16:25 Chester

Saturday 16 September 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Ideal Recruit Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 2m 24.84s

(3)

Throckley^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: J J Davies| OR: 79

9/2

Opened up this year with two runner-up efforts over 1m1f and 1m4f respectively on faster ground but form has just tapered off slightly. Did win on heavy ground at Haydock last season so not ruled out from a good draw.

Form: 7-22700

(10)

Marsh Pride⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 79

6/1

Hit form towards the back end of last year but not returned in the same mood this time around, though was third from a 5lb higher mark here (soft) in June. Chances here on that form despite the wide draw.

Form: 744366

(2)

Vettori Rules²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 78| D

16/1

Successful three times in Italy but disappointing since joining this yard earlier this year. Handicap mark is falling as a result and well drawn, though others still more persuasive right now.

Form: 047877

(8)

Energia Fox⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| CD

20/1

Had the run of things when winning over C&D in May on much quicker ground and, though 3lb lower now, she arrives here a little out of sorts. Draw far from ideal and others look more likely.

Form: 144648

(7)

Bahama Moon²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 77| D

7/2

Mark has tumbled on the back of a fairly lacklustre campaign and is beginning to look interesting again. Won twice in testing conditions from higher marks than this last year, so would appear to have possibilities.

Form: 004376

(11)

Gabrial's Kaka²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76| C

13/2

All six of his wins have been gained at around 1m on quicker ground, so hard to work up too much enthusiasm over, particularly from stall 11. All that said, he's potentially well-treated if returning to anything approaching his best.

Form: 750357

(9)

Jabbaar⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: I Jardine| OR: 73

14/1

Beverley maiden winner for Owen Burrow last season but unable to add his tally in six runs for David Barron. Found 7f too sharp on his debut for this yard last week but more in favour now and is worth a look.

Form: 852367

(6)

Staff College³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ted Durcan| T: H Spiller| OR: 77

11/1

Signs of promise in French maidens on slow ground and shaped encouragingly on his debut for this yard at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) after a break. A potential improver on his handicap debut and one to consider.

Form: 33-74

(5)

Outback Blue^t,v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 71

8/1

Not proving easy to win with but generally consistent until a poor effort from a good draw over C&D (good) last time out. Had run a better race on easier ground here earlier in the month, so not dismissed entirely.

Form: 423347

(1)

Celestation⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75| C

8/1

Defied an awkward draw to win a 7f maiden on her only previous visit here a year ago but without a win in nine starts since, running particularly poorly the last twice. Questions to answer, though plum draw makes her interesting.

Form: 223370

(4)

Dutch Artist^b1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Josh Doyle⁽³⁾| T: A D Brown| OR: 69

25/1

Landed a 7f Catterick maiden when trained by David O'Meara, but was held in a long list of handicaps. Didn't appear to stay 1m4f on his debut for this yard at Ripon recently and blinkers are now reached for.

Form: 200350

Non-Runners

(12)

Thistimenextyear³²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: R Spencer J: Jenny Powell

Forecasts

Bahama Moon (7/2), Throckley (9/2), Marsh Pride (6/1), Gabrial's Kaka (13/2), Thistimenextyear (7/1), Outback Blue (8/1), Celestation (8/1), Staff College (11/1), Jabbaar (14/1), Vettori Rules (16/1), Energia Fox (20/1), Dutch Artist (25/1)

An open-looking contest with various question marks surrounding most of these but the mud-loving BAHAMA MOON has been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper and could prove the answer on ground which will be to his liking. Much the same could be said about Throckley, whilst potential improver Staff College has to be of some interest on his handicap debut along with Celestation.