20:05 Chester

Friday 28 June 2019

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

Close Brothers Handicap

Off time: 20:06 | Winning time: 1m 26.35s

(5)

Intransigent^v³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Dual course winner who has also been placed seven times around these bends. Nicely weighted if returning to last year's levels and this much easier than his last two outings.

Form: 3412-47

(8)

Dragons Tail^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 83| C

14/1

Both wins have come here over slightly further and when allowed to make the running. Down to a career low mark and positive signs last time, but will need to break smartly from stall 8 to gain a decent position on the short run to the first bend.

Form: 479-975

(1)

Queen's Sargent^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S H James| T: K A Ryan| OR: 81| D

5/1

Has been lurking on a good mark for a while now and his turn appeared near at Goodwood 19 days ago. Three of the last five winners of this were also drawn in stall one, but he failed to capitalise on this berth when favourite here in May.

Form: 022-304

(2)

Maggies Angel¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80

16/1

Had some smart form as a juvenile but has not scored since her debut. Down to a Class 4 for the first time and nicely drawn. Stable have a good record in this and she is worth a check in the market.

Form: 9688-06

(14)

Penwortham¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| CD

16/1

Has a good record here and last win came in this 12 months ago off 5lb higher when berthed in stall one. Fair effort from a poor draw here last time but out on the wing again this evening.

Form: 0-09564

(7)

Candelisa^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D Loughnane| OR: 77| D

6/1

Finished 9l behind Shawaamekh at York two weeks ago and 6lb better off here. Nevertheless a few of these look more attractively weighted at present.

Form: 67-1630

(10)

Oneovdem⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Pinfield| OR: 76

25/1

Scored over 1m at Wolverhampton in February. Has been consistent in better company off higher marks since, but improvement required in this company and he has not been helped by a wide draw.

Form: 2-21444

(9)

Sparklealot^p1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: I Furtado| OR: 83| CD

5/1

Made all over C&D last September and then went on to score at Goodwood. Handicapper has been in charge since so cheekpieces need to make a significant difference.

Form: 151-564

(4)

Critical Thinking^p,t⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 73| D

16/1

Has done all his winning on AW and 0-9 on turf. This looks tougher than he is used to and others make more appeal.

Form: 736785

(11)

Turanga Leela^b¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: J Mackie| OR: 70| C

14/1

Dual winner here over 6f off higher marks than this. Did not get the best of runs here two weeks ago when finishing well to take second. Stamina doubts persist, particularly given her draw, so her wily rider's track craft will be needed.

Form: 1-10222

(6)

Luzum¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65| D

11/2

Record at this trip on turf now reads 121 following last week's success. Up in class, but his record in Ireland suggests there is plenty of value left in this mark if conditions remain on the soft side.

Form: 008-621

(3)

Gabrial The Tiger¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69| CD

7/2

Has won here four times including this race in 2017 and arrives in good shape judged on his last two starts. Much better drawn than a fortnight ago when third in similar company.

Form: 469413

Non-Runners

(13)

That Is The Spirit⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: M Appleby J: Lewis Edmunds

(12)

Shawaamekh¹⁴

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: D Carroll J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Gabrial The Tiger (7/2), Shawaamekh (9/2), Sparklealot (5/1), Queen's Sargent (5/1), Luzum (11/2), Candelisa (6/1), That Is The Spirit (8/1), Dragons Tail (14/1), Turanga Leela (14/1), Intransigent (14/1), Penwortham (16/1), Critical Thinking (16/1), Maggies Angel (16/1), Oneovdem (25/1)

The most obvious chances on recent form belong to Shawaamekh, Turanga Leela, Penwortham, Dragon's Tail and That's The Spirit but neither have been helped by their draws. The last five winners of this were drawn 1-4 and two of them represented the Fahey/Dr Marwan Koukash partnership. Their main hope here,GABRIAL THE TIGER, will be coming out of stall three and is better drawn than when third here two weeks ago over an inadequate trip. The 2017 winner has most to fear from Luzum and Queen's Sargent, particularly should conditions remain on the soft side