Chepstow preview: Dolphin ready to Rock

Dolphin Rock bounced back to form to score last time out, and can make light of a rise in the weights to follow-up in the 1m handicap on today’s card at Chepstow (17.00).

The Richard Ford trained gelding took advantage of a huge drop in the weights to end a long losing run, when making all in the hands of apprentice Callum Rodriguez and digging deep to beat Glasgon in a 1m contest at Ayr on soft ground off a mark of 55.

Dolphin Rock has been put up just 3lb for that success, but the runner-up has come out and won since to give the form a solid look in the context of this low grade class 6 contest, so our selection remains very well-treated on the pick of his form.

Prior to that victory, the eight-year-old has been last successful in a class 4 affair at at Chester in May 2013 off a mark of 78 when trained by Brian Ellison, and he also posted some solid efforts last season in better grade contests than this.

Dolphin Rock’s proven form on testing conditions is another massive plus, and with 5lb claimer Rodriguez once again in the saddle the son of Mark Of Esteem looks weighted to take all the beating.

Bonjour Steve has a good record at the track, and can further enhance it with victory in the 5f handicap (16.00).

The Richard Price trained gelding has won twice at the Welsh this season, and also posted three really solid efforts to make the frame.

In the last of those successes, Bonjour Steve showed plenty of early dash before quickening nicely to beat Swendab by 3/4 of a length off a mark of 63.

The four-year-old now has to race off a career-high mark of 70, but has the services of top apprentice Tom Marquand in the saddle who is terrific value for his claim.

Marquand gets a great tune out of Bonjour Steve, and taking his claim into account the son of Bahamian Bounty still looks fairly treated.
The rain which has his the track is also massively in Bonjour Steve’s favour, and everything points to a huge run.

Selections:
14.00: Reflation
14.30: Indie Music
15.00: My Son Max
15.30: Abyaat
16.00: Bonjour Steve (NB)
16.30: Sarangoo
17.00: Dolphin Rock (NAP)