15:10 Chester

Saturday 27 July 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:5016:2517:0017:35

Magners Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 1m 2.31s

(3)

Gabrial The Saint⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Shane Gray| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| CD

4/1

Winner here last month, has since struggled in good company at Ascot and the Curragh but a bounce-back around this circuit wouldn't come as a major shock.

Form: 924100

(11)

Abel Handy²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Adam J McNamara| T: D Carroll| OR: 90| D

14/1

Runner-up over C&D last month behind Gabrial The Saint, is 2lb better off this time but faces a challenge from high draw.

Form: 410062

(2)

Orvar¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 89| D

6/1

Won three races last year and while below his best this campaign, there have been some signs lately of a change in fortune. Worth a second look.

Form: 770745

(1)

Angel Alexander⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 91| BF| CD

2/1

Bit to find with Gabrial The Saint and Abel Handy on C&D meeting last month (finished fourth). Possible excuses when second after going off favourite at Pontefract since and can go well now from decent draw.

Form: 2-81152

(14)

Venturous¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: T D Barron| OR: 87| D

20/1

In good form this year with two wins and a close third in a stronger contest at Ayr last time. The worry is that this hold-up performer will need things to fall right on this tricky circuit.

Form: 211883

(6)

Gabrial The Devil²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| C

7/1

As good as ever when scoring at Haydock (6f, good to firm) last time out. One of three in these colours for trainer Richard Fahey and could be best-equipped to go well having gone up 4lb.

Form: 989621

(7)

Acclaim The Nation^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: E J Alston| OR: 85| D

11/1

Bounced back to form with York third last time over this trip. Trainer has been amongst winners and lately and claims here if using his early speed to get in position.

Form: 212203

(13)

Powerallied¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Russell Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| CD

16/1

Loves it around here, with his last five wins coming on the Roodee, including early this month. Up 4lb here and could have been drawn better. Completes trio for trainer Richard Fahey.

Form: 0-50921

(5)

Canford Bay¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 83| CD

9/1

Defied a high draw to score over C&D last month (had Powerallied in second, has won here since). Fair run since at York and should have a say from favourable berth.

Form: 103415

(9)

Hawaam^b1³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: William Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 77| D

20/1

Appears at best with some give underfoot and only win came at Nottingham on soft ground. Blinkers are tried here but safest to oppose from high draw.

Form: 033257

(4)

Bellevarde¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: N Mackay| T: R J Price| OR: 76| D

16/1

Edged out in second spot by Powerallied over C&D this month; that was a better effort. Unlucky to be up in weights without a win and this looks a tougher contest.

Form: 177662

Non-Runners

(12)

Makanah²⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: Miss J A Camacho J: Non Runner

(8)

Just Glamorous¹²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: G Harris J: J Quinn

(10)

Excessable⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 6

T: T D Easterby J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

Angel Alexander (2/1), Gabrial The Saint (4/1), Orvar (6/1), Gabrial The Devil (7/1), Canford Bay (9/1), Excessable (10/1), Makanah (10/1), Acclaim The Nation (11/1), Abel Handy (14/1), Just Glamorous (14/1), Bellevarde (16/1), Powerallied (16/1), Venturous (20/1), Hawaam (20/1)

A wide-open sprint and Dr Marwan Koukash's colours are heavily represented with Gabrial The Saint, Powerallied and Gabrial The Devil in the mix for trainer Richard Fahey. The last-named looks best-placed here, having won last time out at Haydock and with his claiming rider offsetting most of the penalty. Abel Handy and Bellevarde have been behind the Fahey runners recently but can get involved in the finish again. CANFORD BAY has been enjoying a busy summer and defied a high draw to win here last month from Powerallied. Things didn't go his way at York since but, from a low stall, he can get back on track.