In the 14:30 at Chepstow, Sophonie, with a drop back in class and a change of ground compared with her debut for the Tom George yard, still has plenty left to offer for new connections. This individual now looks well handicapped on her French form and won't have a problem with conditions, her best form in this country all coming on testing ground. Another attraction is the in-form Paddy Brennan getting the mount; he has an impressive 19% strike-rate over fences at Chepstow. Overall, Sophonie looks to have it in his favour today with market support to be expected.
We nip across to Nottingham for our second selection, which runs over an extended mile at 15:15. Nameitwhatyoulike was a winning favourite last time out over a sharp seven furlongs at Catterick on ground similar to what he's likely to face today. That represented a career-best effort for Mick Easterby's charge, one which was presumably anticipated given the market support he came in for. Despite running off a penalty today in a very open contest he should still have plenty in hand in order to stay on a winning curve.
Lastly we return to Chepstow, the scene of Royal Mile's latest triumph, and we think he can follow up in the 15:40. He certainly looks to be the pick of the field on paper raised just 8 lb for an easy success on his debut for David Pipe, the winning margin of less than two lengths very much belied by how he went through the race. Royal Mile was sent off with obvious high expectations by connections last time, certainly enough to lead us to think there's more to come even before interpreting the ease of his success last month.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Sophonie @ 2.8815/8 in the 14:30 at Chepstow
Back Nameitwhatyoulike @ 4.94/1 in the 15:15 at Nottingham
Back Royal Mile @ 2.166/5 in the 15:40 at Chepstow
