Chepstow Silver Trophy Meeting: Dave Massey’s Exclusive Preview
Dave Massey is back to preview Chepstow’s Silver Trophy Meeting as the new national hunt season looms over the racing calendar.
Silver Trophy Meeting (Friday 3.15)
The Grade 2 Persian War Hurdle has cut up quite a lot, with the front three in the market at the entries stage all missing, and it’s made it look quite a weak renewal, in truth. I’m willing to give Vincenzo a few more chances before I pull stumps with him.
I really thought he was going to make up into a quality novice hurdler last year after I saw him finish second to the equally-exciting Diamond Ri at Warwick in January, and whilst he ran to that level again at Ascot next time he didn’t really go on from it. However, wind surgery in February hinted there might be an issue, and indeed the fact he wasn’t seen out after his seasonal debut last October until that Warwick run in January also suggests there have been hold-ups along the way.
Bottom line with Vincenzo is, he’s a very good-looking gelding that I’m sure is capable of better if he gets a clear run this season. The fact he’s rocking up early on is one I’m taking as a positive sign all is well this time around and if so, he can get back on track with victory here.
Silver Trophy Meeting: (Friday 3.50 Chepstow)
Wayfinder might be the answer to the Veterans Chase, one of the most popular races over the two days, with plenty of old favourites lining up. None more so than The Two Amigos, who returns from over a year’s absence on a very good-looking mark, 2lb lower than when winning the Welsh National back in 2022. Nicky Martin has been among the early-season winners and despite the layoff, he was hard to totally discount, with the rain in the week a positive to his chances.
But it’s Wayfinder that catches the eye today. He often goes well fresh and that was very much the case again on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham last year where he was in good shape, and ready to go first time. He ran a solid third to Whacker Clan that day and ran just as well to be second here in the Welsh National Trial in December. That’s not his only good effort at Chepstow either, having won here on his seasonal reappearance back in 2022, and there’s a lot to like about his chances today.
Silver Trophy Meeting: Saturday at Chepstow
Silver Trophy Meeting (Saturday 2:10)
This looks open, but I’ve one eye on a few of Jane Williams’s runners early season, and Authoceltic is quite an interesting one here.
He caught the eye on debut at Exeter last November when running the future Triumph third Salver to seven lengths and although he couldn’t lay a glove on Salver when the ground was deeper for the Finale next time out, he still ran a race of promise and looked one very much being brought slowly along.
The problems with Jane’s yard last year are well documented, with rapeseed being grown near her yard being responsible for quite a few having respiratory issues and so I’m not going to be hard on Authoceltic not going on from that point, but he ran a nice enough race at Newton Abbot on reappearance last month, one that should have set him up for this.
He comes from a family Jane Williams knows well and has had plenty of success with. I’d be amazed if he doesn’t improve this season and a mark of just 106 looks very workable to start this season off on.
Silver Trophy Meeting (Saturday 3:20)
Tune In A Box was one of the most improved performers of last year, going from an initial mark of just 85 when scoring at Newcastle last November to opening this season up off 123 after running out one of the easiest handicap winners of the week at Punchestown at their spring Festival, the horse looking like it jumped in two out and cruising to an eight-length victory, barely coming off the bridle to do so.
It would be easy to think he’s had his fun now, but in truth he barely looks like he’s got going, and with the adaptability he’s shown to win over both 2m4f and three miles, there are still numerous options open to him this season. As long as he’s fit and ready to go on seasonal debut, he can go close here. Others I’ve an eye on for this season – the good-looking Vincenzo, who ran an excellent second to Diamond Ri at Warwick back in January but never hit the heights I thought he might after that. He’s had wind surgery and
By Dave Massey
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