15:30 Chester

Saturday 26 May 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Trust Tech Handicap

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 3m 3.23s

(1)

Night Of Glory^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 89

8/1

Won a juvenile hurdle at Fontwell in February, but was back on the level when a fair sixth of 16 over 2m2½f at this venue last time. This shorter trip is not an issue and handicap mark has dropped 2lb.

Form: 025-106

(7)

Star Of The East⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| C

4/1

Progressive last season and showed he was as good as ever when winning an apprentice handicap at this track earlier this month. Has since finished second at Hamilton and is now 4lb higher than for that last victory. Stable won this last year.

Form: 14-4712

(9)

Humble Hero¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

6/1

Dual winner last season and returned to action at Ascot earlier this month when ninth of 14 over 1m4f. That run was probably needed so expect better off 1lb lower.

Form: 21410-9

(4)

Redicean⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: A King| OR: 86

4/1

Trained by David O'Meara when signing off last season with a win at Redcar and has since proved himself a talented hurdler for current trainer. Might well be capable of better on the Flat and underfoot conditions ought to suit.

Form: 640361-

(2)

Tor²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 85| C| D

20/1

Winner of four races, but has been out of sorts in three starts this year. Inching down the weights, but needs to improve on recent displays.

Form: 014-700

(11)

Kajaki^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A Mullen| T: K A Ryan| OR: 82| C

16/1

On the upgrade last season when he won at Catterick and this venue. Not at his best in two starts this term, but probably lacked stamina when beaten over an extended 2m at York on latest outing.

Form: 2215-59

(12)

Dark Pearl²⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 82

9/2

Won a Chepstow maiden last season and twice ran with credit in handicap company. Lightly-raced, he makes his seasonal reappearance after being gelded.

Form: 32137-

(5)

Precision²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: S Donohoe| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 80| BF

12/1

Progressive last summer, but was off the track for quite a long time before finishing down the field on his reappearance at Salisbury last month. Heavy ground may have been to blame and he can surely do better on this sounder surface.

Form: 07314-7

(8)

Gabrial's King¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| CD

14/1

Regular runner at this track who was a good second to Star Of The East on latest outing at this venue. Gets a 2lb pull for a neck beating and underfoot conditions should be fine.

Form: 47967-2

(3)

Angel Gabrial¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

11/1

Like stable companion Gabrial's King he is a frequent visitor to this racecourse. Three starts this season have not seen him at his best, but he could bounce back on this faster ground and off a reduced rating.

Form: 338-739

(10)

Hope Is High⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: John Berry| OR: 75| D

33/1

Rounded off last season with a hat-trick of victories, but the handicapper took his revenge and he has been well held in two starts this time round. Down 2lb, but has a bit to prove.

Form: 2111-56

(6)

Zenafire^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 67| C

66/1

Landed a 2m handicap at this course last summer, but has not performed to that level since. May find this ground on the lively side.

Form: 16458-5

Forecasts

Star Of The East (4/1), Redicean (4/1), Dark Pearl (9/2), Humble Hero (6/1), Night Of Glory (8/1), Angel Gabrial (11/1), Precision (12/1), Gabrial's King (14/1), Kajaki (16/1), Tor (20/1), Hope Is High (33/1), Zenafire (66/1)

Top weights Night Of Glory and Star Of The East, who represents last year's winning stable, look likely to be competitive, but they may be vulnerable to better-handicapped types and the one who fits the bill is REDICEAN. He was a revelation when sent hurdling and it may be that he has improved physically in which case he could be leniently treated. Precision is surely better than he showed last time, while grand campaigners Gabrial's King and Angel Gabrial can never be discounted at this venue. Humble Hero, Dark Pearl and Kajaki also have claims in an open handicap.