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Well it's finally here! The National Hunt season begins in the UK with the 2 day meeting at Chepstow now upon us. We've already seen a few decent horses coming out in Ireland with Minella Indo winning a grade 3 and Fascile Mode winning a novice hurdle comfortably at Punchestown, whilst Envoi Allen was beat at odds on at Gowran a few days ago. The new season is finally getting into the swing of things. I couldn't find anything for Day 1 af the meeting, so here are a couple of thoughts for Day 2.
Please note: there is a fair amount of rain around in the Chepstow area in the next couple of days so we will likely start on soft ground, bordering on heavy after a couple of races. Saturday looks destined to start on soft/heavy which may amount in a number of non-runners.
Chepstow 2.30
No bet but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Threeunderthrufive run well. First time wind op could prove beneficial for this gelding however he might be a horse who'll dog it in a battle. He will run his race however on his favoured soft ground, and if he runs well here, expect him to go close in the Badgers Beer chase at Wincanton in November. He is the type who will run his race and put there at the end of the race, it will all depend if he's allowed to dominate or if something eyeballs him.
Chepstow 4:15
An open Silver Trophy with the favourite Sonigino smelling like a Paul Nicholls winner. I'll pass on him despite his obvious chance and look for something with a bigger price. Blow Your Wad appeals but I wonder if he'll be very fresh on his reappearence, but there are 2 Irish runners that interest me TRONADOR has caught the eye running well on the flat this summer whilst his one run over jumps consisted in a decent 3rd at Bellewstown. He will cope with the soft ground and there are small bits of form on his flat runs that suggest he's in good heart to run well here over hurdles. An example of this is his beating of Youcrackmeup at Limerick who's improved 15lb since that beating. TRONADOR should run well here for Gordon Elliott with the superb Jack Kennedy coming over for the ride.
Another Irish runner caught my eye at a big price and despite having to lump top weight, WATCH THE WEATHER is a fair price at 33/1 given his recent runs since his wind operation back in May. A 9L winner of a handicap hurdle at Tipperary in July beating Shanwalla (went on to go close at Galway), he ran well at Galway in a listed handicap before Icare Allen. He might find it tough from the top of the handicap but I think he'll run his race and still has some more improvement to come.
Bets
Tronador- 1pt win @ 11/1
Watch The Weather 1pt ew @ 33/1
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