'He looks to have a favourite's chance' - Fergal O'Brien out to extend fine record in Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow

The last eight runnings of this early-season highlight have been shared between just three trainers, with Paul Nicholls winning four and Philip Hobbs and Fergal O’Brien two each.

Nicholls had the highly regarded Teeshan entered at the five-day stage but has opted not to run him and is not represented, while Hobbs’s name is also missing from the declarations.

This should be easy then because Fergal O’Brien does have a runner and Ryan’s Rocket looks to have a favourite’s chance after recording back-to-back novice hurdle victories.

Those wins came around sharp tracks like Taunton and Kempton at about two miles, and he goes up significantly in trip at an undulating and stiff course, so it’s a different test. However, he is certainly bred to stay as a half-brother to three-mile winner Powerstown Park.

The big danger might be Intense Approach, who has Harry Cobden booked to ride and that looks significant because the champion jockey has had only three mounts for Irish-based trainer John McConnell for a winner and two seconds. A big run can evidently be expected.

Intense Approach is proven on undulating tracks, having won at Downpatrick and Kelso on his last two starts under Alex Harvey and Cobden is definitely an upgrade on the 5lb claimer.

Dan Skelton has never had a runner in this race and has a fascinating contender in Juventus De Brion, who is still a maiden but has run only twice over hurdles and is totally unexposed.

He was last seen finishing third behind the now 132-rated pair Pic Roc and Inthewaterside at Ascot in February and there is nothing rated higher than 130 in this race. That suggests Juventus De Brion could be competitive for a trainer going all out for his first championship.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Handlethekettle
He’s come out of his Worcester race well. He’s pretty green and inexperienced as you’d expect from a young horse, but I was very impressed with his first start. He goes there in good order and we're hopeful. It doesn’t look like a vintage Persian War – we’ve probably got to improve 10lb to win it – but there should be a natural progression from his first to his second run.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Juventus De Brion
This is a race we’ve had in mind for some time for him. He doesn’t have the highest rating in the race and there are other horses with lots of experience but the ground, track and trip are ideal and I would have to give him a fair chance.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Ryan's Rocket
We’re very happy with him. He came back early with this race in mind and fingers crossed he goes there with a good chance because it looks a good opportunity for him. He was very disappointing in his bumper, but he was second at Taunton before winning there. The owners have given him time and he’s a lovely horse.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Vincenzo
We thought we’d roll the dice in a graded race. The handicaps are going to be super competitive the next day. He won’t have to improve massively to be there or thereabouts and we’ve always thought he was a nice horse.

Michael Bowen, joint-trainer of Flying Fortune
She’s come out of her last race great and she’s in great form. I think the ground is a bit softer, but I’m sure she’ll cope with it. She’s got a 7lb allowance being a mare and she probably has the fitness edge on some of them because they’ve not run this season.
Reporting by Liam Headd

Read the rest of Friday's previews:

3.00 Newmarket: 'This looks a perfect spot for him' - analysis and key trainer quotes for a tightly knit Challenge Stakes

3.35 Newmarket: Can any of the Aidan O'Brien fillies conquer unbeaten Desert Flower in the Fillies' Mile? Key quotes for Friday's Group 1

3.50 Chepstow: 'He's been brilliant for the yard' - can 'legend' Francky Du Berlais provide Bowens with more joy in veterans' chase?

Unbeaten favourite might have Ballydoyle's measure - but 80-1 about this lively outsider is frankly insulting