15:00 Chester

Sunday 5 August 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:10

Caldwell Construction Queensferry Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 1m 13.49s

(7)

Perfect Pasture^v¹³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 108| D

6/1

Top rated runner but not seen since Doncaster win back in March. That probably due to his clear liking for soft going so the drying ground here has gone against him once more although he has won on good in the past.

Form: 90112-1

(2)

Kimberella²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 105| CD

4/1

Won this last year where there were only five runners. Busy campaign this term has seen him successful once but gone close several times too. Happiest when dictating matters so draw will be helpful.

Form: 317286

(1)

Major Jumbo²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 103| BF| D

9/4

Ultra consistent this term with one win and several placed efforts in valuable big field handicaps. All going seems to come alike to him and looks worthy of this opportunity to land some black type.

Form: 134233

(3)

Corinthia Knight³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 123| D

5/1

Prolific AW scorer although as yet not won a turf race. Set a very tough task latest in Canadian Group One but this more his level as past Listed winner. Enthusiasm tempered a little by turf record.

Form: 111199

(4)

Fighting Irish⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 105| D

7/2

Eighth but only beaten 2¾L latest in Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Group Two winner at two and placed at that level this year too so brings exceptionally strong form to the table.

Form: 11-5D38

(5)

Gabrial The Saint²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 96| CD

9/1

Landed a handicap double in May including one over C&D. Struggled in next couple of races and looks out of his depth here.

Form: 3-41189

(8)

Bahamadam^p1³⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 85| D

50/1

Best effort last term came when winning a class 4 three-year-old handicap first time out at Leicester. Well beaten in lone race this term and mountain to climb here.

Form: 63/1845-

(6)

Rajar^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: K J Condon| OR: 89| D

25/1

Not beaten far in two Naas Listed races but losing run now stretches back over two years and she is none from six at Stakes level. Place chances at best here.

Form: 2482-46

Forecasts

Major Jumbo (9/4), Fighting Irish (7/2), Kimberella (4/1), Corinthia Knight (5/1), Perfect Pasture (6/1), Gabrial The Saint (9/1), Rajar (25/1), Bahamadam (50/1)

This looks a good opportunity for FIGHTING IRISH who has been set some stern tasks but acquitted himself admirably. At this level he will take all of the beating, particularly in receipt of the three-year-old allowance. Main danger may well be Major Jumbo who will find this smaller field a welcome change to cavalry charges like the Wokingham which he finished third in. Kimberella won the race a year ago so mustn't be discounted and he would be especially dangerous if able to gain an easy lead.