15:10 Chester

Sunday 6 August 2017

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

MBNA Festival Of Football Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 3m 14.44s

(4)

Zenon²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Robert Tart| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 94| D

7/4

Winner on handicap debut last time in what was also his first race at this trip. Clearly highly progressive based on his recent form, and should have more to offer over staying trips. 7lb higher now but still has to be feared.

Form: 4-211

(5)

Mister Manduro⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

8/1

Beaten into second by a short-priced favourite at Ascot last time out having been running encouragingly prior to that. Needs to find more here but remains unexposed at staying trips and isn't ruled out.

Form: 294702

(1)

Here And Now²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87| C

7/1

Beat subsequent Group 1 winner Stradivarius at this course two starts ago but was a slight disappointment over C&D last time and needs to bounce back from that sub-par effort.

Form: 21314

(2)

Nadaitak^p1¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85

11/4

Ran a very nice race on handicap debut at Sandown last time to finish second (1m6f, good to soft). Had his ideal conditions here and a 3lb rise may underistimate the potential he holds to go very close indeed in this sort of company.

Form: 2312

(8)

Twenty Times¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 80

25/1

Has run plenty of fair races since switching to handicaps, but more needed now, especially given his handicap mark gradually increasing off the back of those sound performances.

Form: 34-5152

(7)

Tor⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

6/1

Not beaten far off this mark at Ayr last week, and still seems to be improving. Should handle cut in the ground, and has proven himself to be a consistent performer at this level. Demands close consideration.

Form: 623312

(6)

Cray^p²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: A Mullen| T: J D Bethell| OR: 74| D

25/1

Hasn't been running particularly poorly recently but may have found his handicap ceiling off his current mark, and others seem more progressive options in this field.

Form: 431626

(3)

Amelia Dream¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: David Egan⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 72

20/1

Has run well the last twice, winning at Leicester on her penultimate start before finishing second last time out, but has stamina to prove beyond 1m4f and still has to prove she can be effective off this mark.

Form: 443512

Forecasts

Zenon (7/4), Nadaitak (11/4), Tor (6/1), Here And Now (7/1), Mister Manduro (8/1), Amelia Dream (20/1), Twenty Times (25/1), Cray (25/1)

On the basis of his performance off this mark at Ayr last week, the vote goes to TOR, who has been particularly consistent of late and may yet find this trip to be his optimum. With form on ground softer than 'good' to further aid his chances, he should find this handicap mark and workable one and is taken to get his head back in front here. Zenon won on handicap debut last time and can give him most to think about, ahead of Richard Hughes' talented filly Twenty Times.