19:30 Chester

Friday 28 June 2019

All17:5018:2018:5519:3020:0520:40

ESL Group Claiming Stakes

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 32.85s

(7)

Aces¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: F Norton| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94

7/2

Picked up back to back races a year ago and form has been mixed since. Officially rated 9lb inferior to Gabrial but the gap would close considerably if conditions turned quick.

Form: 00-4790

(1)

Gabrial¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99| C| D

6/4

Has been hard to place since his 2015 Lincoln victory but made the most of a good opportunity in a conditions race at Epsom last August. Very much favoured by the weights here but would not want conditions to dry out too much.

Form: 0-38530

(9)

Gymkhana^v1⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| D

16/1

Won two races in Ireland on bottomless ground - the latest in September 2017. Visor applied and theoretically dropped in class after two inauspicious runs for his new yard, but this is an above-average claimer.

Form: 9787-09

(8)

Domagnano⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C O'Donoghue| T: M Botti| OR: 85| D

33/1

Italian Listed winner has failed to beat a rival in both starts over here. Official ratings give him a chance should the return to turf prove favourable.

Form: 1426-78

(4)

Call Out Loud^t,v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 78| D

7/2

Runner-up in this 12 months ago and arrives in form having scored at Leicester 18 days ago. Faces no easy task at the weights but he looks less complicated than some of his higher rated rivals.

Form: 414331

(10)

Imperial State^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 78| D

10/1

No match for an easy winner in a Redcar claimer last week but it was a step in the right direction. Has every chance at the weights allowing for his capable rider's claim and he has gone well here in the past.

Form: 250-402

(5)

Zizum⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Ella McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: A Berry| OR: 37

100/1

Modest 19-race maiden finished last of 13 on last month's return. His official rating of 37 suggests there will be few in his rear view mirror crossing the line.

Form: 38760-0

(2)

Kalk Bay⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 9-0| J: Josh Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 75| CD

50/1

Virtually refused to race at Redcar a week ago after a two year break and even on a good day he would find this difficult.

Form: 10032/0

(6)

Mr Wing³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J Garritty| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 17

100/1

13-race maiden whose official rating of 17 indicates he should finish a long way last and not for the first time.

Form: 808000

(3)

Roller^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74| D

11/2

Failed to land a blow when fancied for another claimer on Friday. Extra furlong will help, but his two wins have come over a straight mile and he may give himself too much to do around here.

Form: 8060-63

Forecasts

Gabrial (6/4), Aces (7/2), Call Out Loud (7/2), Roller (11/2), Imperial State (10/1), Gymkhana (16/1), Domagnano (33/1), Kalk Bay (50/1), Mr Wing (100/1), Zizum (100/1)

GABRIAL looks a class apart and showed he retains plenty of ability when runner-up here in May. He would be giving weight to all in a handicap and will take all the beating providing conditions do not turn too quick. Aces looks the most obvious beneficiary should that prove the case, whilst Scott McCullagh's claim means Imperial State should not be far away. Recent arrivals Gymkhana and Domagnano have failed to shine and the reliable Call Out Loud may be a bigger threat if allowed an easy lead.