15:00 Chester

Wednesday 10 May 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

Boodles Diamond Handicap

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 59.17s

(5)

Spring Loaded¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Joey Haynes| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 95

9/2

All nine wins have come over 6f and he has looked better suited to the AW than turf. Mark looks high enough all things considered.

Form: 06021-3

(2)

Taexali^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 93

4/1

Trained at Satish Seemar's yard when trained in Dubai but returns to current yard with a bit to find. Ran a fair race when fourth at Musselburgh two starts back but struggled at Navan last time and will need some relief from the handicapper before becoming of interest.

Form: 796462

(7)

Majestic Hero¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Spencer| T: R Harris| OR: 92

11/2

Progressive last year before losing his way a little but bounced right back to form this season, building on a promising effort on reappearance at Newmarket with a comfortable success at Epsom last time. 4lb rise is fair and there should be more to come.

Form: 2000-21

(6)

Confessional^e/s²⁰⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92

10/1

C&D winner back in 2012 and went close at Catterick towards the end of last season, proving that this sort of mark isn't beyond him. Would probably need soft ground to be seen to best effect though and has a poor record when fresh so probably best watched this time.

Form: 520725-

(1)

El Astronaute²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 90

2/1

Course winner well suited to a tight track and scored on two of his last three starts. Only 2lb higher for his recent win at Newmarket and not beyond the realms of possibility he can get an easy lead again from a handy draw. Should run well.

Form: 00410-1

(8)

Blithe Spirit¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Neil Farley| T: E J Alston| OR: 90

12/1

Four-time C&D winner and five-time course winner, has to be respected back here off her last winning mark despite not showing much on seasonal reappearance at Bath but never won having been drawn this high.

Form: 0600-08

(13)

Bossipop^b²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85

50/1

Hit and miss performer who has two wins from 17 starts to his name. One of those did come here towards the end of last season but not sure to be suited to the drop to the minimum trip and this draw is awkward.

Form: 2010-05

(10)

Ballesteros²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85

33/1

Two-time course winner with one of those over C&D. Won his last turf start off this mark but hasn't been as effective on the AW over the winter. Trainer and jockey have a fine record around here and handicap mark looks fair so not ruled out despite a less than ideal draw.

Form: 963060

(9)

Seamster^t⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 82

16/1

Won 14 races in his time and has returned as good as ever this season but his highest winning mark is 75 and he's likely to struggle in a race as competitive as this from a high draw.

Form: 342846

Non-Runners

(3)

Sir Maximilian⁹⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: James Doyle

(12)

Soie D'leau¹⁹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: Kristin Stubbs J: Non Runner

(4)

Reflektor³¹²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: Tom Dascombe J: R Kingscote

(11)

Powerallied²¹

Weight: 8-3| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

El Astronaute (2/1), Taexali (4/1), Spring Loaded (9/2), Majestic Hero (11/2), Sir Maximilian (11/2), Reflektor (7/1), Confessional (10/1), Soie D'leau (10/1), Blithe Spirit (12/1), Powerallied (14/1), Seamster (16/1), Ballesteros (33/1), Bossipop (50/1)

SIR MAXIMILIAN has been dropped to a lenient looking mark from the handicapper and he should get conditions to suit so he may be able to record his second win in this race. There was plenty to like about Majestic Hero's most recent run and a 4lb rise can see him remain competitive while Blithe Spirit has a formidable record at this course and shouldn't be underestimated.