CHEPSTOW’S penultimate flat fixture of the year takes place tomorrow, and Caerwent trainer Chris Mason has most of his small string entered there.

He very rarely runs his horses on the all-weather tracks, and now that we are into the autumn, opportunities for them to compete locally on turf become increasingly limited.

Interestingly, Aquadabra, the only one to run on artificial surfaces, won two out of three on them. She is one of four he has entered in the five furlong race, any of which would have a good chance. His Gilt Edge could go for a four-timer in a six furlong race.

From the leading English stables, previous winners Severnaya and Toronado Queen set the standard if either take part in the seven furlong novices stakes. Arabian Moon, placed twice from two starts, both at Ffos Las, may make it third time lucky in the race for two-year-olds over the same distance.

The Groove, one of David Evans’ durable handicappers, won at Lingfield on Thursday for the fifth time since joining the yard a year ago. He began his career over hurdles but didn’t like them, and is much happier running on the flat.

In contrast, Atletico has been a very frustrating horse for the stable. Having paid good money for him a year ago, he has failed to win in 23 starts, but he is getting tantalisingly close to the winner's enclosure. He’s been in the first four eight times in his last ten races, and three of those have been narrow defeats in second place. The latest of them was at Kempton on Saturday, when beaten a short head. His all-weather rating has dropped from 103 to 76. He’s not a betting proposition, but surely his turn will come soon.

Evans’ best two-year-old, Good Vibes, was a disappointing sixth at Salisbury last week, running well below the level of form she showed when finishing third in York’s Lowther Stakes. She didn’t have a completely clear passage, but that is only a partial excuse. Perhaps the race came too soon for her.

Robert Stephens’ Street Jester was a ready winner of a staying race at Bath in July. He bolted and ran loose before the start of his next outing, so his fifth place that day can be discounted. Firm ground suits him and he could run in the final of the Bath Stayers’ Series on Sunday. However, he needs some of the better horses to be taken out, otherwise he would have to run from out of the handicap.

There is only a month to go before Chepstow’s Jump Season Opener meeting. Paul Nicholls normally does well there and among the horses he could bring is Posh Trish, who won at last year’s meeting. “She’s a big, strong mare who could prove high-class over fences," said the trainer.

“We might take her there next month for the two mile three furlong chase we’ve started a number of good horses in down the years.”

Stablemate Trevelyn’s Corn cost £400,000 and although he hasn’t pulled up any trees so far, wind surgery in the summer has apparently made a big difference. He is being aimed at the Persian War Novices Hurdle before going chasing.