16:20 Chester

Saturday 16 June 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 2m 13.6s

(4)

Mikmak⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

5/2

Gained a first win since 2015 on just his second start for this yard and looks very well-handicapped on his old form, up just 2lb for the win. Likely to be more to come for a yard in form and has leading claims here.

Form: 8029-21

(8)

Candelisa^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Barry McHugh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 79| BF

12/1

Gained a first win since 2015 in a seller at Redcar last year but struggled to land any sort of blow for his new connections and he's best watched at present.

Form: 5518-68

(9)

Fingal's Cave^h1¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: P A Kirby| OR: 76

14/1

Shaped with some promise at Catterick a couple of starts ago but has failed to build on that in two runs since and best turf efforts have come on softer ground than what he will get hear. Wears a first-time hood.

Form: 90-0470

(1)

Andok^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

9/2

Won his first two starts but has not managed to win since then and barely beaten a rival home in three runs this year and hard to fancy in current mood.

Form: 022-588

(2)

Dream Magic¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 74

14/1

Two wins from 17 AW starts and only raced once on turf when well beaten at Goodwood last year. Handicap mark looks a bit stiff at present.

Form: 172355

(10)

Maghfoor⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: E J Alston| OR: 74| BF

10/1

Won a Haydock maiden last year but yet to win or place in seven subsequent outings, including three for this yard. Weakened out of things tamely back at Haydock last time and hard to fancy from a wide draw down in trip.

Form: 477-053

(5)

Hats Off To Larry⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: M R Channon| OR: 73

5/2

Belatedly got his head in front on his ninth start, winning at Beverley last time and the way he stayed on suggested he would be suited by this step up in trip. Ought to run well for a yard in excellent form.

Form: 244-791

(3)

Ice Canyon^h1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Liam Jones| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 66

25/1

Yet to win a race in 18 starts and far too keen last time at Haydock. Has looked regressive in recent times and he's now tried in a first-time hood.

Form: 437707

(6)

Valdizar¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: Ian Williams| OR: 63

16/1

Well beaten on both starts in France and yet to shown much ability in two starts for his new connections. Out of the handicap here and others look more likely.

Form: 40-77

(7)

Just Heather^b³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 45

100/1

Yet to show anything in 14 starts. Hard to know why she's now tackling Class 4 company having shown nothing in claimers/sellers. 34lb out of the handicap and very easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 8676-68

Non-Runners

(11)

Zihaam¹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: R Fell & S Murray J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

Hats Off To Larry (5/2), Mikmak (5/2), Zihaam (3/1), Andok (9/2), Maghfoor (10/1), Candelisa (12/1), Fingal's Cave (14/1), Dream Magic (14/1), Valdizar (16/1), Ice Canyon (25/1), Just Heather (100/1)

MIKMAK still looks well-handicapped on old form and with the yard flying at present, he's hard to oppose. Zihaam would have to be considered after a facile success last time, though the draw (11) has made life tough for him. Mick Channon has been flying in recent weeks and it's conceivable that Hats Off To Larry can build on his first success at Beverley last time.