having slightly disappointing in the Hennessey and is another with an each way shout. Carole’s Destrier (E/W if 9/2+)
Chepstow 15:15 This race has been won by Venetia Williams three times in the last five years and looks to have another great chance this year with Aso. A decent second to Frodon at Cheltenham last time out and usually improving for a couple of runs, he would perhaps like a little rain before the off but has winning form over the trip and looks the class act in the race. Tornado In Milan has a good record over the trip and brings solid form to the table with two wins and four seconds from his last six runs. However he has gone up 4lbs for a second over course and distance last time out and is yet to get his head in front in four attempts at the course so could be destined for minor honours again today. Drumlee Sunset won a novice event on debut over fences, beating Aux Ptit Soins who won next time out, but was fifteen lengths behind the winner when second next time out and his last three victories have come on genuine good ground. Aso (WIN)
Kempton 15:30 More Bucks has gone up another 7lbs for victory over three miles at Sandown earlier this month and steps up in class for todays’ race, however with three wins and a second from four runs so far this season and with the Paul Nicholls yard in such good form he looks to be worth sticking with in the Channel 4 finale. Bally Longford attempts a three mile trip for the first time after finding his stamina tested over an extra two furlongs at Cheltenham earlier this month. Placed on both runs this season and with two wins from ten over fences he looks the biggest danger to the selection. Of the remainder Out Sam would be in with a decent chance on his best chase form but is yet to fire so far this season, Go Conquer has failed to finish on both attempts over three miles while Opening Batsman has made the frame in three from five at Kempton but has found winning difficult over this trip so for the winner we return to More Bucks. More Bucks (WIN)