17:25 Chester

Saturday 29 July 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Stella Artois Cidre Handicap

Off time: 17:29 | Winning time: 2m 17.19s

(7)

Sound Bar^b1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80

12/1

Looked to be a likely improver switching to handicaps this year after taking a Newbury mile maiden at the end of last year. Quite well found in the market in three handicaps but has yet show his best and the blinkers are now tried for the first time.

Form: 921-926

(4)

Desert Dream^p1⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 80

13/2

His Windsor maiden win over a mile showed improvement from his previous starts but he failed to build on that run on his handicap debut at Musselburgh again over a mile. Had looked as though handicaps would suit so with the cheekpieces on for the first time he looks worth another chance.

Form: 7-515

(2)

Tamayef²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 77

6/1

Winner on his debut in an AW maiden his progression in handicaps has been gradual but does look vulnerable to an improver in this sphere although he does have a nice draw here.

Form: 14-442

(3)

Reverend Jacobs²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Georgia Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 76

15/8

Makes his handicap debut here after showing a lot of potential on his last maiden start at Haydock over a mile. Steps up 2f in trip here but does look as though he's going to make a decent three-year-old and his stable do well with this type.

Form: 67-2

(10)

International Law^b¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: B J Meehan| OR: 73

33/1

The Bath win in a mile maiden all appears a long while ago now with his four subsequent handicap starts looking poor. Ran far too freely last time out and might not get too much cover here and that could be a problem.

Form: 2-10758

(9)

Glenys The Menace⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 73| D

7/1

A dual winner last year she's steadily worked her way back to form this year and resumed winning ways last time out at Newmarket over this trip with the headgear left off. Should still be able to take a hand but hasn't been dealt a good draw.

Form: 1-43421

(6)

Alexander M⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 71| D

5/1

Usually aggressively ridden and is a consistent sort and finally got off the mark in a small-field classified event at Doncaster when 11/10f. Had the run of that race and might not find it so easy here although he should still run his race.

Form: 223321

(1)

Epitaph⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Ryan Tate| T: M Appleby| OR: 68

9/1

Yet to win a race and remains a maiden although he did show some useful form in handicaps in Ireland. Ran well on his debut for this yard last time out back to this trip and he remains of interest on his second start for this yard.

Form: 572253

(5)

Metronomic³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: S A Gray| T: P D Niven| OR: 64| D

33/1

A winner last time out at Beverley in a much lower grade than this but he does show that he has a will to win scoring on three of his last five starts. Has been ridden from or near the front on all his wins and may face some competition for the lead here.

Form: 315141

(8)

Critical Thinking²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 62| D

25/1

Only win to his name so far came in a claimer on the AW and this is much more challenging than that contest. Dropped 2lb from last time but may need a further drop in the handicap/grade before he can be considered again.

Form: 335034

Forecasts

Reverend Jacobs (15/8), Alexander M (5/1), Tamayef (6/1), Desert Dream (13/2), Glenys The Menace (7/1), Epitaph (9/1), Sound Bar (12/1), Critical Thinking (25/1), International Law (33/1), Metronomic (33/1)

This should be run at a good pace with a few here that like to go forward with Alexander M looking to be the best of that group. Epitaph has yet to win a race but looks capable of doing so and given his connections should be watched in the market. Desert Dream should be able to bounce back to form on his second handicap start but it’s REVEREND JACOBS who makes the most appeal given his maiden run last time out and going handicapping for the first time.