Quid Pro Quo & Deeper Blue stand their ground as 9 go to post for competitive Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle
6th October 2022 – An intriguing field of nine horses, all with previous hurdling experience, have been declared for the Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (G2) at Chepstow on Friday with the exciting Quid Pro Quo and Deeper Blue both confirmed for the race where over £28,000 is on offer to the winner.
The aforementioned pair are both chasing a third consecutive career success, with the JP McManus-owned Quid Pro Quo unbeaten in two starts over hurdles while the Harry Fry-trained Deeper Blue has been a wide-margin winner the last twice.
Scipion broke his duck at the fourth attempt at this track last time and is looking to follow-up that success, along with the Donald McCain-trained Presentandcounting who coasted home by 10-lengths in a novice handicap last time.
Paul Nicholls has a formidable record in this race with a record eight wins to his name and his six-year-old Outlaw Peter will bid to add to that. The field is completed by recent Worcester runner-up Accidental Rebel, Dan Skelton’s other runner Gentle Connections, Hector Javilex who drops in trip and the Four Candles Partnership-owned Legionar.
The Professor Caroline Tisdall Supports Heroic Jumpers Veterans' Handicap Chase is the second race on the card due off at 1:35pm. A field of seven have been declared, and among them is Some Chaos who will attempt to win back-to-back renewals of this contest for trainer Michael Scudamore.
The highest-rated horse in the line-up is Cloth Cap who had a mixed time of things last season but remains an interesting contender on his first start in a veteran’s chase. Broken Quest returns from a break and hasn’t finished out of the front two in any of his last four starts, while The Mighty Don returns to the scene of his sole chase victory. Forgot To Ask, Innisfree Lad and the Judith Wilson-owned Al Roc complete the field.
Elsewhere on the seven-race card, a field of 13 have been confirmed for the Chepstow Plant International Novices' Hurdle over two-miles, while the card is rounded off with a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle and handicap chase.
A small but select field of three runners have been declared for the Tom Malone Bloodstock Novices’ Chase which has now been moved to the beginning of the card.
The 137-rated Press Your Luck will represent Chris Gordon after a productive season in handicap hurdles last year, while Flash Collonges will be partnered by Harry Cobden on his first run since wind surgery. The field is completed by Art Approval, one of several runners at Chepstow this weekend for Fergal O’Brien who thinks the Welsh track is the ideal season starting point for his son of Authorized.
O’Brien said: “Art Approval will like the ground and he’s been jumping well. We’ll be very wrong on the ratings with those horses, but we know Art (Approval) is fit and well. We’ve got to start somewhere, and Chepstow is a lovely place to start.”
The seven-race card gets underway at 1.00pm with the final race due to take place at 4.35pm.
About Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse opened its gates in the early 1920's and has since blossomed into a bustling track that is home to the Welsh Grand National. From just a pretty park, this venue is now home to racing fixtures and music events throughout the year, as well as being available to hire for weddings, conferences and events.
For further information please contact:
Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk
Hugo Barran, JSC Communications on 07786 913215 or
