Cosmic Connection and Lord Byron Set for Persian War Showdown at Chepstow

Friday’s jumps racing card at Chepstow is set to feature a high-quality contest in the Grade Two DragonBet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, headlined by the clash between Cosmic Connection and Lord Byron.

Trained by Chris Gordon, Cosmic Connection enters the feature race with a strong record, having secured three victories from four hurdle outings. His most recent performance saw him dominate the Novices’ Championship Final at Sandown in April. Although he is stepping up in both grade and distance, he remains a compelling prospect for the rest of the campaign.

Lord Byron brings an impressive novice campaign to the start, boasting a fifth-place finish in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and a fourth at Aintree. He recently improved on those placings by finishing behind King Rasko Grey at Punchestown. Having had a flat pipe opener last month, fitness concerns appear minimal for the runner.

Other contenders with place claims include North Shore, trained by the Skelton team, and Lock Stock, who is chasing a hat-trick.

In the early feature, the DragonBet ‘Welsh Champion’ Hurdle at 3:12 pm sees unexposed horses Le Beau Madrik and Captain Hugo go head-to-head. Dan Skelton’s Le Beau Madrik has taken readily to hurdles, suffering only one defeat in four starts. His recent victory at Haydock has gained boost from solid form, and he makes an appeal on his handicap debut ridden by Harry Skelton.

Captain Hugo, representing the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White team, is a three-time winner over obstacles. He ran credibly to take second in the Scottish Hurdle and is considered capable of further improvement.

Last season’s winner of this race, Celtic Dino, was ridden by Sam Thomas, who now fields Doctor Blue. Gibbs Island and Serious Challenge are also noted as riders to watch.

The 1:57 pm Wasdell Group Novices’ Hurdle features Saint Jeannais, who is aiming for a 2-2 record over hurdles. The Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained six-year-old won easily on his jumps debut at Bangor-on Dee and is regarded as a smart prospect with room for development.

Hive Runner, who won a Larkhill maiden point-to-point in February, is another to monitor on his rules debut for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard. Dan Skelton’s Dutch Corner, rated 117 from five starts, is considered a serious threat, while Sharu, making his first start for Carroll Gray, warrants attention.

Elsewhere on the card, Paddy Brennan rides King’s Scholar in the 1:22 pm race, while 11-year-old Opening Bid makes his debut for Joe Tizzard in the 4:17 pm event. Sheezer Diva makes her handicap debut for the Skelton team in the 5:31 pm race.

Action continues at Toulouse with Maintain supplemented for a Listed prize at 2:45 pm, followed by another Listed contest at 3:20 pm. At Keeneland, the Grade Two Sycamore Stakes takes place at 10:16 am. In France, K Sarra is saddled by Beckett and Chimes Of Thunder fields for Haggas in the 3:03 pm Listed race at Compiegne, while Lazzar and Merci Mille Fois, the latter for Christopher Head and Coolmore, compete in the 12:43 pm race.