Chepstow Preview: Fourovakind holds all the aces

Fourovakind has a good record at Chepstow and can cash-in on what looks a handy mark to land the 3m handicap chase there today (4.05).

The Harry Whittington trained gelding has run five times at the Welsh venue, winning once and finishing in the frame on every other occasion.

The success came in a handicap hurdle over 3m in testing conditions off a mark of 120, and Fourovakind backed that up with an excellent length second on soft ground in a 12-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter off 128.

The 10-year-old was also far from disgraced when 9th of 21 to Mickie in a valuable race at Newbury off 131, after which his attentions were switched to the larger obstacles.

Fourovakind has managed to make the frame three times in six starts over fences, and two of those placed efforts have come over course and distance.

The son of Sir Harry Lewis ran particularly well on seasonal reappearance at the track when a six length third to Smiles For Miles off 119, and that one has since gone on to score twice since and is now rated 133.

In the circumstances it was a cracking effort trying to concede 10lb to the winner, and Fourovakind is now able to race off a 1lb lower mark of 118.

It makes the selection look very well-treated, especially on his hurdles form, and a reproduction of that run would make Fourovakind tough to beat on ground which holds no fears.

Trainer Venetia Williams has her team in good form and Eastern Witness can provide her with another success in the 2m 4f handicap chase (2.55).

The eight-year-old is a lightly-raced sort who ran well at the track when fourth to Flintham in a strong looking 2m 4f handicap hurdle off a mark of 95 back in November.

Eastern Witness is now able to race off 9lb lower having shaped far better than the final finishing position suggests on chasing debut at Bangor last time out when fifth of seven to Bally Braes off a mark of 94.

Although eventually beaten 44 lengths, Eastern Witness raced with plenty of enthusiasm at the head of affairs in the 3m 1f contest until weakening three from home and the drop back to 2m 4f looks sure to suit.