16:20 Chester

Saturday 13 July 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Walker Smith Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 2m 14.72s

(3)

Heart Of Soul^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| C

9/2

Gained his only win here over 2f further in May when market support, first-time visor and a soft lead in testing conditions brought about an improved performance. Well held in all three outings since over the same C&D; visor back in a bid to revive.

Form: 231567

(10)

Garden Oasis³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Danny Redmond⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| D

22/1

Haydock handicap winner last year over this trip for his former yard off a 6lb lower mark before shaping well on his stable/seasonal debut at Ripon (1m, good). Upped in trip at the same venue last time (below-par); faces an awkward draw.

Form: 4/412-50

(2)

Swift Emperor²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: R P Downey| T: T D Barron| OR: 78

9/1

Returned some decent efforts this year but the fact remains he's still without a win since December 2017 despite slipping well below his last winning mark. Nicely drawn; but has flattered only to deceive on more than one occasion; place claims.

Form: 0-72305

(8)

Redgrave²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: J Tuite| OR: 77

11/1

Slipped back to just below his last winning mark gained on the AW over 7f last autumn. Has shaped better than the bare result on a few occasions since then including last time over 1m at Haydock; travelled well, but met trouble, not certain to stay.

Form: 46-2036

(7)

Thaayer^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: R Menzies| OR: 77

25/1

Lightly-raced sort yet to race on turf who made a successful stable debut at Newcastle over 1m late last year. Easy to back in two AW handicaps since separated by a three-month break, last time over 1m2f, dropped 3lb, this test may prove too much.

Form: 331-67

(9)

Medalla De Oro^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 77| D

6/1

Not particularly well drawn for a front-runner; ridden far too aggressively last time over a trip (1m4f) that can test him in any case. Not quite firing for this yard despite a reduced mark; may appreciate dropping back to 1m2f; others appeal more.

Form: 965-560

(4)

Dragon Mountain²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 75| D

9/1

Would have been out of his depth last time and this type of event will suit him better although he's yet to win for this yard. Off a mark that makes him look no more than averagely treated he does at least have a decent draw to work with.

Form: 0-85330

(1)

Bit Of A Quirke^v¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: A Mullen| T: M Walford| OR: 72| CD

3/1

Gained his C&D win in this race last year off a 4lb lower mark from the same stall arriving on a roll from having completed a hat-trick with a Beverley win. Scenario very similar this time coming here off another Beverley win; major chance.

Form: 634221

(12)

Elhafei^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 72

33/1

Should not be judged too harshly on his recent stable debut having previously been with John Gosden, may well have needed the race. Still a maiden; faces a tough draw here but should stay this far; one for the Fibresand later on given his pedigree.

Form: 4/5827-6

(11)

Dark Devil^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67| C

9/2

On a long losing run but his last three starts have all given hope that he will come good soon particularly his last effort at Haydock (bumped into a progressive 3yo). Suited by this trip (he was fifth in this last year); course winner (7f).

Form: 867252

(5)

Citta D'Oro^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: J W Unett| OR: 64

12/1

Started the year well with a brace of AW wins (application of cheekpieces helping); proved himself on turf to a certain extent since over this trip at Haydock (good/firm). Best excused a poor AW run last time (badly drawn); not without a chance.

Form: 0-11739

(13)

Maghfoor^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 63

25/1

Decent seasonal comeback albeit in the lowest grade he's ever contested over this trip off a 5lb higher mark. Failed to live up to the vague promise he showed there in three ensuing starts, headgear returns; overall record (1-21) fails to convince.

Form: 68-3806

Non-Runners

(6)

Miss Sheridan⁵⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: M & D Easterby J: Nathan Evans

(14)

Valentine Mist²⁸

Weight: 8-2| Age: 7

T: James Grassick J: Sophie Ralston

Forecasts

Bit Of A Quirke (3/1), Dark Devil (9/2), Heart Of Soul (9/2), Miss Sheridan (9/2), Medalla De Oro (6/1), Swift Emperor (9/1), Dragon Mountain (9/1), Redgrave (11/1), Citta D'Oro (12/1), Garden Oasis (22/1), Maghfoor (25/1), Thaayer (25/1), Elhafei (33/1), Valentine Mist (66/1)

As usual at Chester gaining a good track position will be vital and last year’s winner BIT OF A QUIRKE looks to have hit the jackpot in drawing stall 1 off just a 4lb higher mark this time around coming here off another Beverley win. Course winner Dark Devil may be undone by the wide draw this time around while Miss Sheridan would be a danger if she could be guaranteed to stay this trip. Swift Emperor is another to have struck lucky in the Chester draw lottery but he’s not the easiest to win with often flattering to deceive. Citta D’Oro nicely berthed in stall 5 makes some appeal if you can overlook his seemingly poor run last time when badly drawn.