Chepstow Jumps Season Opener Day 1 - Persian War Novices Hurdle Day

It's been 7 long, painful, difficult months. But finally, at long last, we are back on a racecourse in a media capacity.

Well, one of us is! I am very grateful to Chepstow Racecourse for granting myself media access on behalf of JTW Equine Images. Jack is back at our HQ watching the racing from afar, and will be writing up the report later on the feature race of the day, the Unibet Persian War Novices Hurdle.

Which looks to be a cracker of a contest.

Favourite McFabulous may well be ending up in one of the Championship races at this years big festivals, given he is only a novice until November, but he could take a race in which his trainer has used the same route for another of his exciting racers of the past in Silviniaco Conti. He also used the 2018 running to give Secret Investor his last outing over hurdles as a novice hurdler before sending him chasing, so it remains to be seen whether or not he goes into contention for the Stayers Hurdle, or embarks on a career over fences.

The competition is stiff however, and not one to take lightly. Local trainer Ella Pickard sends her stable star Getaround, successful in the concluding bumper on Welsh National Day last year, in which the race would have needed to be run in miners hats if it got any darker, to mount a challenge and elevate the young trainer to new heights.

Leading cake enthusiast and also racehorse trainer Fergal O'Brien fields Courtandbould, a winner of his last race and with 2 further wins, a second and a third on his last 5 runs. This is far more of a test than what he has come up against before, but his trainer feels he deserves the chance to run here in such an esteemed contest.

Last year's winning trainer has pitched his hope in at the deep end for their hurdling debut, but they did the same last year with Thyme Hill in this contest and it duly paid off, scoring from Fiddlerontheroof, who runs in tomorrow's Robert Mottram Novices Chase. If he can follow the same path as his stablemate, it would be a superb training effort, and he would take high ranking in the betting for both the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

The undercard isn't looking bad either. The opening "Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow 4-Y-O Hurdle" looks an intriguing contest, with several of the main parties involved having contested the Fred Winter in March at the Festival. Langer Dan, Blacko ( who started favourite for the race ), Thyme White, Fraser Island and Group Stage all ran in the event in March, with Langer Dan coming off best. The favourite however is Vorashann, who is 8lb well in coming into this race, even though he won last week in fine style at Fontwell. He is the one to beat in the opener.

The following Mares Novices Hurdle has thrown up the likes of Posh Trish and Annie Mc in recent years, and a declaration of 9 fillies and mares aim to add their names to the illustrious list. Kilmington Rose bids to go one better than her debut behind the very smart and hugely promising Coquelicot in January, while the point to point winner Born In Borris in next best from the all conquering Colin Tizzard yard. Paris Dixie has joined the Seven Barrows stable since being seen last in February 2019, so there are plenty of chances for the next star mare to make their presence known.

The Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Novices' Hurdle Division 1 over 2 miles at 3:50 looks like a potential fight between the top two in the market in Flic Ou Voyou and At Large. They are 8/13 and 15/8 generally at present, with the next in the market around 12/1. The former brings the best form into the race, and Paul Nicholls will be keen to end his run of four seconds and a third with this horse this afternoon.

Division 2 of the above could see a very smart horse make their seasonal reappearance in Soaring Glory for Jonjo O'Neill and his son. A winner of two bumpers and a second behind the smart Israel Champ last season, he is reportedly a very exciting hurdler, with a lot of promise thrown on him if he can translate his bumper form to hurdles. Bravemansgame for Paul Nicholls is next best, though he was behind Soaring Glory on both occasions they met last season, and may well be set to see the rear of his rival again.

The Professor Caroline Tisdall Supports Heroic Jumpers Veterans' Handicap Chase sees the return of a favourite of the jumps scene, albeit in a different trainer than last season. Formerly with Gordon Elliott and now found with Dan Skelton after moving from N Pearce's yard, the former RSA Novices Chase Winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup third behind Don Cossack in 2016, Don Poli makes his yard debut in this contest at the age of 11. He has not shown much form under rules, but was successful in two points last season and if he retains his enthusiasm and talent, he may well give a good account of himself, very much similar to what drove dozens of fans to him in days gone past. His task won't be easy however, with the classy Shantou Flyer, former Scottish National winner Joe Farrell and What A Moment all potentially well handicapped in this sphere. A fascinating contest it is, no doubt!

Tom Malone is a master of sourcing winners, such as the incredible Envoi Allen, and the Tom Malone Bloodstock Novices' Chase aims to throw up a good one to head into the winter with. Current favourite is Ask Dillon, who has always been seen as the type to do well over a fence, especially as he is a winning Irish Pointer. Enrilo would appear to be his chief rival if the betting is to be believed, however he is unraced beyond 2m 5f, and this still, galloping track may just leave him plodding on behind. Ofalltheginjoints was behind Enrilo in the Winter Novices Hurdle, and may just make a better chaser than hurdler, so it is yet another good looking contest for this time of the season.

The concluding race is the iStadia Outdoor Led Screens Supports Racing Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase, and looks a fantastic opportunity for those young jockeys coming through the ranks to showcase their talents. Amateur from John Flint leads the betting, and several of these can strike a claim as well as the market leader. Kim Bailey's Illuminated Beauty has been third in two chases over 2m 4f and is on the grounds of things screaming for a return to 3 miles, which is over the trip he won his Irish point at. Ballybough Nora does stay 3 miles when in the mood for it, but might find some of these a bit too much for them. All in all however, a great looking finale to the day.

The going is Good, Good to soft in places, and we are all set for a fantastic way to say welcome back to the jumps. Once again hugely grateful to Chepstow Racecourse for arranging the media accreditation for myself, it is very much appreciated.