HARRY SKELTON: Chepstow Welsh Racing Festival Friday

We’re delighted to be back with the start of the Jumps season, with a busy day on Friday at Chepstow featuring plenty of runners, writes HARRY SKELTON.

Some will be looking to blow the cobwebs away on their seasonal return, while others head to the track with some strong chances.

⭐ HORSE RACING MARKETS ⭐

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FRIDAY

COOLTOBECARELESS & GOLIATH FLIGHT – 1:22pm Chepstow

Cooltobecareless ran well in a bumper here last year and then went on to win a bumper at Fakenham. He was a bit disappointing at Aintree in the spring, but I think he wanted a bit of a holiday by then. He has schooled nicely, and the ground will be no problem for him so I’m expecting him to run well.

We also run Goliath Flight in the opener. To be honest, we were a little bit disappointed with his debut bumper at Stratford, as we thought he was going to run very well. He was one of only two four-year-olds we ran in bumpers in the spring and hopefully he can put that well behind him. Obviously, he needs to show a lot more than he did that day, but I do think he is a horse with some ability and he’ll improve with experience.

DUTCH CORNER & SHORT SELL – 1:57pm Chepstow

Dutch Corner had a couple of good runs last year and then was a bit disappointing at Sandown at the end of the season. He’s done plenty of work and while he’s got to give a few others a few pounds with his penalty, hopefully he will run very well. After this he can possibly go chasing.

Short Sell was also disappointing in a bumper, but he looks a jumper in the making. As the season progresses, we think he will improve with experience. This is a good starting spot for him, and he will probably want to step up in trip in time.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY, KATEIRA, LISTENTOYOURHEART & LE BEAU MADRIK – 3:12pm Chepstow

We run four in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. I ride Le Beau Madrik and this looks a good starting place for him, on a galloping track over two miles. He’s won over further but to start over two miles at the start of a season is no issue. He was never quite right at Kelso when last seen, and I probably didn’t make quite enough use of him. I think he’s a horse that likes to get in his own rhythm. I expect him to run well, as he’s done plenty of nice work.

Knickerbockerglory has got to get out and get started, but he will be one who gets better when the rain comes further into the winter.

Kateira is probably high enough in the weights. She’s a little bit older now and hopefully, win, lose or draw, she’ll step forward for this run.

Listentoyourheart also runs. She won well at Windsor back in January, but struggled after that off her handicap mark. She’s got a nice racing weight now, so we’ll see how she gets on.

⭐️ Knickerbocerglory to win 3.12 at Chepstow – ? with starsports.bet

NORTH SHORE – 3:43pm Chepstow

It’s a very competitive Persian War, and our horse North Shore is one of the highest rated in there, and we like what we see at home. He’s new to us but seems very straightforward and has done everything nicely at home. Although he’s still a four-year-old, I think he’ll get this trip no problem. He’s ticked a lot of boxes with regards to his work coming into this race, and we’re very happy with him, so if his mark is correct hopefully he will be bang there.

TYPHOON WARRIOR – 4:17pm Chepstow

Typhoon Warrior had a few runs last year and ran okay. I think he still lacks a little bit of experience, but hopefully he can run well. I expect him to improve and hopefully go up in trip as the season progresses. He’s in good form at home and hopefully there’s more to come.

MOSTLY SUNNY – 4:55pm Chepstow

Mostly Sunny hasn’t been seen in quite a while, after picking up a bit of a niggling injury so it’s good to get him back out on the track. I expect him to come on for the run and hopefully this will blow away the cobwebs.

SHEEZER DIVA & BURNING EMBERS – 5:31pm Chepstow

Sheezer Diva ran okay in a few novice hurdles last year. We’ve done as much as we can with her at home. She’s a big mare and I think the run will do her good. I do like what I see. Hopefully she’ll be winning races before too long, but whether that’s here, I don’t know.

Burning Embers also runs. She has been slightly disappointing over hurdles so far. She needs to sharpen up a little bit and step forward from what she’s shown.

⭐ HORSE RACING MARKETS ⭐

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