Richard Fahey column on his Chester runners
Richard Fahey has enjoyed a good week at Chester and takes us through his runners there on Friday.
It was great to have a couple of winners for Marwan Koukash at Chester on Wednesday and we’re double-handed for him in Friday’s opening Crabbie's Earl Grosvenor Handicap.
Penwortham loves this place and is in great form at home. He's very fit for his reappearance and while as always he'll need a bit of luck around here, he loves the hustle and bustle of this place and should go well.
Rene Mathis seems to have lost his way at the moment, he's running badly for no apparent reason. He disappointed on the all-weather over the winter and again switched back to turf at Haydock last time. Perhaps this place will revive him but it's hard to be confident.
Forest Ranger looked to have improved when winning the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket. He's a big horse who has taken time to fully mature. We have to take it on trust he’s going to stay the trip in the Homserve Huxley Stakes but he looks like he will. I'm more worried about the unconventional track. Some horses love it, some hate it. I hope he’s in the former camp as he’ll go close if he handles it.
Gabrial is running in the race for the fifth time having been third once and fourth three times. It's a remarkable record for a remarkable horse. I’d take either finishing position again – for all I’d love to see him win it – as it looks a decent renewal.
Growl reappears in the LDF Conditions Stakes. I’m very worried about five furlongs around here for him but he is very, very well right now. It’s just a case of whether he can hang onto them and any rain would be welcome to slow the race down – although I’m not sure we’re going to get any.
Gabrial’s King is in great form. He tends to run his best races fresh and reappears in the YCO Apprentice Handicap. He is very fit and very well and has a great draw so everything looks in place for a big run.
Angel Gabrial won the Chester Cup in 2015. He’s not as good now but has been running ok at a lower level of late. He goes in the 188Bet Chester Plate Handicap. We know he likes the place and I hope he puts in a bold show.
Suegioo is another former Chester Cup winner who runs here. He’s down in grade and ability nowadays but we know he likes this place – which surprises me as he doesn’t enjoy being crowded in his other races.
We only have three Saturday runners which is a small team for us – but hopefully they all have chances.
Paramount Love is first up in division one of the DG Executive Cars Weddings & Airport Journeys Handicap at Nottingham. She's working well this spring and will definitely win races - it would be nice if this was one of them.
Mustaqeem has been disappointing. We really like him at home but we haven’t seen it on the track yet. He’s had a few niggly problems, nothing serious, and will hopefully bounce back soon. He runs in the Cliff Stud Rearing Winners Handicap at Thirsk.
Cameo Star is a cracking horse who I thought ran well at Beverley last time when he didn’t get much luck in running. He needs the breaks in the Mike Wood Memorial Handicap and will go well if he gets them.
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