[fintron]

9.10 Chepstow

This six furlong sprint looks wide open and after Cheap Street and Minnola were pulled out this morning, fifteen will now face the starter. However, they are betting 5/1 the field and nothing appears standout. Paul Doe's mount Just Jimmy heads the market and is a course and distance winner. He was a close second in this grade over course and distance last time out for David Evans and infact drops in grade to figure here, however, he is the lowest rated runner in the field and may potentially be outclassed by one from further up the handicap. Bobhoe and Plumage share second favourtism at 7/1 but neither looks bombproof even if their positions towards the head of the market are understandable. Bobhoe won on fast ground at Salisbury last time out and has been raised just 2 lbs for that win. Dropping in grade he appears one of the more likely ones, whilst Plumage remains a thirteen race maiden but does have bits and pieces of placed form to hint a small handicap may be waiting for her at some point. However, the one that takes my fancy at the prices is Stuart Kittow's Desert Pride, a 14/1 shot with Sporting Bet. The yard have had a couple of decent priced winners in the past fortnight and have a super record at this track in recent seasons. Add to that the fact the top course jockey (Fergus Sweeney) is on top and already you could make a case for the horse even without going any further, however, when you do, the bet looks even more tempting. Last time out Desert Pride ran over course and distance and finished a respectable third to Cape Melody and Alisa Craig. Beaten by little over one and a half lengths, the gelding edged right inside the final furlong but hopefully the visor that is applied tonight can act as a corrective measure. The form of that race is working out respectably as the second and fourth were both tight seconds next time out in class 5 handicaps, whilst Desert Pride infact drops down to class 6 (0-65 level) here. He runs on the same ground, off the same mark, and hopefully the headgear can make all the difference.

14/1 Sporting Bet, 1 pt win