5:05 Chepstow Tips

Risk De Pluie is proving to be something of a bargain buy, having changed hands for £2,000 four years after being sold at the 2019 Tattersall's sale for 7.5 times that amount. Patiently handled, and in 16 starts has fashioned a good record of 3 wins and 7 placings. I think he might be a bit more seasoned than most coming into this. The obvious danger is the Cheltenham scratching in the form of Kalista Love.

My friend Sean was a multiple winner of handicap hurdles last season, with his first win coming off a mark of 79 and his fifth win off 115. Starting over fences this season off a mark of 122, he has taken time to get competitive, and his latest chase off 114 was a third to the favourite Risk De Pluie over course and distance, beaten nine lengths. It was still not a perfect jumping display last time, but if he shows further improvement he can go close on nine pounds better terms with the winner.