15:05 Chester

Saturday 30 September 2017

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

thembnateam Handicap

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 1m 32.6s

(1)

Captain Dion^p²^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85

13/2

Has the plum draw here and won't lack for race fitness having run a fine race to get back on the winning trail earlier in the week at Pontefract over 6f on heavy ground. Carries a penalty here but hard to rule out.

Form: 264701

(10)

Be Kool^v⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: B Ellison| OR: 84| D

9/1

His last effort at Galway was a sound one and he's already bagged a couple of 7f handicaps this year. Looks to be drawn a little wide here but conditions won't be a problem and you couldn't leave him out of the equation.

Form: 514163

(7)

Luis Vaz De Torres^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

10/1

A dual winner earlier in the season he clearly relishes this ground and trip having finished runner-up in similar conditions last time out. Looks as though he may well be the second string to the stable bow but not ruled out.

Form: 163642

(5)

Dark Devil¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| C| D

9/4

A winner here last time out over slightly further it's clear that testing conditions hold no fears for him and he should go well again. Only faces a 3lb rise for that win and quite nicely drawn again.

Form: 670631

(11)

Showboating¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: J Balding| OR: 82| D

40/1

Often very slowly into his stride which isn't ideal around here he looks vulnerable off this mark which is still above his last winning one by 4lb. Will need the pace to collapse to take a hand here; likely to have to come from off the pace.

Form: 611504

(2)

Worlds His Oyster^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 81

11/2

Turned in a very below-part effort on his penultimate start although he did bounce back last time out when running a better race at Beverley over a similar trip. Well drawn here and his mark looks workable and given a fighting chance in this.

Form: 474302

(6)

Dark Intention²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 80| C| D

11/2

Took a big field York handicap on her last start over 7f proving that she can handle soft ground although this will be more testing. Went up 6lb for that effort and might just need a little more improvement to cope with that rise.

Form: 543641

(3)

Roaring Forties²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 77| C

20/1

Has won around here so now worries about him handling the track although the softer surface isn't ideal and others are likely to cope with underfoot conditions better. Can be slow away and that's not ideal round here even from a good draw.

Form: 005252

(8)

Meshardal^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 76

66/1

Already enjoyed a very good season and often travels well in his races but all his wins have come over 6f and this trip remains one that will test him. Not quite in the same form as he was and drawn a little wide here and others are better fancied.

Form: 331788

(4)

Art Echo^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: A Mullen| T: J Mackie| OR: 76| D

22/1

Despite being in good form since joining this yard he does need to show a little more here to build on his three wins so far this year. Has work to do with Dark Intention on their York form of last time.

Form: 141750

(12)

Here's Two²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: K T O'Neill| T: R J Hodges| OR: 74| D

22/1

Could not be in better form at the moment having looked versatile on her three starts winning two of them and showing that she can handle ground like this. The outside draw tempers enthusiasm though and needs to produce a career best to win this.

Form: 327121

(9)

Gabrial The Tiger¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74| CD

16/1

Has won three times around here (twice over C&D) and clearly enjoys this unique test. Not really in the same form this year but because of that he's fallen in the handicap and now resides on a very dangerous mark if he finds his form.

Form: 832075

Forecasts

Dark Devil (9/4), Worlds His Oyster (11/2), Dark Intention (11/2), Captain Dion (13/2), Be Kool (9/1), Luis Vaz De Torres (10/1), Gabrial The Tiger (16/1), Roaring Forties (20/1), Art Echo (22/1), Here's Two (22/1), Showboating (40/1), Meshardal (66/1)

As usual a competitive Chester handicap it being rare that we don't get one where plenty have chances and that's the case here with DARK DEVIL being the one who looks to have the most solid credentials. Stablemates Luis Vaz De Torres and the very well handicapped Gabrial The Tiger also enter the mix. Dark Intention will need to step up again on the form she showed at York but can't be left out of this while Be Kool and the penalised Captain Dion could also make their mark in a tricky heat.