17:30 Chester

Saturday 15 June 2019

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

Crabbie Whisky Handicap

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 2m 48.87s

(4)

Al Kout¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: H Main| OR: 87| D

11/2

Both wins to date have come on AW but has form on turf and was good second in soft ground at Haydock over 1m6f in October. 5lb higher here and should be better for recent Kempton pipe opener.

Form: 2220-19

(9)

Suegioo^v1⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| C| D

12/1

Doesn't win too often but famously landed Chester Cup here back in 2014. Good second in Chester Plate last month, but this much shorter trip has to be a concern. First-time visor applied in a bid to sharpen him up.

Form: 4665-27

(10)

Heart Of Soul^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Cameron Noble⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84| CD

9/2

Landed C&D apprentice handicap in heavy ground in May in first-time visor. Headgear seemed less effective when fifth here last time on good ground off 6lb higher mark and cheekpieces now applied. Bold show not ruled in the soft.

Form: 2-32315

(3)

Gossip Column⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| CD

4/1

Won twice here last season, including at this trip off 4lb higher mark. Appears better on decent ground so very soft conditions would be a concern. Step back up in trip should help the cause though.

Form: 75-0666

(8)

Tor¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 81| C

11/2

Runner-up in this race last year off 2lb higher mark and hinted he was on way back when staying on nicely at Hamilton last time. Good apprentice claims 3lb and handles conditions so looks a contender.

Form: 6-40784

(5)

Super Kid^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| D

7/1

Hasn't won on turf for nearly five years but hasn't been disgraced last two starts, including when fifth here last time over slightly further. Drop back looks right move but surface record is a concern.

Form: 68-6734

(7)

Marengo^b1⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 70| CD

10/1

Won twice here in 2016; once over C&D. Missed more than two years after and hasn't really shone in four starts back since October. Given chance by handicapper now and wears first-time blinkers, but has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 61/94-86

(1)

Ascot Day^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: J Quinn| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 68| BF| D

7/2

Won at Chepstow in May off 7lb lower mark and went close there agin last time. Handles soft ground and is in form. Interesting to see how he copes with this track from inside draw.

Form: 053132

(6)

Lady Natasha^t1⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: James Grassick| OR: 45

66/1

Yet to win in 20 career starts and has only poor form on turf over hurdles and on the Flat. Very hard to see her making any impression despite first time tongue-tie.

Form: 665806-

Non-Runners

(2)

Mercer's Troop³⁷

Weight: 8-9| Age: 4

T: A C Whillans J: Connor Murtagh

Forecasts

Ascot Day (7/2), Gossip Column (4/1), Heart Of Soul (9/2), Tor (11/2), Al Kout (11/2), Super Kid (7/1), Marengo (10/1), Suegioo (12/1), Mercer's Troop (14/1), Lady Natasha (66/1)

TOR looks to be on the way back after a solid effort at Hamilton last time and is handicapped to give a good account of himself. The trio of Marwan Koukash-owned runners (all trained by Ian Williams) provide formidable opposition, and Heart Of Soul may do best of the three, although a bold show cannot be ruled out from either old-timer Suegioo or Gossip Column. Al Kout is respected, and Super Kid isn't out of it either.