15:30 Chester

Sunday 5 August 2018

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

ESL Group Handicap

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 2m 39.18s

(6)

Jabbaar²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: P Makin| T: I Jardine| OR: 87| CD

8/1

C&D scorer this term and also run well in two other starts here finishing third on each occasion. Handicapper may well have his measure and carries welter burden today but sure to run his race.

Form: 731223

(1)

Gossip Column²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| C

15/8

Made great strides since switched to this yard winning three of first four starts this term before running too keenly in first try at 1m4f latest (Berkshire Royal ahead). Draw and easier track in his favour so worth another crack at the distance.

Form: 8-12114

(8)

Gabrial's King⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| BF| C| D

10/1

Five of his six runs this term have come here at up to 2m. On a long losing streak now but running well overall and handicap mark fallen sufficiently to think he is capable of getting a win before long.

Form: 248524

(4)

Venue⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 77| D

33/1

Only beat one home on return from 19-month absence at York last time out. Entitled to have needed that race but still requires a leap of faith to back him here.

Form: 11060/0

(7)

Indomeneo¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83

25/1

Won over 1m2f at Ripon but struggled in next three starts with 3lb more to carry. Gets 2lb back now and tries 1m4f for first time today. More needed but with the handicappers assistance he can at least be competitive.

Form: 061835

(5)

Berkshire Royal²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 83| CD

5/4

Won three of six this term including once over C&D. Continued progression when second latest in a strong Ascot handicap behind a potential Group horse. Still on the ascent and looks sure to take all the beating.

Form: 112412

(3)

Silver Character^v1¹⁸

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

11/1

Does most of his racing on AW although with fairly limited success. Not beaten a rival in two career turf starts which sets the alarm bells ringing. Wears a visor for the first time.

Form: 719528

(2)

Zihaam^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 67| D

20/1

Won a couple this year showing improved form. Latest second where trying to make all under top weight at Catterick was a good run and can't be dismissed despite this being a stronger race.

Form: 313182

Forecasts

Berkshire Royal (5/4), Gossip Column (15/8), Jabbaar (8/1), Gabrial's King (10/1), Silver Character (11/1), Zihaam (20/1), Indomeneo (25/1), Venue (33/1)

Andrew Balding's three-year-old BERSKHIRE ROYAL has done nothing but improve this term and he looks to have a good chance to win again here. Behind him at Ascot latest was Gossip Column but he too had been on the up and if he settles better here he ought to be in the shake-up again. Gabrial's King is much the oldest horse in the race but he likes it here and has shown himself to be competitive of similar marks this term.