Timeform Daily: Friday 16th January, Chepstow, 2.35

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 15 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Nine go to the post for the Jenkinsons Caterers 1st Choice For Conferences Beginners' Chase (4) over three and a quarter miles, says Timeform.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls fields Raffaello. He was likely to have won on his chasing debut here but for falling three out when in a length lead. He has been off over two years since that debut over fences and should progress provided he has fully recovered from a tendon injury.

Hills of Aran goes particularly well for A. P. McCoy and that partnership is reunited today. He also made his chasing debut at this course in December when finishing fourth to Wind Instrument just a week after contesting a Grade 1 over hurdles. He was outpaced by the leaders when in line for home that day and may do better.

Tank Top has finished runner-up on both his completed starts over fences, showing fairly useful form when three and a half lengths behind the idling Tricky Trickster in a steadily run novice handicap at Newbury on the latest occasion. He should have no problem with this trip and usually races prominently.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is enduring a quiet patch at present but the Naunton trainer will be hoping that The Cool Guy can get him off the cold list, however he was beaten a long way out in a Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham last time and has been let down by his jumping in the past.

Top weight Carnival Town and Nick Mitchell's Miss Fleur haven't shaped as if in much form of late, whilst Scobie Nail was well held on his chasing debut.

Both Catch N Drive and Premier Bleu make their debuts over fences, the latter having finished in the frame on all three of his completed starts in maiden Irish points in 2008.