Five horses to follow from Chepstow's jumps season opener - including a Kim Bailey chaser with a link to Chianti Classico

Chepstow's two-day jumps season opener was a sign that winter is on its way and typically provided plenty of pointers for the forthcoming campaign. Here we pick out five horses to follow from the meeting . . .

Farland

3rd, division one of 2m novice hurdle, Friday

The Paul Nicholls-trained Farland was a beaten favourite in the day one opener but caught the eye in a never-nearer third.

It appears the majority of Nicholls’ runners will come on plenty for their first run and Farland, a half-brother to bet365 Gold Cup winner Minella Cocooner, will be seen to best effect when stepping up in trip.

The five-year-old can take a grip and may not be the easiest ride, but he has ability and should take all the beating in a novice hurdle next time.

My Louise

5th, 2m3½f mares’ novice hurdle, Friday

This dual bumper winner caught the eye when keeping on into fifth from an unpromising position under Marc Goldstein.

The Lydia Richards-trained mare left the impression that stamina will be a strong point on her first try at this trip.

The first two home had race-fitness on side but this was a promising return from My Louise, who ran through the line strongly and will be of interest if found the right opportunity next time.

Destroytheevidence

1st, 2m7½f novice handicap chase, Friday

Rebecca Curtis’s horses ran particularly well at the meeting and a final-fence error cost Haiti Couleurs in this event, but it was nevertheless a highly encouraging chasing debut from Destroytheevidence.

Kim Bailey won this race with Ultima scorer Chianti Classico last season and he looks to have another progressive novice chaser in this six-year-old.

Destroytheevidence (left): winner of the 2m7½f novice handicap chase at Chepstow on FridayCredit: Steve Davies

Destroytheevidence, a Grade 2 novice hurdle second last season, jumped and travelled well and looks capable of taking his form to the next level in this sphere.

City Of London

2nd, 2m juvenile hurdle, Saturday

Kerry Lee and owner Will Roseff were never going to miss City Of London, an unraced half-brother to stable star Nemean Lion, at the sales in May and he ran a tremendous race on his debut.

Kerry Lee: has a nice juvenile hurdling recruit in City Of LondonCredit: Edward Whitaker

City Of London belied inexperience against four horses who had plied their trade on the Flat to be denied only late on by odds-on favourite My Noble Lord.

The son of Nathaniel showed a likeable attitude from the front and looks a nice recruit at 38,000gns for connections.

Titan Discovery

7th, 2m3½f Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Saturday

Titan Discovery proved a flagbearer for Robbie Llewellyn last season and shaped promisingly on his return in the feature Silver Trophy.

Liam Harrison's mount caught the eye moving nicely into contention turning into the home straight before ultimately being well beaten.

The progressive six-year-old should come on for his reappearance, is versatile regarding trip and one to keep on side.

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