20:50 Chester

Friday 29 June 2018

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

Sportingbet Handicap

Off time: 20:52 | Winning time: 1m 24.65s

(9)

Intransigent^b1,h¹⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| C| D

16/1

One time very useful performer whose wins include here in listed company over 6f. Not the force of old and hasn't been seen since March but is interesting in first-time blinkers and drop in grade.

Form: 02-6898

(1)

Penwortham²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| CD

9/4

Two of four career wins have come here including over C&D. Ran well here penultimate start and was outpaced back at 5f last time. This is more his trip and has fallen back to within 1lb of last winning rating.

Form: 375-066

(8)

Magical Effect²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 80

13/2

Never won beyond 6f but may have better chance of staying 7f here than many straighter tracks. Fallen to feasible mark but trip is a genuine concern.

Form: 55-6555

(7)

Saint Equiano¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| BF| D

7/1

Likes to race prominently and this track may suit his style of racing. Good effort latest when close second at Ayr and runs of same mark with good jockey on board.

Form: 498-042

(10)

Misty Birnam¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: P Makin| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78| D

33/1

Placed in Grade 1 company over a mile in his native South Africa two years ago but has only beaten one rival in four starts since then. Dropped another 7lb since last run so could be well handicapped on old form but seems to have lost his way.

Form: 23/09-00

(2)

Harry Beau^t,v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 75| D

9/2

Progressive form this term winning two of his last four starts and only missed out by a nose at Chepstow last time. Up another 2lb but still looks a player from a good draw.

Form: 221012

(6)

Gabrial The Tiger¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| CD

9/1

Three-time C&D winner but never on ground faster than good and would ideally prefer a little give underfoot. 2lb lower than latest modest effort here and while a return to form is not out of the question, others make more appeal.

Form: 7513-08

(4)

Ginbar³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 80| C

11/2

Two wins from eight career starts, including a heavy ground success here over 6f last September. Still relatively unexposed but has never raced on ground this fast. Returns having been gelded and may not be far away.

Form: 3110-08

(12)

Chickenfortea⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 69| D

33/1

Both victories to date have come at Catterick, another sharp track. Poorly drawn for a front runner and may have to work hard to get to the front so will have to take a step forward from reappearance run to figure.

Form: 39816-6

(3)

Redrosezorro²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 68| D

12/1

Two wins at Catterick and one at Thirsk suggest sharp tracks suit. Been running well in defeat of late and is nicely drawn here with good apprentice claiming 3lb. Should be very much in the mix.

Form: 1-11235

Non-Runners

(5)

Fingal's Cave²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: P A Kirby J: F Norton

(11)

Baltic Prince²²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 8

T: A W Carroll J: George Downing

Forecasts

Penwortham (9/4), Harry Beau (9/2), Ginbar (11/2), Baltic Prince (6/1), Magical Effect (13/2), Saint Equiano (7/1), Gabrial The Tiger (9/1), Redrosezorro (12/1), Fingal's Cave (14/1), Intransigent (16/1), Chickenfortea (33/1), Misty Birnam (33/1)

This looks wide open and the vote narrowly goes to REDROSEZORRO who is in form and well drawn so has a sporting chance. Top weight Intransigent is interesting in first-time blinkers, and the likes of Saint Equiano, Harry Beau, Gabrial The Tiger and Baltic Prince are also contenders. It wouldn't surprise to see Penwortham and Ginbar also get in on the act.