The jumps season steps up a gear today with the first day of Chepstow's two day meet. The feature is the Persian War Novices Hurdle which looks a little weak this year and I would advise a note of caution against the favourite on his hurdle debut. I'm not entirely convinced with his bumper form last year and am keen to take him on here. There isn't much to go at but I do like the claims of COLD SOBAR for the Coltherd team who make the rare journey down to Chepstow for this. To me that speaks volume of what they think of his chance and with his form looking relatively solid I think he is worth a bet at 16/1. He's won two novice hurdles already and that experience will stand him in good stead today.
ALSAKIB might just be my biggest bet of the flat season today if the rain doesn't get into the ground. It's looking like it probably will which may hinder his chance although he handled it well enough at Goodwood I would much rather him on a sounder surface. I was very confident about him last time out when he hacked up at Ascot and I am certain he is a Group horse so despite being put up 9lb I have to be confident in his chance here. Andrew Balding has always rated him and I hope he can go some way of rewarding that faith today.
Chepstow 2.10 – Cold Sobar
Newmarket 3.35 – Alsakib
Saturday
The flat action tomorrow has a bit of an end of season feel to it and I am keen to swerve it. Instead I'm going to have two punts in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow. BLOW MY WAD was a progressive horse last season and connections felt he was good enough to have a crack at a Grade 1 at Aintree. He couldn't quite make that step up but I fancy him to have improved physically over the summer and if so he should be well in off his current mark. 7/1 is a fair price for a horse of his calibre.
Another who could be lurking on a good mark is MOLLYS OLLYS WISHES who arrives here after regressing slightly last season. However, she is now on a very handy mark if she recaptures any of her best form. She has won fresh the last two seasons so fitness shouldn't be a concern and although Harry Skelton has deserted her I'm hopeful she can run a big race.
Chepstow 4.15 – Blow Your Wad / Mollys Ollys Wishes
