The feature contest on the card is the 2m3½f Class 3 Join The Vickers Customer Racing Club Handicap Chase (3:15), which has attracted an eleven-strong field. Tom Lacey's Nocte Volatus sits near the top of the handicap but can benefit from his recent return in a course and distance handicap chase. The eight-year-old appeared a little ring-rusty with multiple jumping errors but came home well in the closing stages to finish seven-and-a-half lengths second behind Al Dancer, who subsequently placed third in Sunday's Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Although Nocte Volatus has struggled with jumping errors in the past (fell or unseated three times during the 2021/22 National Hunt season), he made very few mistakes last campaign and a better round of jumping is expected on his second start following the summer break. He has won off considerably higher marks in the past and the gelding deserves his place near the head of the market.
WIN: NOCTE VOLATUS
Chepstow holds two divisions of the popular 2m3½f Class 4 Vickers.Bet Maiden Hurdle and the first (12:25) features the return of Paul Nicholls' impressive bumper winner Onethreefivenotout. Owned by the Stewart family, the Milan gelding caught the eye at Worcester on debut in October 2021, ridden prominently by Harry Cobden before hitting the front in the final furlong. Although the seven-year-old has clearly had his problems in the subsequent two years, he showed enough ability on debut to suggest a big run will be expected on his hurdling debut.
WIN: ONETHREEFIVENOTOUT
In the second division of the 2m3½f Class 4 Vickers.Bet Maiden Hurdle (12:55), Minella Missile makes his debut for trainer Evan Williams. The point-to-point winner is a half-brother to Jonjo O'Neill's Ultima Handicap Chase third Monbeg Genius, who was twice-successful over hurdles and won on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las. Although Evan Williams has only had one winner in the last fortnight, his last two runners placed and jockey Adam Wedge is enjoying a current strike rate of 25%, with three winners from the last fourteen days.
WIN: MINELLA MISSILE
Planned Paradise will be having his first start for the Christian Williams team in the 3m2f Class 4 Download The Vickers.Bet App Handicap Chase (1:30). Formally trained by Neil Mulholland, the seven-year-old finished off last season with a good third in a Perth handicap chase. Although the gelding has only won once over fences, he has finished in the frame over 50% of his ten starts and returns to a sharper test on seasonal reappearance. The yard haven't been in the best of form, which would be a concern, but it will be interesting to see how Planned Paradise fares on his stable debut.
WIN: PLANNED PARADISE
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: ONETHREEFIVENOTOUT
RACE 2: MINELLA MISSILE
RACE 3: PLANNED PARADISE
RACE 4: KYM EYRE
RACE 5: UNCLE ARTHUR
RACE 6: NOCTE VOLATUS
RACE 7: GAYE LEGACY
RACE 8: CAPTAIN BELLAMY
