16:40 Chester

Saturday 26 May 2018

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

RAS Ltd Handicap

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 2m 45.92s

(3)

Desert Ruler¹¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 84| D

5/1

Ended a lengthy losing sequence when winning back-to-back races on the AW at Newcastle in January. This is a different proposition, but he cannot be ruled out on the assumption he remains in the same form on his return to turf.

Form: 2229-11

(6)

Maghfoor²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: E J Alston| OR: 80| D

25/1

Became disappointing when trained by Saeed Bin Suroor last season and first start for current yard on seasonal reappearance at Haydock offered little encouragement. Plenty to prove off 2lb lower.

Form: 19477-0

(1)

Jabbaar¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Makin| T: I Jardine| OR: 80| D

5/2

Started slowly when a close third over C&D last time. Has been raised 1lb, but could be up to the task if getting away on level terms.

Form: 5-31373

(5)

Panko²²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: A M Hales| OR: 77| D

12/1

Not at his best last autumn when trained by Ed De Giles and starts out for a new trainer on his seasonal reappearance. The betting may be the best guide to his chance.

Form: 265606-

(2)

Fire Tree^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 76

10/1

Successful over 1m at Ascot last summer, but two efforts over the same distance this season have been below-par. Needs this longer distance to eke out considerable improvement.

Form: 1900-05

(4)

Be Perfect^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 76| CD

16/1

Not the most consistent of performers, but is capable on his day as he showed when runner-up at Wolverhampton two starts ago. Others have more convincing profiles.

Form: 00-9020

(9)

Epitaph^v⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 71| D

12/1

Consistent performer on the Southwell Fibresand since the turn of the year, but ran only a fair race on his return to turf at Newbury. Has a few questions to answer.

Form: 332244

(10)

Multellie²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Mullen| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| D

40/1

Losing sequence goes back to August, 2016, but his handicap mark has dropped accordingly. Recent form is not convincing enough to suggest a return to winning ways is imminent.

Form: 948-654

(7)

Monaco Rose^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67| D

8/1

Three good runs at this track last year and recent return to action at Wolverhampton was positive enough. Should be sharper for that run and is on the short list on his return to this venue despite being 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 35468-3

(8)

Heart Of Soul¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Shane Gray| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78

11/4

French import whose only run for current trainer saw him finish fifth of 10 in a 1m2½f maiden at this track. Goes up in distance in his first handicap and is an intriguing contender.

Form: 27-5

Forecasts

Jabbaar (5/2), Heart Of Soul (11/4), Desert Ruler (5/1), Monaco Rose (8/1), Fire Tree (10/1), Panko (12/1), Epitaph (12/1), Be Perfect (16/1), Maghfoor (25/1), Multellie (40/1)

Few of these hold any secrets from the handicapper, but the notable exception is HEART OF SOUL, who showed promise in two races in France before shaping quite well on his debut at this venue for his in-form trainer. He is low on experience, but he could be particularly well handicapped and is worth chancing. If he fails to deliver, Monaco Rose might be the one to be on, although Jabbaar also makes some appeal after a good effort over C&D on his latest outing. Desert Ruler could get involved if in the same form he displayed before his break.