17:55 Chester

Friday 29 June 2018

All17:5518:3019:0519:4020:1520:50

Sportingbet Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:57 | Winning time: 1m 32.04s

(8)

Prestbury Park¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82| C

10/1

Won two of his first three starts as a juvenile but has found life tougher since then. 3lb lower than latest disappointing effort and has to overcome the widest draw. Early pace should get him involved but not certain to see it out.

Form: 44-2545

(4)

Move It Move It⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Rowan Scott| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79

8/1

Eight-race maiden who was knocking on the door a number of times last term but failed to strike. Didn't show much on seasonal return but too early to write off just yet. Needs to get his act together though.

Form: 23024-8

(7)

Lord Vetinari¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

3/1

Respectable novice form prior to scrambling to first win at Goodwood latest, rallying to get back up on line. Should handle this track, yard in form, and has good apprentice doing the steering off 5lb higher mark.

Form: 65-2401

(3)

Poet's Dawn⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76

10/1

Won Beverley novice auction last year at this trip. Drops in grade after finishing last of 15 in decent York handicap last time following seven-month absence. 2lb lower and wil be fitter so not without a chance.

Form: 25224-0

(2)

Brigand¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 74

4/1

Landed 6f Chelmsford AW novice stakes in November and not disgraced on seasonal reappearance at Sandown over 7fr, tiring final 2f. Has to prove he stays this trip but 2lb drop helps too as does good young rider.

Form: 317-8

(1)

Red Force One^p⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 73

4/1

Six-race maiden who has shown enough to suggest he will land a race. Only beaten three lengths last time at Lingfield and runs off 2lb lower mark for yard that does particularly well here. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 24445-5

(5)

Gabrial The Devil³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72

5/1

11 races without success and never got into it on only visit here last term. Joined current yard last month finishing a creditable fourth at Nottingham 6f. Stepping up in trip and may well figure for top yard.

Form: 42-3274

(6)

Rockesbury¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 60

22/1

Ran unexpectedly well where in May having shown little previous form and was raised 16lb for finishing third. Last of 11 only start since and that might well have been a flash in the pan. Hopes rest on this track helping him along again.

Form: 96-6930

Forecasts

Lord Vetinari (3/1), Brigand (4/1), Red Force One (4/1), Gabrial The Devil (5/1), Move It Move It (8/1), Prestbury Park (10/1), Poet's Dawn (10/1), Rockesbury (22/1)

A tricky start to the evening but the vote goes to RED FORCE ONE who showed enough on his first start following a long break to suggest a race such as this could be just right for him. There are plenty of dangers, including Goodwood winner Lord Vetinari, Poet's Dawn and Brigand, while Gabrial The Devil runs for an owner who loves nothing better than a winner here and may do better over this longer trip.