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Chepstow preview: Eagle can swoop to success

| 04.11.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

David Metcalf | November 4, 2015

The Eaglehaslanded has a progressive profile and looks the answer to the 2m 7f handicap on today’s card at Chepstow (15.20).

Trained by Paul Nicholls, the gelding won his sole start in a bumper and has gone on to land two of his completed starts over hurdles.

In the last of those the five-year-old overcame a seven month absence to beat For ‘n’ Against at Exeter 15 days ago.

The Eaglehaslanded idled when taking up the running three from home, and after a mistake two out rallied gamely to get up and score by a neck.

To me he was value for much more than the winning margin, and an opening handicap mark of 121 may seriously underestimate The Eaglehaslanded’s ability given that the runner-up is rated 120 and the pair pulled 25 lengths clear of the third home to give the form a solid look.

The son of Milan is also entitled to come on a bundle for that outing, and with the prospect of plenty more improvement to come The Eaglehaslanded can get the better of the favourite Sykes to land the spoils.

Imagine The winnings if Chat delivers

In the 2m novices’ handicap chase (14.15), Imagine The Chat can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles.

The Rebecca Curtis trained six-year-old is a lightly-raced sort who showed progressive form in three spins over hurdles last season.

In the last of those at Bangor, Imagine The Chat only had to be driven out to beat Echo Springs by 2 1/4 lengths.

The runner-up is rated 110, and the pair pulled 45 lengths clear of the third home.

That suggests the handicapper has taken a chance in allotting Imagine The Chat an opening mark of just 116, especially given his unexposed profile.

The son of Kayf Tara also has the size and scope to make up into a better chaser than a hurdler and, with an in-form Richard Johnson in the saddle, the JP McManus owned gelding can take this en route to better things.

Selections:

13.10: Drummond
13.45: Desertmore Hill
14.15: Imagine The Chat (NB)
14.50: The Gipper
15.20: The Eaglehaslanded
15.50: Leith Hill Legasi
16.20: Desert Retreat

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Author

David Metcalf

A lifelong Manchester United supporter, David has over 25 years’ experience in the media industry having worked for regional and national newspapers. He is a huge horse racing, football and greyhound fan and has done interviews on various radio and TV stations, including talkSPORT and Sky Sports, whilst working as a PR front man for a betting firm. David has also written for most of the top Premier League football fan websites, and produced a Cheltenham Festival guide with former eight-times champion national hunt jockey Peter Scudamore, MBE, after helping him to set up a syndicate for his trainer son Michael.