16:20 Chester

Saturday 15 June 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

City Of London Gin Handicap

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 2m 18.96s

(7)

Aiya^h⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| BF

8/1

Both wins have come on the AW and turf profile suggests he prefers a sound surface. Raised 1lb despite modest run latest and appears to face a stiff task.

Form: 633-425

(5)

Humble Gratitude^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80

10/3

Finished second on two of his course appearances including last time where held every chance 1f out but couldn't quicken last 100 yards. Runs off same mark but very soft ground would be a concern.

Form: 257-562

(3)

Confrontational¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: J Candlish| OR: 80

11/2

Three wins this winter for former handler on AW at Dundalk at between 7-8f. Stayed on well when narrowly denied in soft ground at Nottingham over extended mile penultimate start and chance if able to reproduce that effort.

Form: 736329

(1)

Regular Income^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Quinn| T: A West| OR: 78| D

9/2

Handicapper took dim view of two good wins in early May at Pontefract and Nottingham raising him a total of 14lb. Eased back 5lb after two modest efforts but will need to bounce back to best to figure off current mark.

Form: 071164

(6)

Qawamees⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: K T O'Neill| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74

9/1

12-race maiden who went very close to wining on debut in soft ground for Ed Dunlop back in November 2017. Struggling prior to better run last time when hinted he may be ont he way back. Ground should suit and further 2lb drop makes him of interest.

Form: 2428-06

(4)

Dark Devil^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68| C

4/1

Last of three wins came here in heavy ground over extended 7f in September 2017. Had appeared on the down grade until much improved run last time when narrowly beaten over 1m2f at Beverley. Potentially well handicapped if back in form.

Form: 0-08672

(2)

Bit Of A Quirke^v1⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M Walford| OR: 67| CD

9/2

Visored for first time having responded fairly well to blinkers when second at Beverley latest. Clearly needs his mind focusing but is a previous C&D winner and has fallen to a winnable mark if he can be persuaded to put his best foot forward.

Form: 0-36342

Forecasts

Humble Gratitude (10/3), Dark Devil (4/1), Regular Income (9/2), Bit Of A Quirke (9/2), Confrontational (11/2), Aiya (8/1), Qawamees (9/1)

A trappy little handicap but a chance for QAWAMEES to get the better of the argument. He'd been out of form for quite a while prior to a much improved run last time and is now at the right end of the weights with soft ground to suit. Dark Devil may porve the main danger as he too appears on the way back, a comment that applies similarly to previous C&D scorer Bit Of A Quirke. Confrontational is also worth a glance having kept on over the extended mile last time suggesting this trip might suit.