15:00 Chester

Friday 10 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Boodles Diamond Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 2m 16.83s

(3)

Restorer¹⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101| CD

7/1

Won this race last year and held his form well throughout the remainder of the campaign. 6lb higher for this year's renewal but conditions are fine and capable of going well again.

Form: 751742-

(1)

Aquarium⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| D

13/2

Generally very consistent but slow starts can hinder his chances and that has to be a big concern here from his inside draw. Honest sort and all ground seems to come alike so not without a chance.

Form: 850228

(2)

Frankuus^b¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

5/1

Two-time Group 3 winner who had been disappointing in two starts for this yard before shaping like a return to form was imminent at Ripon last time. Won't mind the ground and well-handicapped if he can build on that.

Form: 56/749-2

(12)

Banksea^h³³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 100| D

33/1

Hasn't won for more than two years and only just back on his last winning handicap mark. Has failed to beat a rival home in his last two runs and widest draw no help on his seasonal return here.

Form: 5/23374-

(5)

Epaulement²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 97| D

11/2

Progressive sort who got his head in front again for the third time in six starts at Ripon when making all. 3lb rise could prove very lenient for that and he's the yard's first string; should go well if he copes with these new conditions for him.

Form: 12412-1

(9)

Finniston Farm^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 96

14/1

Gained a first win since debut at Haydock in September but failed to build on that subsequently. Not disgraced on Doncaster return but needs to improve if he's to play a part here and Kingscote prefers Epaulement.

Form: 02176-6

(10)

Aasheq¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96| CD

5/1

Has four wins from 19 turf starts including a C&D success last year. Returned better than ever when winning at Pontefract on return and ran well in defeat at Epsom last time but perhaps at his best on quicker ground; draw not ideal.

Form: 2350-13

(4)

Genetics²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: A M Balding| OR: 94

10/1

Won three times in the space of four starts last year but signs the handicapper has caught up with him subsequently. Needs the drop back in trip to spark some improvement.

Form: 121105-

(11)

Dukhan³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 94| BF| D

10/1

Gained a first win since his juvenile career at Newbury in October but he was a very disappointing short-priced favourite at Pontefract on his return and ground this soft is an unknown; draw not ideal.

Form: 60731-6

(7)

Sputnik Planum^t³⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby| OR: 85| D

5/1

Has improved since joining this yard, losing his maiden tag at Chelmsford before improving again to win in good style at Doncaster. A 7lb rise looks perfectly respectable for that and likely there's more to come; leading claims with De Sousa booked.

Form: 4246/11-

Non-Runners

(8)

Third Time Lucky²⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 7

T: R A Fahey J: P Hanagan

(6)

Gossip Column¹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Aasheq (5/1), Frankuus (5/1), Sputnik Planum (5/1), Epaulement (11/2), Aquarium (13/2), Restorer (7/1), Genetics (10/1), Dukhan (10/1), Gossip Column (12/1), Finniston Farm (14/1), Third Time Lucky (20/1), Banksea (33/1)

SPUTNIK PLANUM is the unexposed one in the field and he could hardly have been much more impressive when winning at Doncaster last time out. A 7lb rise could underestimate his ability and he's the one to beat in what is a competitive race. Epaulement is a threat if he handles these conditions but Frankuus can be considered the main danger after hinting at a return to form at Ripon last time out.