15:10 Chester

Sunday 4 August 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

MBNA Queensferry Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 14.91s

(3)

Major Jumbo²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| D

6/4

Smart performer (Group 2/3 placed this year) but wasn't up to Group 1 class last time. Should be quite at home in this company, capable over 5f and 6f with his best form coming in fields of this size; nicely drawn for a prominent racer.

Form: 1-23239

(10)

Merhoob²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: L P Keniry| T: J Ryan| OR: 101| C| D

25/1

Course winner when transferring his good AW form to turf finally over 5f in May capitalising on a good run of form. Failed to build on his last win in three subsequent runs the last here over 7f (never involved); wide draw a major hinderance.

Form: 731006

(6)

Reflektor²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 89| C| D

33/1

Course winner over 5f he looks to face a stiff task having only won once this year in handicap company over 6f at Wolverhampton. Acts on turf (especially soft) but last three wins have come on the AW; race conditions not in his favour.

Form: 814903

(9)

Angel Alexander⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 101| C

10/3

More favoured of the two runners from this yard but has been lumbered with a wide draw (won't make life easy). Had conditions/draw in his favour when romping home in a 5f handicap last time; unlikely to find such a favourable scenario this time.

Form: 811521

(1)

Vintage Brut^p⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105| D

9/1

Useful 2yo (won three times including in Listed company); yet to strike this year, only really running up to his best one occasion. Well below form last time (finished last) he's well drawn to take charge on ground he should enjoy if bouncing back.

Form: 01-7450

(2)

Gold Filigree¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 96| C| D

9/1

Useful sort in handicaps (won twice at sprint trips this year) she's generally been found wanting at this level until showing improved form last time. Not beaten far in a 6f Naas event of this ilk she still needs more despite a favourable draw.

Form: 121983

(5)

Rock On Baileys^b²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 91| CD

20/1

Found a return to handicaps much more suitable last time finishing a good second over C&D in a change of headgear. Previously a C&D winner she's at home around here a return to this grade may find her out though; others appeal more.

Form: 48-7002

(4)

Miss Celestial^p¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 97| D

6/1

Part of the stable revival when winning at Bath recently in a handicap she needs to prove she can cope with this ground. She does look ready for another crack at this grade though; nicely drawn if she can cope with some pacy types over 6f.

Form: 3418-71

(8)

Stay Classy²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Spencer| OR: 94| D

12/1

Prone to slow starts she ran well on the circumstances having started in that manner last time at York over 6f (Group 3). Both her wins have come on quick ground (some form on soft); stiff task from a wide draw given her starting traits.

Form: 122-905

(7)

Yolo Again²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89

50/1

Dual handicap winner on the AW this year she faces a very different test in this company having proved rather inconsistent despite the victories. No match for the principals in this grade at York last time (5f); draw not ideal, needs others to fail.

Form: 629716

Forecasts

Major Jumbo (6/4), Angel Alexander (10/3), Miss Celestial (6/1), Gold Filigree (9/1), Vintage Brut (9/1), Stay Classy (12/1), Rock On Baileys (20/1), Merhoob (25/1), Reflektor (33/1), Yolo Again (50/1)

Richard Fahey has won this in three of the last four year’s but has no representative this year in a race that should be run at decent pace. Major Jumbo placed in Group events this year will appreciate this ease in grade (he was only beaten a neck in this last year) but may get caught up in a pace duel with Vintage Brut and Gold Filigree from the inside stalls. Therefore, MISS CELESTIAL who was an impressive handicap winner last time at Bath is taken to gain some valuable black type for a yard firing on all cylinders. Angel Alexander was an equally impressive winner over 5f here last time but she isn’t as favoured by the draw this time around.