17:35 Chester

Saturday 27 July 2019

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

Intilery Handicap

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 2m 24.92s

(2)

Dark Lochnagar¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Shane Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 81

2/1

Easily the best effort of the season when second at Hamilton (1m4f, good) a fortnight ago. 4lb higher for this and far from certain to be suited by drop in distance but still considered.

Form: 1-94562

(4)

Gabrial The One¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| C

3/1

Regular here, winning over extended-1m4f in May and consistent in four further course starts over variety of trips since. This seemingly just about as sharp as he wants it, however.

Form: 514352

(8)

Paradise Boy¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 74

4/1

Shaped well enough in two starts here of late (behind Gabrial The One last time over longer trip). Win came over further than this and, overall, has something to find on form.

Form: 222434

(3)

Lola's Theme^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 73

10/3

Much more like it when beating all bar the favourite last time at Haydock over similar trip last week. Noted on the back of that effort and will be favoured should it rain (acts on soft).

Form: 8-54752

(1)

Better Than Ever⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: M Botti| OR: 73

7/1

Has run well enough in novice company without winning. Gelded ahead of this handicap debut and an opening mark of 73 is far from insurmountable. Watch betting.

Form: 432

(6)

Caramel Curves²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 50

50/1

0-9 now and form is not strong enough to warrant a pick racing from well out of the handicap. Up against it seemingly.

Form: 74-0799

Non-Runners

(5)

Norma⁴⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: J R Fanshawe J: George Wood

(7)

Little India²²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: Harrison Shaw

Forecasts

Dark Lochnagar (2/1), Gabrial The One (3/1), Lola's Theme (10/3), Norma (10/3), Paradise Boy (4/1), Little India (9/2), Better Than Ever (7/1), Caramel Curves (50/1)

This trip may prove on the sharp side for course regular Gabrial The One, while the same can be said of Hamilton runner-up Dark Lochnagar from his 4lb higher mark. Norma is surely better than she showed at Goodwood when well supported and Little India put up a decent effort having raced prominent at Haydock last time. There should be a race for her before long. LOLA'S THEME posted an improved effort at Haydock eight days ago and could gain a first win of 2019 here, with any rain a positive for Tom Dascombe's filly.