17:00 Chester

Saturday 16 September 2017

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

Christmas Parties With Horseradish Catering Handicap

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 3m 33.23s

(3)

West Drive^v1³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 87| BF| D

9/2

Was winning for the third time when seemingly relishing the step up to 1m6f (good to soft) at Sandown in July but couldn't back that up off a 3lb higher mark at Ripon next time. A threat if galvanised by headgear change.

Form: 6-41515

(7)

Berrahri³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 85| C

4/1

Didn't quite get home over 2m at Ascot last time but had been in great form earlier, staying on well to win over an extended 1m5f here (good to soft) from a 6lb lower mark. Would need a career best to win.

Form: 322110

(2)

Sennockian Star⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85| C

12/1

Twice a winner here over shorter distances but has never won any race beyond 1m4f and has been largely disappointing since winning three times on the AW earlier in the year. Remarkably for a horse of his age, he is making his 100th appearance.

Form: 392606

(6)

Gabrial's King¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| C| D

14/1

Stays further and has won on this course previously but largely out of sorts since a winning reappearance at Thirsk in April. Abject effort over 2m here last time and has questions to answer on ground softer than ideal.

Form: 375479

(4)

St Mary's¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 83| C

5/2

Generally progressive and goes well on this track, having won for the second time in three appearances here when scoring over 2m (good) last time out. Has acted on testing ground, so merits consideration despite a 3lb rise.

Form: 4-18621

(1)

Plymouth Sound^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 79

20/1

Bits and pieces of useful form for Eve Johnson Houghton, notably a smooth win on the AW over 1m3f in June, but struggled at Bath on his debut for this yard last month. Testing conditions a concern and not the yard's best hope.

Form: 424617

(9)

Kajaki^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 79| D

9/2

Reappeared to score at Catterick (1m6f, good to firm) in April but proving tricky to win with since despite not doing a lot wrong. Good second behind a well-handicapped sort at Newmarket last time but unproven in these conditions.

Form: 182222

(8)

Nabhan^p,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 78| D

20/1

Thorough stayer, having even won on soft ground over hurdles, and scored nicely over 1m6f Ffos Las (good) in July from a 6lb lower mark. Needs forgiving a lifeless effort at Chepstow last time but a threat if it all came together.

Form: 964120

(5)

Gabrial's Star^b¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| C| D

14/1

Goes well in testing conditions and has won off higher marks in the past, though just one success from 11 previous visits here. A potential threat if able to recapture the form he was showing earlier in the season but recents efforts have been poor.

Form: 448406

Forecasts

St Mary's (5/2), Berrahri (4/1), Kajaki (9/2), West Drive (9/2), Sennockian Star (12/1), Gabrial's Star (14/1), Gabrial's King (14/1), Plymouth Sound (20/1), Nabhan (20/1)

Dual course winner ST MARY'S still looked to be on the upgrade when winning over 2m here earlier in the month and, given that she has handled testing conditions previously, it would be no surprise to see her defy a 3lb rise over a slightly shorter trip. West Drive ran too bad to be true last time but a change of headgear could easily revitalise him and he would be a threat if reproducing the form he showed to win at Sandown previously. Berrahi and Nabhan would also be dangerous if putting their best foot forward.