15:40 Chester

Sunday 4 August 2019

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

Parade With Aiden Byrne Handicap

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 2m 44.17s

(3)

Gossip Column⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| CD

4/1

Made all to win this last year off a 2lb higher mark (made all) the last of his four wins in 2018. Taken time to find his form this year (not always ridden forward); turned in a good effort to win at York in June, below form the last twice.

Form: 663174

(1)

Percy²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: Frank Bishop| OR: 80

33/1

Yet to find his form for this yard with his two starts not suggesting he's going to strike soon having failed to settle last time (slow away on debut). One-time useful performer (looks on the downgrade); handicapper agrees dropped 8lb in two runs.

Form: 309/2-76

(8)

Dark Lochnagar⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87| C

5/2

Took a step forward over 1m2f here last time appearing to revel in the testing conditions to score off 6lb lower (took advantage of an easy lead). Showed plenty of tenacity under pressure to hold off Gabrial The One; should be effective over 1m4f.

Form: 945621

(2)

Super Kid^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| CD

14/1

Disappointed twice since winning over C&D in June failing to appreciate the 2m trip on his most recent start. Win here showed how well suited he is by cut in the ground; still below marks he's won off before; capable if a return visit rejuvenates.

Form: 734165

(9)

Cape Islay¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85| CD

11/1

Resumed winning ways over C&D (weak race; well positioned) in June off a 3lb lower mark but has failed to build on that finishing last in both subsequent starts. The C&D win shines out like a beacon on her CV this year; comes with risks.

Form: 366167

(7)

Gabrial The One⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| CD

5/1

C&D winner whose run his last seven races here returning some consistent figures (1-11 here overall). Made Dark Lochnagar (had run of race) pull out all the stops last time (6lb better off now); hard to see him not running his usual solid race.

Form: 143522

(6)

Ice Canyon⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: K Frost| OR: 66| C| D

25/1

Course winner over 2f shorter last year who now starts life with a new yard having failed miserably to show anything like last years form in two starts this season. Back on last year's winning mark but needs to show more before being supported.

Form: 128708

(4)

Raven's Raft²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: D Loughnane| OR: 62| D

33/1

Both career wins have come on the AW and he's shown little in turf handicaps that would make him a leading player currently. Ran with some credit behind Cape Islay in June but failed to match that form back on the AW recently; a lesser light in this.

Form: 30-1P46

(5)

Hereby³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 72

9/4

Lightly-raced filly whose bred to be useful; showed that stamina will be her real forte when taking a Goodwood maiden (1m3f, soft) in June. Failed to get the test she needs last time (AW, 1m4f); may well benefit from this test on handicap debut.

Form: 613

Forecasts

Hereby (9/4), Dark Lochnagar (5/2), Gossip Column (4/1), Gabrial The One (5/1), Cape Islay (11/1), Super Kid (14/1), Ice Canyon (25/1), Raven's Raft (33/1), Percy (33/1)

Last year’s winner Gossip Column returns for another crack at this prize but he doesn’t appear in the same form this time around and he’s a year older facing some useful three-year-olds. It was that age group that filled three of the first four places last year and could do so again this year with HEREBY looking to get the stamina test that she needs going handicapping for the first time for a yard that do well with this type. Dark Lochnagar and Gabrial The One finished 1-2 over C&D last time and a 6lb pull may allow the latter to get closer to his rival this time at a course he knows very well although it won’t be easy to get past his old adversary if that one gets an easy lead again.