By Gareth James

Chepstow Racecourse’s first Flat meeting of 2024 arrives at the track on Tuesday evening, with a competitive seven-race card on offer for punters to get the new campaign at the track underway.

The meeting kicks off with a nine-runner Division 1 handicap at 5.40 and rounds off three hours later at 8.40 with a ten-runner handicap in class six.

The opener (5.40) will be held over the extended one mile distance and preference is for Mayz, trained by John Gallagher, second at Brighton when last seen and finishing in strong fashion to secure the runner-up finish.

Eye Of The Water was a very good second at Bath just over a fortnight ago and certainly enters this race as the main danger.

Race two (6.10) is another extended mile handicap in class six, this time in Division 2. Ravenglass is expected to be right in the mix off the back of a good second of nine at Bath 16 days ago but will need to defy a winless drought that stretches back to 2022.

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Ceilidh and Thoughtful Gift re-oppose here having battled it out at Brighton last time out and the former is taken to reverse the placings with the latter from that run on the south coast and provide the main danger to Thoughtful Gift.

The third race of the evening (6.40) sees seven winless runners take to the track for the maiden stakes in class five and Vingegaard makes plenty of appeal as a debutant for the Archie Watson yard and with Hollie Doyle on board.

Another newcomer worth keeping an eye on in this one is Bantz for the powerhouse William Haggas team and top jockey Tom Marquand at the reigns, a brother to a previous five furlong winner and half-brother to a winner over six furlongs.

The consistent Joy Choi should have the run of race four (7.10), a previous course winner who was second to another of the runners in this race, Under Curfew, last time out but is taken to turn the tables with Under Curfew carrying a penalty in the weights this time around.

Race five (7.40) is one for the sprinters with 13 runners set to head to the stalls for the 6f handicap in class five.

Our Flat Season Opener tomorrow sees the first qualifier in the new Chepstow Mile Series!

Horses that run in these qualifiers will be eligible to race in the final on 26th August for £30,000! pic.twitter.com/Af8nITzTYw

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) May 13, 2024

There are a few with chances in this competitive heat but preference goes to Connie’s Rose, who was narrowly beaten off this same mark last time out at Salisbury and is down in trip at Chepstow, which should suit her down to the ground.

The penultimate race of the evening (8.10) sees a big field of 14 runners take to the track and tackle the seven furlong class six handicap. Port Noir was a course winner here back in April and followed up with a third of ten in a Wolverhampton handicap 17 days ago so isn’t taken lightly here.

Nor is Letter Of The Law, who just ran out of steam to finish second at Brighton last time out and can get his first since 2023 at Chepstow on Tuesday.

Finally, the card comes to a close with the ten-runner handicap over the longer distance of 1m4f (8.40). Starfighter, third at Kempton in March, is fancied to go a couple of spots better here as he switches back to turf following an under-par effort at Newcastle last time out which a line can be struck through.

This is an excellent initiative by @Chepstow_Racing getting people involved and educated is the way forward. https://t.co/GkEmVSsy7M

— Ross Millar (@rosscojmill) May 9, 2024

Chepstow selections – Tuesday (via horse racing odds)

5.40 – Mayz

6.10 – Ravenglass

6.40 – Vingegaard

7.10 – Joy Choi

7.40 – Connie’s Rose

8.10 – Letter Of The Law

8.40 – Starfighter